India solar capacity hits record growth in 2026

India's solar capacity saw significant growth in the first half of 2026, with the country adding a record 27 GW of solar capacity, representing a 49% year-over-year increase. Solar open access capacity also rose by 42% compared to the previous year.

While the push for a domestic manufacturing ecosystem continues through policies like the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), the industry faces challenges including a mismatch between module and cell manufacturing capacity, rising domestic cell prices, and financing constraints.

In the region of Jammu and Kashmir, solar installation lags significantly behind national trends. While India's total installed solar capacity has exceeded 164 GW, Jammu and Kashmir had installed only approximately 80 MW by early 2026. Experts suggest that rooftop solar may be a more viable solution for the mountainous territory than large-scale utility projects, which are constrained by land availability and the fragile Himalayan landscape.