New modeling by Ember finds that solar paired with battery storage could supply 90% of India’s electricity demand at an LCOE of INR 5.06/kWh.
The study finds that while a fully solar-powered system is technically possible, pushing toward 100% would be significantly more expensive.
Each additional percentage point would require disproportionately more solar and storage capacity, driving up overall system costs.
With other clean sources such as wind, hydro, and nuclear already in place or planned, the report suggests India would not need to rely on solar alone.
India’s electricity demand exceeded 2,000 TWh in 2024. Meeting 90% of that demand would require around 930 GW of solar capacity – less than one-third of the country’s estimated 3,343 GW of feasible ground-mounted solar potential – and 2,560 GWh of battery storage.
This equates to 4.9 GW of solar capacity and 13.5 GWh of battery storage for every 1 GW of average demand. The study estimates that only 5% of annual solar generation would need to be curtailed.
