On the occasion of International Sun Day, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy kicked off the ‘Run for Sun’ marathon in New Delhi, honoring unprecedented progress in rooftop solar adoption. April 2026 saw a record 2.7 lakh installations in a single month via the PM Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme, empowering more than 45 lakh homes with affordable solar energy.
Participants flooded Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium for the 2 km and 5 km runs, embodying national pride in solar achievements. This comes against a backdrop of energy volatility in West Asia, where India’s renewable sector—especially solar—has proven its mettle in building energy independence.
From 2.82 GW in 2014 to over 150 GW today, solar capacity has multiplied 53 times. The recent addition of 50 GW in 15 months marks a historic acceleration. Non-fossil sources now account for half of India’s total power capacity, smashing the 2030 goal early and underscoring the nation’s pivotal role in global sustainability efforts.
Addressing the crowd, MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi called the event more than a race—it’s a movement for sustainability. The PM Surya Ghar initiative, with 30 lakh installations, is central to democratizing solar energy, ensuring clean power reaches every corner of the country.
