Rooftop solar growth in India driven by policy and smart metering
India's rooftop solar expansion has been supported by net metering, smart meters, policy changes and financial incentives. The country aims for 500 GW of non-fossil-fuel capacity by 2030, with rooftop solar at 25.73 GW and about 4.2 million household connections. Utilities are working to simplify procedures and improve grid readiness despite regulatory and infrastructure hurdles.
Net metering rules date to 2013, but uptake grew after smart meters began rolling out in 2018. These devices handle prepaid, post-paid and net-metering functions and record power drawn from and sent to the grid.
India’s renewable capacity stands at 150.26 GW: about 110 GW utility-scale solar, 25.73 GW rooftop and 14.1 GW agricultural solar under a farmer-focused programme. Rooftop links have reached roughly 4.2 million homes, with Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra leading. The PM Surya Ghar target is 10 million installations by March 2027, against about 3.2 million now.
Households with suitable roofs could lower bills and earn credit for surplus power, while rural outreach may create local work through Solar Sakhis. Urban renters or those without roof ownership may benefit less. Utilities may face grid and procedural pressures as adoption rises. Subsidies and loans could make upfront costs less daunting, but outcomes may vary by state and infrastructure readiness.