Global climate diplomacy is entering a pivotal decade. As leaders convene for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the world must go beyond reaffirming ambitious climate goals—it must design pathways for implementation that are equitable, inclusive, and innovation-driven.
India’s experience, particularly through the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, provides a compelling case study of how local ecosystems—spanning entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and skilled installers—can transform national commitments into grassroot climate actions.
Local Innovation: The Heart of Practical Progress
Launched in February 2024, the PM Surya Ghar initiative aims to make residential rooftop solar widely accessible. Beyond strong policy support by the government, momentum has been was fuelled by:
- Indigenous technologies, agile start-ups, and community-led execution
- Collaborative local manufacturing and installation networks
- Digital platforms enabling simplified access and financing
Democratising Climate Action
In an era where climate action too often feels abstract, rooftop solar has become a people’s movement in India. Under PM Surya Ghar:
- The subsidy support for residential systems goes up to Rs 78,000 for systems of roughly 3 kW capacity.
- Households can get up to 300 units of free electricity per month via their rooftop generation.
- The application process, vendor registration and net-metering schemes have been simplified through an online portal.
- These mechanisms help convert climate ambition into household-level real benefits—and in doing so create tangible support for broad participation.
Technology as a Catalyst for Inclusive Growth
Today, rooftop solar deployments in India are not just about panels. They increasingly incorporate technologies such as:
- AI-enabled inverters and real-time monitoring systems that optimise output
- Adaptive tracking structures suitable for urban rooftops
- Digital platforms that integrate financing, installation and operations
These innovations enhance performance, improve grid integration and make rooftop solar a more viable option for middle-income urban homeowners.
Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship: Building Self-Reliance
India’s policy push in manufacturing—such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Programme for solar modules—has driven large-scale private investment in upstream supply-chains. Concurrently, incubation programmes and start-up challenges are nurturing companies addressing local challenges: lightweight mounting systems for Indian roofs, smart control algorithms tuned to India’s grid conditions, etc.
This synergy between policy and enterprise is building a truly Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) clean-energy ecosystem.
Skilling, Digitalisation and Smart Operations
Sustainability is as much about people as it is about technology. Thousands of technicians, vendors and installers are being trained nationwide to deliver quality rooftop solutions. At the same time, unified digital portals and AI-driven analytics streamline everything from bank-loan approvals to predictive maintenance—making India’s rooftop solar sector smarter, faster and more accountable.
Environmental Impact with Accountability
Each rooftop system contributes to carbon-offsets, reduces electricity bills, and engages citizens as active participants in climate action. Transparent digital monitoring of installations, generation and subsidy transfers strengthens public trust and provides accountability.
Lessons for COP30: Turning Commitments into Local Actions
For COP30 to deliver meaningful progress, climate policy must be paired with local innovation enablement. India’s rooftop solar initiative demonstrates that scalable climate action is rooted in the capacity to adapt technology at the community level—bridging the lab, the factory, and the household rooftop.
From smart inverters that balance grids, to digital platforms that democratise adoption, the next phase of climate leadership depends on empowering local innovation ecosystems.
The Path Ahead
Recognising such innovation is not mere celebration, it is a strategic imperative for survival. As the world gathers in Belém, the message is clear: climate transformation must be co-created locally, driven by human ingenuity, and shared globally.
Ramakrishna Sataluri is CEO, Shakti Energy Solutions Ltd.
