India’s large-scale solar story began with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (NSM), launched in 2010. The mission set an ambitious target of 20 GW of solar capacity by 2022 and put solar energy at the centre of the country’s clean-energy plans.
Why the National Solar Mission mattered
The NSM was the first nationwide framework to promote both grid-connected and off-grid solar. It encouraged utility-scale solar parks, rooftop solar, and off-grid applications in rural areas. Tariff-based competitive bidding and incentives for manufacturers helped bring down costs and scale deployment.
From 20 GW to 100 GW and beyond
Targets were later raised to 100 GW of solar by 2022, with 40 GW from rooftop and 60 GW from utility-scale. Although the 2022 deadline saw mixed progress, India’s total solar capacity has grown to one of the largest in the world. States like Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Gujarat led the way with strong irradiation and supportive policies.
That early “solar inception” — the NSM and follow-on policies — set the base for today’s solar market in India and made solar a mainstream option for homes and industries.