Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. has equipped more than 36,000 retail outlets with solar power systems as part of a national push toward cleaner energy and self-reliance, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday.

In a post on social media platform X, Puri said the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of energy independence and a “Green India.”

“This commendable effort not only saves on electricity bills but also makes an invaluable contribution to building a ‘Green India,’” Puri said.

Solar Energy at the Core of India’s Growth

According to an IANS report, Puri highlighted the growing role of solar power in driving India’s transition to energy self-sufficiency.

“New India is moving forward on the mantra of complementary aspects of economy and environment,” he said, adding that rooftops — whether on homes, offices or factories — should be used to harness solar energy.

India’s total solar energy capacity rose sharply from 2.82 gigawatts in 2014 to 105.65 GW as of March 31, IANS reported.

Of this, 81.01 GW comes from ground-mounted installations, 17.02 GW from rooftop solar, 2.87 GW from hybrid projects, and 4.74 GW from off-grid systems.

Domestic Production Boost

The growth in domestic manufacturing capacity has supported the expansion in solar installations. Puri noted that India’s solar cell production, nearly nonexistent in 2014, now stands at 25 GW, with an additional 2 GW of wafer production capacity.

Puri also pointed to rising tax compliance as a sign of India’s evolving economic landscape. Income tax return filings surged from 36 million in fiscal year 2013–14 to 85 million in 2024–25, with 95 percent processed within 30 days, he said.

“When taxation is managed honestly, it becomes a powerful medium of empowerment,” the minister said, crediting the Modi government’s welfare programs for reinforcing this shift.

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy markets, with the government targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Solar energy is expected to play a central role in meeting these targets.

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