Comparative Analysis of Solar Energy Generation across Key Indian States

The pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), represents a global response to pressing environmental challenges. As the world's fastest-growing economy, India plays a pivotal role in the global clean energy transition. Its remarkable expansion in renewable energy, especially solar power, is central to its commitment to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all. The five leading states in India's renewable energy transition, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, collectively dominate the nation's clean power infrastructure. Together, they account for 63.19per cent of the country’s total installed renewable electricity capacity, underscoring their pivotal role in India’s shift toward sustainable energy. Their influence is even more pronounced within the solar power sector alone, where they represent 73.17 per cent of the nation’s total installed solar capacity. This concentration highlights both the geographic and strategic centrality of these states in driving India's renewable energy agenda and achieving its national and international climate commitments. The analysis identifies three distinct developmental phases: early dominance by Rajasthan and Gujarat in 2014-18, the rapid ascent of Karnataka in 2018-22, and a phase of consolidated growth marked by Maharashtra’s strong surge in recent years. These divergent trajectories are examined through the lens of state-specific drivers, including policy interventions, infrastructure, and market dynamics. Notably, Karnataka’s exceptional growth, achieving the highest compound annual growth rate despite a modest start, highlights the impact of proactive state-level policy and regulatory support.