Jammu and Kashmir’s Solar Transition in India’s Low-Emission Future

Ankit Saha - Research Associate, IIMA
Location: Jammu and Kashmir
Low-Carbon Electricity Systems

Table of Contents

India’s solar capacity surged by over 4729% in just over 11 years

India’s long-term low-emission development strategy (LT-LEDS) envisions transforming its electricity system through large-scale adoption of renewable energy with improved efficiency. Building on the National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008) and the National Solar Mission (2010), the country has committed to achieving about 50% of its cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by 2030 (MoEFCC, 2022). Over the past decade, this ambition has translated into remarkable real-world progress: solar power capacity has expanded from just 2.63 GW in 2014 to over 127 GW as of September 2025 (MNRE, 2025), representing an extraordinary increase of about 48 times. India now ranks 4th globally in renewable energy capacity and 5th in solar power capacity, reflecting a sustained policy push through schemes such as the Solar Parks Programme, PM-KUSUM, and the Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II (MoEFCC, 2024; MNRE, 2021).

Complementing these large-scale targets are initiatives that encourage citizens to contribute to India’s energy transition, encouraging households, farmers, and communities to actively participate in the shift toward clean power. The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024, marks a major national effort to accelerate rooftop solar adoption by providing substantial financial support for household installations and targeting one model solar village per district across the country. As of November 2024, the initiative had received 1.42 crore registrations, 23.79 lakh applications, and completed over 5.5 lakh rooftop installations, reflecting growing public participation in the clean-energy transition (MoEFCC, 2024). In parallel, the PM-KUSUM Scheme continues to drive the de-dieselisation of agriculture through the installation of over 14 lakh standalone and 35 lakh grid-connected solar pumps (MoEFCC, 2024), expanding the reach of solar energy to farmlands. At the same time, they have strengthened domestic manufacturing of solar PV components through Domestic Content Requirement provisions (MNRE, 2021), bringing India closer to realising its LEDS vision of a resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon energy future.

Across India, rooftop solar adoption reflects a mosaic of state-level action shaped by central initiatives such as the Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, and PM-KUSUM, leading to a cumulative installation of 16.3 GW rooftop solar across India as of January 2025. States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have led the transition, together accounting for nearly 70 per cent of total rooftop installations through proactive measures including state subsidies, streamlined approval systems, and consumer-friendly policies like virtual net-metering and group net-metering (Patil et al., 2025). However, adoption remains uneven: in several states, restrictive norms such as minimum 1 kW system thresholds and limited access to affordable finance continue to hinder the economic viability of rooftop solar installations (Zachariah et al., 2023). These experiences underline that while central schemes provide the overarching framework, state-specific governance, regulatory agility, and citizen participation determine the pace of rooftop expansion. Within this diverse national landscape, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) offers a compelling example of how a Himalayan region with complex terrain and dispersed settlements is adapting India’s solar programmes to local needs and driving community-centred clean-energy growth.

Jammu and Kashmir ranks second in India for solar energy potential

J&K is quietly emerging as a key actor in India’s solar energy transition with abundant solar irradiation and diverse geographic zones. J&K’s solar policy framework has evolved from the 2013 State Solar Power Policy, which promoted grid and off-grid installations (DST GoJ&K, 2013), to the 2016 Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Policy, introducing net metering and incentives for consumers (DST GoJ&K, 2017). Most recently, a July 2024 government sanction approved the solarisation of all government buildings with 200 MW rooftop capacity in RESCO mode and 70 MW in Capex mode at a cost of ₹400 crore. To be implemented by the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), the project will use smart bi-directional meters and virtual net metering (VNM) to advance institutional solar adoption across the union territory by the end of 2025 (DST GoJ&K, 2024).

The region holds a solar potential exceeding 1,480 MW across its major districts, yet, as of 2024, only about 75 MW of this potential has been tapped (roughly 5% of the potential), highlighting both the progress made and the vast room for expansion (Paul et al, 2025). GIS-based mapping identifies Leh and Jammu as prime locations for large-scale solar installations, while in urban spaces, significant rooftop solar potential is identified in Srinagar and Jammu.

Table 1 District-wise Solar Installation Status in J&K as of 2024

DistrictInstalled Capacity (MW)Estimated Potential (MW)Share of Potential Achieved (%)
Jammu405008.00%
Srinagar153504.29%
Anantnag82004.00%
Baramulla61803.33%
Leh62502.40%

Source: Paul et al, 2025

Expanding rooftop solar in Jammu and Kashmir presents a dual opportunity to strengthen both the regional economy and environmental sustainability. Economically, rooftop systems are financially viable, where a payback period is of about six years and annual savings amount to roughly ₹27,000 compared to grid electricity, while moving steadily toward grid parity (Paul et al, 2025). Scaling adoption could therefore reduce household and institutional energy costs and stimulate local employment in associated services. Environmentally, the transition promises substantial gains – 500 MW of solar capacity can offset nearly 410,000 tons of CO₂ emissions each year while avoiding land-use conflicts, since rooftop systems require no additional land (Kishore et al, 2025). With panels that repay their embodied energy within two to three years and last up to 25 years, rooftop solar can also curb dependence on diesel generators, improving urban air quality and resilience to climate risks. Together, these benefits make rooftop solar not only a clean-energy solution but also a catalyst for sustainable, inclusive growth in J&K.

The policy ecosystem in J&K is beginning to translate into visible results, with active government engagement to raise public awareness and ease the process of rooftop solar adoption. Rooftop solar is gaining traction not just in cities like Jammu and Srinagar but also in peri-urban areas where grid reliability varies. These emerging trends set the stage for several noteworthy initiatives that demonstrate how policy intent is translating into tangible on-ground achievements across the union territory.

Examples demonstrating the benefits of solar energy expansion

Several pioneering projects demonstrate how solar energy is reshaping livelihoods, institutions, and communities across J&K.

Central University of Jammu: A 500 kWp grid-connected rooftop solar power plant has been installed at the Maulana Azad Memorial (MAM) College. It now meets nearly 60% of the university’s daytime energy needs, reducing emissions by around 700 tons of CO₂ per year (Greater Kashmir, 2022). The initiative, implemented under Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), serves as a model for other organisations.

Solar Micro-grids Lighting Up Ladakh: In Ladakh, decentralised solar micro-grids are transforming access to clean and reliable electricity across remote Himalayan settlements. Supported by local partners and development agencies, these systems collectively provide over 1 MW of solar power across 94 villages, reaching more than 70,000 residents and replacing diesel-based generation (CDKN, 2025). The initiative has significantly improved energy access for households, schools, and health centres while avoiding over 230,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. In villages such as Tangtse, the shift to solar energy has not only reduced fuel dependence but also enhanced livelihood opportunities and community resilience in one of India’s most challenging terrains.

Solar Streetlights in Rural J&K: In rural areas of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the expansion of solar street-lighting is making a marked difference. According to government figures, approximately 91,000 solar home-lighting units have already been deployed under the Remote Village Electrification Programme, while another 3,000 solar street-lighting systems have been installed in previously un-electrified villages. These interventions are not only improving safety and living standards after dusk but also curbing reliance on diesel and traditional kerosene lighting (NDTV, 2018).

Dal Lake Floating Solar (Proposed): A floating solar plant is being developed at Dal Lake, with JAKEDA issuing tenders for a 100 kWp grid-connected system. The concept holds promise for larger scale deployment, such as proposals for multiple megawatts of capacity to reduce evaporation losses and enhance aquatic ecosystem stability (JAKEDA, 2024).

Path ahead towards low-emission energy systems

Jammu and Kashmir’s growing solar momentum reflects India’s broader transition toward decentralised, low-emission energy systems envisioned under its LT-LEDS. By coupling institutional solarisation with community-led initiatives, the union territory offers a glimpse into how distributed renewable energy can drive resilience, inclusion, and local ownership. Moving forward, expanding rooftop and off-grid solar, improving grid infrastructure and financing access, and strengthening data-driven monitoring will be the key to scale this movement forward. As India works to update its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and pursue a just, low-carbon growth pathway, replicable models from regions like J&K can illuminate how national ambition can translate into equitable, on-ground transformation.

References:

  • MoEFCC (2024). India: Fourth Biennial Update Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
  • MoEFCC (2022). India’s Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
  • MNRE (2021). Press Release on Solar Park and Rooftop Solar Programmes. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.
  • MNRE (2025). Programme/Scheme Wise Cumulative Physical Progress as on September 2025. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.
  • Paul, W. U. H., Khan, R. A., & Hamid, D. (2025). Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana in Jammu & Kashmir, India: A GIS-Based and Financial Modeling Approach. Int j adv multidisc res stud 5 (1), 767.
  • Patil, A., Ramesh, K., & Tyagi, B. (2025). How are Indian states enabling rooftop solar adoption? Analysing subnational policies and regulations. Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
  • Zachariah, S., Tyagi, B., & Kuldeep, N. (2023). Mapping India’s residential rooftop solar potential: A bottom-up assessment using primary data. Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
  • Department of Science & Technology, Government of Jammu & Kashmir (2017). Policy for Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants – 2016 (Net–Metering Based). G.O. No. 15–ST of 2017. Retrieved from https://www.cbip.org/policies2019/PD_07_Dec_2018_Policies/Jammu%20%26%20Kashmir/1-Net%20Metering/2%20Order%20Solar%20Rooftop%20Policy%20(JAKEDA)approved.pdf
  • Department of Science & Technology, Government of Jammu & Kashmir (2024). Government Order No. 36–JK (STn) of 2024: Sanction for solarisation of government buildings in Jammu & Kashmir – installation of grid-tied rooftop solar power plants (200 MW RESCO + 70 MW Capex). Retrieved from https://jakeda.jk.gov.in/pdf/aa.pdf
  • Department of Science & Technology, Government of Jammu & Kashmir (2013). Solar Power Policy for Jammu & Kashmir. Retrieved from https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3716e1b8c6cd17b771da77391355749f3/uploads/2023/10/202310131574091213.pdf
  • Kishore, T. S., Kumar, P. U., & Ippili, V. (2025). Review of global sustainable solar energy policies: Significance and impact. Innovation and Green Development, 4(2), 100224.

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