India achieved an impressive milestone by installing a record 1.9 GW of rooftop solar capacity in the first nine months (9M) of 2024, marking a robust 45% year-over-year (YoY) growth, according to Mercom India’s Q3 2024 India Rooftop Solar Market Report.

India’s cumulative rooftop solar capacity was 12.4 GW at the end of September 2024.

Here’s a look at the top five states for rooftop solar capacity additions in 9M 2024. Notably, two new states have entered the list this year, replacing some of last year’s top performers.

#1 Gujarat retained the top position for the largest number of installations in 9M 2024 at 38.1% of the total installed capacity, a 15.8% YoY increase.

The presence of a large number of installers in the state and high residential demand under the PM Surya Ghar were critical drivers for the capacity additions

#2 Maharashtra followed in the second position. The state accounted for 15.5% of the installations in 9M 2024, up 100% YoY. C&I consumers were the major contributors to the capacity added. The state allows C&I consumers with a contract demand of up to 5 MW to install rooftop solar capacity with net metering facility, allowing them to reduce their electricity costs.

The state’s rooftop solar adoption was primarily under the PM Surya Ghar program, which accounted for 62.9% of the capacity additions.

#3 Kerala moved up the list to third position. The state accounted for 10.6% of the installations, up by 13.6% YoY.

The state saw an increase in residential rooftop solar installations following the introduction of the PM Surya Ghar program. The state has increased the rooftop solar penetration from 75% to 90% of the distribution transformer capacity for renewable energy connectivity to support the continued growth of residential rooftop solar.

#4 Uttar Pradesh ranked fourth. The state accounted for 6.6% of the installations in 9M 2024, up 304% YoY. The capacity additions were primarily in the residential segment under the PM Surya Ghar program, accounting for 83.1% of the installations during the period.

The state has been pushing of rooftop solar adoption by government, semi-government, and other institutional Buildings. Uttar Pradesh New Energy Development Agency had issued a tender to add 50 MW of rooftop solar capacity on government and semi-government buildings under the RESCO model in Q3 2022, driving installations.

#5 Tamil Nadu ranked fifth, accounting for 4.7% of the installations in 9M 2024, up 104.9% YoY.

High electricity tariffs were a key driver for rooftop solar adoption among C&I consumers. This was supported by the waiver of network charges for rooftop systems. To boost residential rooftop solar installations, the state has exempted technical feasibility study requirement for systems up to 10 kW.