India has reached a major milestone in renewable energy by achieving 100 GW of solar energy capacity. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi shared this news on Friday, February 7, 2025. He emphasised the country's goal of reaching 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

"Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, India has achieved the historic milestone of 100 GW solar capacity. This achievement is powered by our relentless commitment to a cleaner, greener future," said the New & Renewables Energy Minister in a post on X.

Originally, India aimed for 175 GW of renewable energy capacity, including 100 GW of solar, by 2022. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions made this target difficult to reach.

From 2004 to 2014, India added only 2.82 GW of solar capacity. But since 2014, India has added an impressive 100 GW of solar energy, showing a remarkable increase in the country's commitment to clean energy.

Renewable energy comes from natural sources that are always being replaced, like sunlight and wind. These resources are abundant and can be used again and again. This makes them different from fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and gas, which take millions of years to form and cause pollution when burnt for energy. Fossil fuels release harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to climate change.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is one of the most available sources of energy. The Earth gets a huge amount of sunlight—much more than we actually use for energy. Even when it's cloudy, solar energy can still be used!

There are two main ways to capture solar energy:

  1. Photovoltaic panels: These panels turn sunlight directly into electricity.
  2. Mirrors: Mirrors focus sunlight to create power.

In recent years, solar panels have become much cheaper, so solar energy is more affordable for people. Solar panels can last for about 30 years, and they come in different colours, depending on what they are made of.

Solar energy can be used for many things, such as heating, cooling, lighting, and even creating fuel. It's a clean and renewable way to power our homes and businesses.

Wind Energy

Wind energy uses the movement of air to create power. Wind turbines are placed on land (onshore) or in bodies of water (offshore) to capture wind and turn it into electricity. Wind energy has been used for thousands of years, but modern wind turbines are designed to produce more electricity, with taller towers and larger blades.

Even though wind speeds can vary, there is enough wind energy potential around the world to produce a lot of power. Some of the best places to harness wind energy are in remote areas or off the coast, where wind is stronger and more consistent.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy comes from the heat inside the Earth. This heat can be tapped using wells that bring it to the surface. There are two main types of geothermal reservoirs: hydrothermal reservoirs, which naturally have hot water, and enhanced geothermal systems, which are made hotter by human efforts. Geothermal energy is a reliable and sustainable source of power. 

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