Mumbai, July 31 -- India experienced solar power curtailment totalling 8,133 GWh during April-June this year, the minister of state for new and renewable energy told Parliament in a written reply.

The curtailment was carried out to maintain grid security and resulted from transmission infrastructure lagging behind the rapid additions of renewable energy capacity.

The total comprised 2,417 GWh in April, 3,235 GWh in May and 2,481 GWh in June, according to data from the Grid Controller of India Ltd. Curtailment and restrictions were described as measures to preserve stability while transmission lines are commissioned to match renewable project output. The ministry highlighted that such measures are operational decisions taken to balance supply and demand.

The reply also set out progress under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which is demand driven and open to all residential consumers with grid connections. Since launch in February 2024 around four million (mn) rooftop solar systems have been installed, with approximately seven point five million (mn) applications received and about three point nine seven million (mn) systems approved and installed to date, benefitting about four point eight million (mn) households as at July 22, 2026. The government has released Rs 273.44 billion (bn) as central financial assistance under the scheme.

In 2025-26 about one point nine million (mn) rooftop systems were installed under the scheme, providing a cumulative installed residential solar capacity of six point seven GW and benefitting roughly two point three million (mn) households. The ministry indicated that over one point nine million (mn) beneficiaries have reported zero electricity bills depending on their self-consumption, and that the scheme also envisages installations on government and commercial buildings without central assistance. It added that central financial assistance is not provided for non-residential categories as installations are considered financially viable for those consumers.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.