India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on September 19 that India's solar energy capacity has grown from 2 GW 12 years ago to more than 160 GW today, local media reported.

The Prime Minister's comments came as India continues to expand renewable energy capacity and household clean energy use. Government data showed India's installed solar capacity reached 164.59 GW as of July 31, 2026, up from about 2.8 GW in 2014.

Speaking at an International Conference on "The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics" in Delhi, Modi said India has also expanded the use of rooftop solar, solar pumps, LED bulbs and other energy-efficient technologies as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

He said the government launched the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to make households centers of solar power generation. Recent government data showed that over 5 million households had received rooftop solar installations under the scheme by August 2026, with 14.8 GW of rooftop solar capacity commissioned.

Modi said the government has given financial support of up to about Rs 80,000 per household under the scheme.

He also noted the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan, saying solar pumps have been installed on the farms of around 3 million farmers.

The Prime Minister said India has completed the "One Nation, One Grid" project and distributed LED bulbs to millions of households to improve energy efficiency.

He said through solar energy alone, India has prevented about 200 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

Along with solar, India has reached major milestones in other clean energy areas, with wind capacity tripling over the past 12 years, Modi added. Hydro capacity grew significantly, and nuclear generation also advanced quickly.

He also mentioned work on technologies for cleaner use of existing energy resources, including coal gasification.

India is also moving ahead with hydrogen-based mobility, citing the launch of the country's first hydrogen train as a new step in clean mobility.