New Delhi, May 16: India added a record 15.3 GW of solar capacity during the January–March quarter of 2026, marking the highest-ever quarterly solar installation in the country, according to a report by Mercom India Research.
The installations represented a 143% year-on-year increase compared to 6.3 GW added during the same quarter last year, while also exceeding the 10.3 GW commissioned in the previous October–December 2025 quarter.
Large-scale utility projects dominated the additions, contributing 12.6 GW, or nearly 82% of total quarterly installations. Open access projects accounted for 21% of utility-scale capacity additions, reflecting rising demand for captive and commercial renewable power procurement.
Overall, India added 19.9 GW of power generation capacity during the quarter, with solar accounting for 77% of the total additions. As of March 2026, the country’s cumulative installed solar capacity reached 152 GW.
Utility-scale projects comprised 85% of the installed solar base, while rooftop solar accounted for the remaining 15%. Solar energy now represents 28% of India’s total installed power capacity and 55% of total renewable energy capacity.
Rajasthan continued to lead the country in utility-scale solar deployment, accounting for 32% of cumulative installed capacity, followed by Gujarat at 21% and Karnataka at 11%.
The report noted that Gujarat and Rajasthan together contributed nearly 80% of new utility-scale installations during the quarter.
According to Mercom, the record commissioning activity was driven by multiple factors, including upcoming policy deadlines and improved transmission infrastructure readiness in key renewable markets.
A significant catalyst was the impending implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II norms from June 2026, which prompted developers to fast-track project execution amid concerns over domestic solar cell availability and higher module procurement costs.
Project activity also gained momentum under the PM-KUSUM programme, alongside accelerated commissioning of open access projects ahead of the phased reduction in Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charge waivers.
Despite the strong growth trajectory, industry experts cautioned that grid and transmission infrastructure may become a critical bottleneck as renewable penetration rises.
Raj Prabhu said transmission readiness and power evacuation infrastructure are struggling to keep pace with the rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity. He noted that grid flexibility, storage integration, and curtailment management would become increasingly important for sustaining long-term growth in the sector.
The latest figures underscore India’s accelerating transition toward renewable energy and its growing role as one of the world’s fastest-expanding solar power markets.

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