Kanika Chawla: Inside India's astonishing solar revolution

Inside India's astonishing solar revolution

In 2014, the world’s second largest coal consumer made a bold promise: to increase its solar capacity from three gigawatts to 100 gigawatts in just eight years. Many people called it overly ambitious, but energy expert Kanika Chawla saw the opportunity of a lifetime. She tells the story of how India became a solar powerhouse, turning an expensive dream into an economic reality — and creating a model for other countries to follow suit.

A decade ago, India pledged to leap from 3 to 100 gigawatts of solar power, doubling capacity every 18 months against the odds. By 2025, it surpassed this milestone, unlocking $90 billion in investment and creating 300,000 new jobs. Instead of ideology, economic opportunity fueled this transformation and inspired other developing countries. The real engine behind the revolution was not just technology, but careful planning, business model innovation, and grounding solutions locally.

India’s Solar Bet Transformed It Into a Global Climate Power

India stunned the world by vowing to boost its solar capacity from three to 100 gigawatts in just eight years. Defying skeptics, it hit the target by 2025, sparking $90 billion in investment and generating 300,000 new jobs. This transformation was built on practical policies and innovative financing, not just new technology. As more developing countries pursue clean energy, their choices are shaping the planet’s future.