Solar energy was one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources globally. The falling costs of solar panels and advancements in technology were driving significant adoption and installation of solar power systems. Solar energy was gaining traction due to its scalability, versatility, and relatively quick deployment.

In terms of the largest energy source used in India, coal has historically been the dominant energy source. However, India has been making significant efforts to increase its renewable energy capacity, with a focus on solar and wind power. The government's initiatives, such as the National Solar Mission and various state-level policies, have led to a substantial increase in renewable energy installations.

Future trends in renewable energy in India and globally include:

Dr Gaurav H Tandon thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Solar and hydropower are currently the leading sources of renewable energy in India. With an installed capacity of more than 52 gigawatts, India is among the world leaders in cumulative hydropower capacity.Wind and solar are the fastest growing renewable sources, but contribute just 5% of total energy used in the U.S. In India Solar Power: 67.07 GW. Biomass/Co-generation: 10.2 GW. Small Hydro Power: 4.94 GW. Waste To Energy: 0.55 GW. Hydropower currently is the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector. It relies on generally stable rainfall patterns, and can be negatively impacted by climate-induced droughts or changes to ecosystems which impact rainfall patterns. Thermal power is the "largest" source of power in India. There are different types of thermal power plants based on the fuel used to generate the steam such as coal, gas, and Diesel, natural gas. About 71% of electricity consumed in India is generated by thermal power plants. Over 80%of India's energy needs are met by three fuels: coal, oil and solid biomass. Coal has underpinned the expansion of electricity generation and industry, and remains the largest single fuel in the energy mix. India has emerged as a major player in the global energy market, with the country ranking third in the world for primary energy consumption, according to the India Energy Outlook 2021 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Fossil fuels are the largest sources of energy for electricity generation. Businesses and industries are moving towards renewable energy to reduce emissions, lower energy costs, and improve eco-friendliness. The major renewable energy trends include digitization, energy-efficient integrations, and solutions that overcome the intermittency in renewable energy production. Renewable energy has become increasingly important as more people have concerns about climate change. Trends across the industry include domestic production and the growing importance of storage. Production capacity is set to continue accelerating over the next few years. India is also embracing the power of renewable energy. It has already announced its aim to reach net zero emissions by 2070. Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Power, the country is likely to meet 62% of its electricity requirements with 500 GW of non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Built on a survey of 216 power sector stakeholders, the 2022 Megatrends in Power report examines four megatrends that are setting the stage for the next decade of a rapidly evolving energy ecosystem: Decarbonization. Electrification. Climate Adaptation. Prior to the global pandemic, India's energy demand was projected to increase by almost 50% between 2019 and 2030, but growth over this period is now closer to 35% in the STEPS, and 25% in the Delayed Recovery Scenario. At present Indian Power Plants installed capacity is 404 GW and 58% as fossil power plants and by 2030, the requirements of total power would be expected as 817 GW, almost double.