India installed 29 gigawatts of new solar and wind energy in the first half of 2026, reaching a total capacity of 288 GW. Solar power grew by 43%, largely driven by government-backed rooftop schemes, while wind power additions saw a 16% decline. This growth is essential for India’s target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
India’s renewable energy sector saw a period of rapid growth in the first half of 2026, with the country commissioning 29 gigawatts (GW) of new solar and wind capacity. According to data from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, this brings the national cumulative renewable energy capacity to 288 GW as of June 2026.
Solar Sector Growth and Policy Impact
The solar energy segment was the primary driver of this increase, recording a 43% growth compared to the same period in 2025. Utility-scale solar projects accounted for 19 GW of the new additions, representing a 32% rise year-on-year. A standout feature of this period was the performance of the rooftop solar segment, which added 6.4 GW. This 104% jump was significantly supported by the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a government initiative that has encouraged residential adoption of solar power by providing financial subsidies.
Regional Leadership and Wind Power Challenges
Gujarat continued to maintain its position as a frontrunner in clean energy, contributing 7.6 GW of solar and 1.2 GW of wind capacity. Rajasthan followed with 6.6 GW of solar additions, while Tamil Nadu added 2.4 GW. While solar performance was strong, the wind power sector faced pressure, with new capacity additions falling 16% to 2.9 GW, compared to 3.5 GW in the first half of 2025. This slowdown in wind projects highlights the variable nature of infrastructure execution in the renewable sector, where delays in land acquisition and transmission infrastructure often affect project timelines.
Outlook for India's 2030 Energy Targets
With solar now accounting for roughly 56% of India's total renewable energy mix and wind making up 20%, the government remains focused on its 500 GW non-fossil fuel target for 2030. To meet these goals, the pace of capacity addition must remain consistent. Analysts estimate that India could add a total of 47 GW of new solar and wind power by the end of the 2026 calendar year. For investors, the long-term outlook for the sector is tied to the successful commissioning of large-scale projects, the stability of raw material costs for solar modules, and the ability of state distribution companies to manage the influx of renewable power into the grid. Future progress will depend on maintaining the current solar momentum while addressing the supply chain or policy-related bottlenecks that caused the recent decline in wind power projects.