New Delhi: The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a Rs 2.3-crore Startup Innovation Challenge. The initiative, announced on 21 June, aims to support breakthrough technologies that can enhance the scalability and efficiency of rooftop solar installations across the country.
The challenge will be steered by MNRE and implemented with the support of the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), in collaboration with StartUp India and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
It is expected to identify promising startups and solutions that can address key barriers in the rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy sectors.
The programme comes at a time when India is witnessing robust growth in its solar capacity. According to the MNRE, solar energy now accounts for nearly half of the country’s total renewable energy capacity. As of November 2024, India’s solar power capacity stood at 92.12 GW out of a total renewable energy capacity of 203.18 GW.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, recently stated that the country had crossed the milestone of 100 GW in installed solar capacity, reflecting the success of policy measures aimed at promoting clean energy.
Solar energy contributed to 10 per cent of India’s total energy mix in 2024, with clean energy sources overall accounting for 22 per cent.
The MNRE said the initiative will not only help meet India’s ambitious green energy targets but also promote sustainable energy solutions tailored for diverse consumer needs.
