Author: Renergo User

In Nepal, access to reliable electricity remains a significant challenge for many rural and remote communities. While urban centers benefit from grid connectivity, an estimated 40% of the rural population still lacks access to dependable power.

As of 2025, Nepal is intensifying its commitment to sustainable development, with solar energy emerging as a strategic solution for electrifying these underserved areas.

Recent Developments in Renewable Energy

In October 2024, Nepal hosted Renewable Energy Week 2024, a transformative event dedicated to promoting sustainable energy solutions and fostering a clean energy future. The event facilitated the sharing of success stories and collaboration on strategies to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy.

Additionally, in September 2024, the Nepal Infrastructure Summit 2024 was held in Kathmandu, gathering policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to discuss the critical role of clean energy in the nation’s development.

Companies like Huawei Digital Power showcased their green energy solutions, highlighting innovations in solar power and energy storage systems.

Government Initiatives and Key Developments

The Nepalese government has taken concrete steps to accelerate solar adoption. The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) is spearheading efforts to expand off-grid solar power, targeting 1,500 remote villages by 2030.

At the Power Summit 2023, held in Kathmandu, industry leaders and policymakers convened to discuss strategies for rural electrification. Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet emphasized the government’s commitment to achieving universal electrification by leveraging solar power.

Discussions focused on financial models, public-private partnerships, and technical innovations to scale up solar solutions in rural Nepal.

The Role of Off-Grid Solar Solutions

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reports that 99% of the population now has access to electricity, with 97% connected to the national grid and 2% relying on off-grid solutions, including micro-hydro and solar plants.

By harnessing the abundant solar energy available, Nepal is making strides toward energy independence and economic development in its rural regions.

The demand for off-grid solar solutions is increasing, driven by advancements in technology, decreasing costs, and strong government support. With reliable solar power, rural communities can enhance productivity, improve quality of life, and create new economic opportunities.

Nepal’s solar revolution is more than just an energy solution. It is a catalyst for economic empowerment and sustainable development. By prioritizing rural electrification, Nepal is setting an example for how clean energy can transform lives and communities.

The push for localized solar manufacturing, strategic investments, and strong policy support is essential to sustaining this momentum.

At REnergo, we are committed to staying at the forefront of renewable energy trends, providing insights into Nepal’s solar progress, and supporting initiatives that drive sustainability and development.

With an ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030, India is making a decisive push toward self-reliance in solar manufacturing.

The government’s focus on reducing dependency on imported solar cells and modules is shaping the future of India’s renewable energy sector.

The Drive Towards Domestic Solar Manufacturing

For years, India has been heavily reliant on imported solar components, mainly from China. While this approach has helped scale up solar installations rapidly, it has also left the sector vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.

Recognizing this challenge, the Indian government has launched the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which aims to strengthen the country’s manufacturing capabilities by providing financial support to local producers.

The PLI scheme is designed to not only boost manufacturing capacity but also ensure high-quality solar modules that can compete on a global scale. This move aligns with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), ensuring that India’s energy transition is built on a solid foundation of domestic innovation and production.

What Industry Leaders Are Saying

The shift towards local manufacturing is not just a government-driven initiative but also strong backing from industry leaders. M. S. Unnikrishnan, Managing Director of Thermax, emphasizes the critical need for India to develop a robust solar ecosystem that includes research, development, and large-scale manufacturing.

Similarly, Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Green Energy, has highlighted that achieving energy security requires India to be independent in its production of solar modules and cells.

Their vision aligns with India’s long-term sustainability goals. As the demand for renewable energy rises, having a self-sufficient manufacturing base will not only drive economic growth but also create thousands of jobs across the country.

Key Policy Discussions and Industry Trends

At major renewable energy summits and policy discussions, experts are focusing on three critical aspects:

1. Quality Control and Standardization – Ensuring that India’s solar modules meet global efficiency and durability standards is a top priority. Domestic manufacturers must adopt advanced technologies to compete with international products.
2. Financial Incentives and Infrastructure Support – The government is actively working on expanding incentives beyond the PLI scheme, including tax benefits, subsidies, and easier access to financing for new manufacturing units.
3. Supply Chain Development – To reduce reliance on imported raw materials, India needs a comprehensive supply chain strategy that includes the production of polysilicon, wafers, and other critical components.

India’s transition to a self-reliant solar industry is not just about reducing imports, it’s about building a sustainable future powered by homegrown technology.

For businesses, investors, and stakeholders in the renewable energy sector, this is an exciting time. The opportunities in solar manufacturing are expanding rapidly, and those who adapt to these changes will be at the forefront of India’s green energy revolution.

At REnergo, we remain committed to staying ahead of industry trends, supporting the transition towards sustainability, and providing insights into the evolving solar landscape.

As India continues to push forward with its clean energy ambitions, we will keep bringing you the latest updates, expert opinions, and analysis on what’s shaping the future of solar energy in the country.

As the world accelerates its transition to renewable energy, one of the biggest challenges remains:

“How to store solar power efficiently for use when the sun isn’t shining?”

Solar energy is abundant and clean, but it isn’t always available. Battery storage systems are becoming essential to keep the power supply stable, secure, and available at all times.

The Growing Need for Energy Storage

India, as one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the world, is witnessing an unprecedented rise in solar power installations. However, without proper storage solutions, a significant portion of this energy potential remains underutilized.

By 2030, India aims to have 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity, but achieving this milestone requires large-scale energy storage integration.

Lithium-ion batteries are leading the way in solving solar energy gaps by storing excess power during sunny hours and releasing it when needed.

In addition to lithium-ion, researchers and industry leaders are also looking into alternative solutions such as hydrogen storage and advanced flow batteries to enhance long-duration energy storage capabilities.

Industry Leaders Weigh In

Key figures in India’s renewable energy sector are emphasizing the urgent need for energy storage adoption:

Rohit Tiwari, CEO of Insolation Energy, recently stated that “without large-scale storage deployment, India’s solar ambitions will face significant roadblocks.”

Similarly, Rajeev Suri, CEO of Oorja Energy, has called for greater investments in domestic battery manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports and improve energy resilience.

Beyond the private sector, government agencies are also taking note. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is actively working on policies to promote energy storage technologies alongside solar expansion. The focus is on building a robust energy storage infrastructure to support the country’s ambitious renewable energy goals.

Key Discussions at Industry Summits

The urgency of energy storage integration was a major theme at the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) Conference 2025, where top energy experts and policymakers called to discuss the future of solar and storage. Discussions revolved around:

1. Scaling Up Lithium-Ion Battery Production: India is pushing for increased domestic battery production to reduce reliance on imports and lower costs.
2. Hydrogen as a Storage Solution: Green hydrogen is gaining traction as a long-term energy storage alternative, offering the potential for industrial applications and grid balancing.
3. Grid Stability and Energy Security: Experts highlighted the role of battery storage in mitigating fluctuations in solar generation and ensuring grid reliability.
4. Policy and Investment Roadmaps: The government is considering new subsidies and incentives for energy storage projects to accelerate deployment.

One of the most significant takeaways from the conference was the announcement of a $3 billion investment in battery storage infrastructure, backed by both government and private sector players. This investment aims to support utility-scale energy storage projects, helping bridge the gap between solar production and consumption.

 The Future of Solar Energy

The future of solar energy is linked to the advancement of energy storage solutions. Without reliable storage, solar power remains an intermittent resource rather than a full-fledged alternative to conventional energy. The coming years will see increased innovation, policy support, and large-scale investments to ensure that solar energy is available 24/7, making it a truly sustainable power source for the future.

As India moves closer to its net-zero emissions target, the integration of advanced battery technologies, hydrogen storage, and intelligent grid solutions will play a defining role in shaping a clean energy landscape. The momentum is building, and energy storage is no longer an option, it is a necessity.

Know more about the future of solar here.