India becomes world’s second-largest solar growth market in 2025, surpassing the US: IRENA
India’s total renewable energy capacity reached 250,519 MW by the end of 2025, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026. The country added more than 45,000 MW of renewable capacity during 2025, compared to a total installed renewable capacity of 205,390 MW in 2024.
The growth increased the share of renewables in India’s total electricity capacity to 42.8% in 2025, up from 38.4% a year earlier.
Solar leads additions
Solar photovoltaic (PV) remained the main contributor to India’s renewable energy expansion. Installed solar capacity rose to 135,159 MW in 2025 from 98,139 MW in 2024, reflecting an addition of about 37,020 MW during the year.
According to IRENA data, India added more than 37 GW of solar capacity in 2025, surpassing the United States, which added 34 GW during the same period. The report positions India as the world’s second-largest solar growth market.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said India’s solar capacity additions reflected the country’s accelerating clean energy transition and expanding renewable energy infrastructure.
Wind and hydro growth
Wind energy capacity increased to 54,511 MW in 2025 from 48,163 MW in 2024.
Renewable hydropower capacity, including mixed plants, rose to 56,299 MW, compared to 52,254 MW in the previous year.
Solid biofuels capacity stood at about 10,942 MW in 2025. The report noted that bagasse capacity was not separately reported and aligned closely with the overall solid biofuels figure.
Global renewable additions
Globally, renewable energy accounted for 49.4% of installed power capacity by the end of 2025, up from 46.3% in 2024.
The world added a record 692 GW of renewable energy capacity during the year, including 510 GW from solar alone. Total global renewable energy capacity reached 5,149,280 MW.
The report noted that renewable energy deployment remained concentrated, with China, the United States, and the European Union accounting for 79.5% of new renewable capacity additions in 2025.
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