Karnataka rooftop solar capacity crosses 600 MW

Karnataka has seen a notable increase in rooftop solar installations over the last two years. According to data from Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), 172.14 MW of rooftop solar projects were installed between March 2023 and July 2024, pushing the state’s total capacity past 600 MW. From April to July 2024, more than 50 MW was installed. In 2023-24, 121.82 MW of capacity was added, nearly double the 79.57 MW installed in 2022-23, marking the highest annual addition to date.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched a national rooftop solar portal in July 2022, simplifying installation and subsidy processes, which has driven the recent growth. The direct subsidy payment system has especially benefited smaller projects by cutting down on delays.

Despite this progress, experts argue that Karnataka is still not fully harnessing its solar rooftop potential. Rooftop solar accounts for only 4.3% of the state’s cumulative renewable energy projects, with 603.53 MW installed since 2014-15, out of a total of 13,863.47 MW of commissioned renewable energy capacity.

A key challenge is the lack of consumer awareness about the Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojna scheme. While MNRE has made efforts to promote the program, state-level promotion has been limited, particularly in rural areas, which experts believe is hindering further growth.