Solar & Battery Storage to Power 90% of India: Ember

A new report released on April 7, 2026, by global energy think tank Ember highlights a transformative shift in India’s energy landscape—solar energy combined with low-cost battery storage can meet up to 90% of the country’s electricity demand at affordable costs. The analysis shows that solar-plus-storage systems can deliver power at a levelised cost of just ₹5.06 per kWh, which is already lower than the average power purchase cost in many Indian states.

The study models India’s 2024 electricity demand scenario and reveals that achieving this 90% clean energy share would require approximately 930 GW of solar capacity and 2,560 GWh of battery storage. This translates to about 4.9 GW of solar and 13.5 GWh of storage for every 1 GW of average demand. Notably, India’s peak electricity demand touched ~250 GW in May 2024, with projections rising to 270 GW in 2026, further strengthening the case for scalable solar and storage infrastructure.

One of the most critical insights from the Ember report is that solar energy, supported by battery storage, can now provide round-the-clock power—day and night—especially in high solar irradiance regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Batteries play a key role by storing surplus daytime solar generation and dispatching it during evening and night hours. Even during peak summer demand, solar-plus-storage systems can meet up to 88% of electricity needs, while achieving near 100% on many days during high solar months.

However, the report also highlights key challenges. Extended periods of low solar output, particularly during the monsoon season, remain the primary constraint—not battery capacity. Despite this, the falling cost of batteries (with declines of over 40% in 2024 and 31% in 2025) is rapidly improving system viability, positioning solar-plus-storage as a strong hedge against global energy price volatility and fossil fuel dependence.

For India, this marks a major opportunity to accelerate its clean energy transition. With over 143 GW of installed solar capacity as of early 2026, the country is already on a strong growth trajectory. The Ember findings reinforce that scaling solar with advanced battery storage can unlock a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy future—aligning perfectly with India’s long-term energy security and net-zero goals.

Resource: Hindustan Times

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