As China Races Ahead And US Pulls Back, Can India Lead The Next Solar Revolution? | India News

Trump’s rollback of US renewables, China’s vast solar installations across the Tibetan Plateau, and a global shift in clean-energy leadership have redrawn the world’s power map. The United States, once a front-runner, is retreating under political reversal. China, by contrast, is racing ahead with an industrial strategy that has flooded the world with cheap solar panels and batteries.

Amid these shifting poles of power, a new contender is drawing attention, India, the world’s third-largest carbon emitter, stands at a decisive moment. China’s Talatan Solar Park now stretches across an area the size of Chicago, glinting in the thin air where sunlight is stronger. India’s entry symbolises a quiet but commanding shift in global energy leadership.

The United States, once the loudest advocate for clean innovation, is turning inwards, while China, with its colossal manufacturing capacity and relentless policy drive, has already built more than half of the world’s installed solar capacity.

India has now added renewable capacity faster than any other G20 nation over the past two years, and its deserts in Rajasthan and Gujarat are being transformed into hubs of solar activity. Where does that leave India- a country with abundant sunlight, soaring energy demand, and a 2030 target of 500 gigawatts of clean capacity?

India’s Rise In The Global Solar Race

India’s renewable capacity crossed 243 gigawatts earlier this year, more than half of its total installed power. The government aims to reach 500GW of clean energy by 2030, a target seen as both bold and pragmatic.

At the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, hundreds of thousands of panels reflect the midday sun, generating power for millions. These projects are not just about electricity; they symbolise the country’s growing confidence that it can be a global player in the clean energy economy. From public sector undertakings to private conglomerates like Adani Green Energy and Tata Power, investment is pouring into solar and wind. India has also started positioning itself as a manufacturing alternative to China, particularly after disruptions in global supply chains during the pandemic.

Can India Compete with China’s Manufacturing Dominance?

China produces around 80% of the world’s solar modules. This sheer scale has slashed global prices by nearly 90% over the past decade, helping make solar the cheapest power source in history. But it has also created dependency because India imports around 60% of its solar components from China. While that dependence enables rapid installation, it also exposes the country to trade risks, pricing shocks, and geopolitical strain. The IEA notes that India’s solar costs are now among the lowest globally, but its supply chain vulnerabilities could limit future growth.

To counter this, New Delhi launched a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of photovoltaic cells and modules. Progress, however, has been slower than expected. Analysts note that even with incentives, India’s current production meets only a fraction of domestic demand.

If India wants to lead, it must do more than install panels. It must control the supply chain that powers them.

Is Coal Still Holding India Back?

Despite the impressive growth in renewables, coal continues to dominate India’s energy mix. More than 70% of its electricity still comes from coal-fired plants. The sector provides livelihoods for millions and underpins economies in states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Coal India, the state-owned giant, is reopening mines to meet rising demand. Experts have argued that renewables cannot yet meet India’s rapid consumption growth. Energy experts agree that India’s transition is complicated by the need to expand access while decarbonising. Around 20 million Indians still lack reliable electricity.

What Are the Challenges For India?

Even where projects are ready, getting solar energy onto the grid is proving difficult. More than 50GW of renewable power is waiting to connect to transmission lines, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). India’s grid was designed for large, centralised coal plants, not distributed solar systems that send power from remote deserts to cities.

Land remains another friction point. Vast solar farms require acres of open space, often overlapping with farmland or community land. Developers in Gujarat and Maharashtra have faced protests over compensation and displacement. Some have turned towards decentralised options, rooftop solar and small community grids to reduce conflict and shorten project timelines.

Does India Have The Budget to Build For Solar Revolution?

India’s transition will require an estimated $10 trillion by 2070. While international investors see opportunity, financing remains inconsistent. High borrowing costs and state-level policy variations deter smaller developers.

Yet innovation is happening from the ground up. Companies like Husk Power Systems are building solar “mini-grids” across India and Africa, providing affordable electricity at half the cost of diesel. These systems power homes, pharmacies, and shops in regions where grid power remains unreliable. Such models show how private ingenuity can complement national ambition.

Can India’s Solar Ambition Translate into Global Leadership?

There are reasons for cautious optimism. Solar tariffs in India are now lower than coal in many regions. Rooftop and rural solar adoption is growing. The country’s leadership of the International Solar Alliance, headquartered in Gurugram, has given it diplomatic influence in the global clean-energy dialogue.

But challenges persist- slow transmission upgrades, dependence on Chinese imports, and entrenched coal politics.

The world is watching whether India can shift from being a fast follower to a genuine pace-setter. The path ahead will not be simple. Yet, in a world where the US retreats and China surges ahead, the opportunity for India to define the next solar chapter has never been clearer.