Solar-installed roofs and pumps present significant potential for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in India and Africa, according to the Director-General of the International Solar Alliance.

In a bid to bolster food security and reduce high imports of expertise, the head of Ethiopia, a country with a population of 13 crore people, has expressed the need for 1 million solar pumps. This ambitious goal comes as only 10% of the arable land in Ethiopia is currently under irrigation.

India, a global leader in the renewable energy sector, presents a promising solution to this challenge. The country's solar PV cell manufacturing has seen a significant rise, with production increasing from 9 GW to 25 GW in recent years. This growth has opened up significant opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India and African countries, as stated by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Director, Ashish Khanna.

To further promote Indian-made solar products, the government has made it mandatory for projects under schemes like the Rooftop Solar Programme, PM-KUSUM, and CPSU Scheme Phase II to use panels and cells made in India. This move is expected to boost the domestic solar manufacturing sector, which includes solar modules, PV cells, ingots, and wafers.

India's progress in the renewable energy sector is a testament to focused policies and strategic planning under national leadership. The country has already installed around 20 lakh solar pumps and plans to install an additional 50 lakh, each costing approximately USD 10,000 or 8 lakh rupees. The cost of solar pumps has significantly decreased due to technological advancements, making it economically viable to switch from diesel pumps to solar pumps.

In July 2025, India's cumulative solar power capacity stood at 119.02 GW, with 90.99 GW from ground-mounted solar plants, 19.88 GW from grid-connected rooftop systems, 3.06 GW from hybrid projects, and 5.09 GW from off-grid solar installations. This progress has propelled India to surpass Japan and become the world's third-largest solar power producer, generating 108,494 GWh of solar energy.

India's renewable energy sector has also seen rapid growth in recent years, with China being the fastest developing solar technology sector. In 2020, China installed over 49 GW of solar capacity, remaining the largest global market and capacity contributor. Key leading solar cell and module manufacturers in these countries include Canadian Solar Inc., First Solar, Yingli Solar, and Trina Solar.

India's latest achievement is the establishment of its first ingot-wafer manufacturing facility (2 GW), further strengthening the entire solar supply chain. This move is expected to support the Indian economy by reducing dependence on imports and creating jobs in the domestic solar sector.

India has pledged to reach a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030, as part of commitments made at COP26. This ambitious goal is seen as a key step in India's clean energy transition and broader climate goals. India's solar revolution offers vast opportunities for MSMEs in its solar journey and abroad, contributing significantly to food security and clean energy goals worldwide.

Solar-installed roofs and pumps present significant potential for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in India and Africa, according to the Director-General of the International Solar Alliance.