India generated approximately 42 billion units (BU) of solar power in the first quarter (Q1) of the calendar year 2025, a 32.7% year-over-year (YoY) increase, according to data published by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

Solar generation rose 22.8% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) from 34.2 BU.

In Q1 2025, 6.7 GW of solar capacity was added in India, representing a 6.8% growth QoQ and 27.3% increase YoY, contributing to the rise in generation numbers. The onset of summer in most regions also drove the generation.

Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra led the country in solar power generation. Rajasthan retained its position as the top solar-generating state, with 13.1 billion units (BU), marking an 11.1% quarter-over-quarter increase. Gujarat followed with 6.8 BU, while Karnataka generated 4.6 BU, Tamil Nadu 4.5 BU, and Maharashtra 2.5 BU.

Solar power generation in Rajasthan increased by 97.2% QoQ, with 1.9 GW of solar capacity added in Q1 2025.

The northern region generated the highest amount of solar power during Q1 2025, with 15.4 BU, accounting for 36.7% of the country’s total. The southern region generated 13.9 BU, and the western region generated 12.1 BU, accounting for 33.2% and 28.9%, respectively. The eastern and northeastern regions accounted for 1% and 0.2%. Generation for the northern, western, southern, eastern, and northeastern regions rose 11.8%, 34.4%, 27.5%, 16%, and 4% QoQ, respectively.

The solar power generation could have been higher if not for the sudden dips reported between December 2024 and February 2025 due to cloud cover over large swathes of northern India.

As of March 2025, India’s cumulative installed solar capacity stood at 104.6 GW, accounting for 22% of India’s total installed power capacity and 46.1% of the installed renewable capacity, according to the data from CEA, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker.

Subscribe to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker to access the most comprehensive database of large-scale solar projects covering commissioned and under-development projects from the beginning of the National Solar Mission.