The primary objective for deploying renewable energy in India is to advance economic development, improve energy security, improve access to energy, and mitigate climate change. Sustainable development is possible by use of sustainable energy and by ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for citizens. Strong government support and the increasingly opportune economic situation have pushed India to be one of the top leaders in the world’s most attractive renewable energy markets. The government has designed policies, programs, and a liberal environment to attract foreign investments to ramp up the country in the renewable energy market at a rapid rate. It is anticipated that the renewable energy sector can create a large number of domestic jobs over the following years. This paper aims to present significant achievements, prospects, projections, generation of electricity, as well as challenges and investment and employment opportunities due to the development of renewable energy in India. In this review, we have identified the various obstacles faced by the renewable sector. The recommendations based on the review outcomes will provide useful information for policymakers, innovators, project developers, investors, industries, associated stakeholders and departments, researchers, and scientists.

India is one of the leading nations in the world for the development and utilization of wind energy. The country’s wind power potential at 100 m above ground level is 302 GW. The Indian wind industry is on track to achieve the government’s 60 GW wind capacity target ahead of the 2022 deadline as it has already crossed 34 GW. Wind energy sector contributes to the country by generating employment, reducing the adverse effects of greenhouse gases and increasing the size of gross domestic product. To date, the Indian wind sector has developed by private sector investment. The government, on its part, supporting the wind industry in the country via a range of financial incentives and innovative schemes. That ensures scaling up of wind energy to reach the national energy demand in a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable manner. Attempts have been made in this review to frame a clear picture of the current status of India in the onshore and offshore sectors. Various guidelines for the development of wind power projects, policies and programmes by the ministry and its growing concern for the country’s energy security are discussed. This paper also highlights the importance of wind energy tariff and also explores the cost and economics of wind energy production. Current wind energy-related research studies are summarized. Concerns that are adhered in developing wind energy power plants including social, environmental and techno-economic impacts are addressed.

The 18,000 square kilometers of water reservoirs in India can generate 280 GW of solar power through floating solar photovoltaic plants. The cumulative installed capacity of FSPV is 0.0027 GW, and the country plans to add 10 GW of FSPV to the 227 GW renewable energy target of 2022. The FSPV addition is small related to the entire market for solar energy, but each contribution is appreciated in the renewable energy market. FSPV could be a viable alternative for speeding up solar power deployment in the country and meeting its NDC targets. So far, the country has achieved the world's lowest investment cost for a floating solar installation. Despite the lower costs, generalizations are still premature because FSPV is still in its initial stages of market entry. Continuous innovation and timely adoption of innovative ideas and technology will support India in meeting its solar energy goals and progressing toward a more sustainable future. Governments must establish clear and enforceable policies to assist developers in reducing risks and increasing investor confidence in the sector. Economic and financial feasibility are examined, and various difficulties in technology, design, finances, environment, maintenance, and occupational health that impact the FSPV deployment are discussed. Based on the research, effective and comprehensive FSPV policy suggestions are included to support establishing an appropriate market, fostering competition and innovation, and attracting large-scale investment. This paper aims to stimulate interest among various policy developers, energy suppliers, industrial designers, ergonomists, project developers, manufacturers, health and safety professionals, executing agencies, training entities, and investment institutions of the FSPV plant to implement effective governance planning and help them to participate in their ways to assure sustainable growth.

Offshore wind is at its infancy in terms of technology and capacities in India. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced medium and long term offshore targets of 5 GW and 30 GW by 2022 and 2030, respectively. The location of the first offshore wind park has recently been identified, and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has signed a contract with the Government of Gujarat to establish the 1000 MW of offshore wind energy capacity by 2019. To achieve the ambitious targets, India will require demand and resources planning, and policy support at an unprecedented scale. The MNRE notified the country’s offshore wind energy policy in 2015, and draft offshore wind energy lease rules in 2019. In this paper, several offshore wind energy challenges have been identified, and a clear policy road map and effective support schemes required to trigger offshore wind development activity for medium to long term are suggested. The environmental consequences of European offshore wind farms are assessed to optimize future monitoring of offshore wind programmes in India. Furthermore, the occupational health and safety management requirements are highlighted to ensure that the accidents, vulnerabilities, and hazards are avoided. The research and development (R&D) considerations are provided to assist policymakers, potential investors, stakeholders, designers and manufacturers, contractors, professional advisers, and wind farm developers in their decisions and planning.

While solar power projects are built on a continuous ground, wind power projects require scattered land, raising transmission costs and increasing the risk of land-related complications. Wind–solar hybrid (WSH) projects have been proposed to address these issues and accelerate installation. WSH power projects will create a well-defined area with sufficient infrastructure, including evacuation facilities, where the project’s risks can be reduced. The extensive coastline of India is endowed with high wind flow speed and plentiful solar power resources, creating an ideal environment for WSH projects to prosper while simultaneously improving grid stability and reliability. WSH plants guarantee higher transmission efficiency and cost-effectiveness than their stand-alone counterparts. As of 30.11.2021, 3.75 GW of WSH projects have been granted, with 0.148 GW of operational capacity and 1.7 GW of WSH projects in various bidding phases. In this paper, we discussed state-wise WSH potential, the key players in the WSH project, the National WSH, and the State WSH policy and amendments. Also, the WSH project’s physical progress and commercial details are covered. A feasibility study of the WSH plant is performed, and the primary design strategy for deploying WSH power facilities in India is discussed. It covers every step of this process, from design technique to choosing and evaluating potential locations for such hybrid projects, optimally placing wind turbines and solar panels, overall capacity mix for hybrid plants, and ultimately power evacuation optimization. Additionally, a brief study of the savings from these hybrid plants and the environmental, social, and governance standards which are necessary to implement these projects are provided. The potential challenges connected with WSH technologies are examined in depth, and potential solutions and mitigations for the challenges are provided. Designing a WSH for small-scale irrigation is provided along with the size and choice of wind and solar systems. Degradation of PV systems and carbon savings are included, along with some policy measures to boost the proportion of WSH in the entire power mix. In India, the development of large-scale WSH projects is still in its early stages, and more research is required to explore technical, commercial, and policy elements that influence project design. The policy suggestions for improvement of the WSH project are provided. The WSH project developers, potential investors, stakeholders, innovators, policymakers, manufacturers, designers, and researchers will benefit from the recommendations based on the review’s findings.