In summary
Renewable energy is power drawn from natural sources that replenish on their own, such as sunlight, wind and water. It offers clean electricity with low emissions, and it reduces dependence on fossil fuels while supporting long-term sustainability.
- What it is: energy from sources that do not run out, including solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal.
- How it works: these sources are converted into electricity, used locally or fed into the grid.
- Main benefits: lower carbon emissions, long-term cost savings and greater energy independence.
- Common uses: powering homes, industries, farms and water pumping in rural areas.
- Growing role: renewable capacity is expanding steadily as India shifts towards cleaner energy.
Whatever powers your home, you can pay your electricity bill online in minutes on Bajaj Pay.
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How is renewable energy generated?
Renewable energy is generated by capturing natural forces like sunlight, wind and flowing water, then converting them into electricity using panels, turbines or cells.
- Solar PV: photovoltaic cells absorb sunlight and convert it directly into electricity.
- Wind: moving air spins turbine blades, and the generator turns that kinetic energy into electricity.
- Hydro: flowing or falling water drives turbines that a generator converts into electricity.
Each renewable source of energy uses a different conversion mechanism but shares the same principle: zero fuel cost and near-zero emissions. However you power your home, you can pay your electricity bill online on Bajaj Pay.
What are the main types of renewable energy?
The main types of renewable energy are solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass. These renewable energy sources each use a different natural input to produce clean electricity. The table below compares how they work and where they are used.
Type How it works Primary use in India Key global stat Solar PV panels convert sunlight into electricity Rooftop and utility-scale solar farms About 6.9% of global electricity in 2024; fastest-growing source Wind Turbine blades capture kinetic energy Onshore farms and coastal areas About 8.1% of global electricity in 2024 Hydro Flowing water drives turbines Dams and run-of-river projects Largest renewable source, about 14.3% of global electricity in 2024 Geothermal Steam from the Earth's heat powers turbines Very limited in India, mostly early-stage Used in around two dozen countries Biomass Organic material is burned or converted to gas Biogas cooking and co-generation A notable share of global bioenergy use Each renewable source of energy cuts fuel cost and emissions, which makes the shift to clean power faster.
What are the benefits of renewable energy?
Renewable energy offers lower emissions, long-term cost savings and greater energy security, and it already supplies close to a third of global electricity.
- Renewable supply: sources like the sun and wind never run out.
- Lower energy costs: cheaper over time, with less fuel-price volatility.
- Environmental impact: near-zero emissions for a cleaner planet.
- National energy security: a diversified grid is more resilient and less import-dependent.
- Job creation: the renewable transition supports many new jobs.
This is why renewable energy is central to India's clean and sustainable energy goals, including the 500 GW non-fossil capacity target by 2030. You can also pay your electricity bill online on Bajaj Finance.
What are the uses of renewable energy?
Renewable energy powers homes, businesses, transport and agriculture across India. Each source suits a different everyday use, from rooftop solar to biogas in villages. Here are the main uses.
- Home electricity: rooftop solar panels power lighting, appliances and fans, cutting grid dependence.
- Commercial use: renewable energy sources supply factories, offices and warehouses with cleaner power.
- Agriculture: hydro and solar run irrigation pumps and farm equipment.
- Rural cooking: biogas from organic waste fuels clean cooking in villages.
- EV charging: solar power supports electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.
Together these uses show how renewable energy fits into daily life and supports a cleaner grid.
Why pay your electricity bill online with Bajaj Pay?
Paying your electricity bill payment online with Bajaj Pay saves time, prevents service disruptions and helps you track spending as renewable energy adoption grows. Bajaj Pay lets you pay bills from 100+ electricity boards across India in a few steps, using UPI, cards, net banking or wallet. You get instant confirmation and a saved payment history, so dues are cleared on time. Complete your electricity bill payment on the Bajaj Finance website or app whenever it suits you, with no branch visit required.
How does solar energy work for homes and businesses in India?
Solar energy works by using photovoltaic (PV) cells in solar panels to convert sunlight directly into electricity. It is one of the fastest-growing renewable sources and suits both homes and businesses in India.
In a rooftop system, panels absorb sunlight and produce DC electricity, which an inverter converts into AC power for use. With net metering, surplus power is fed back to the grid, lowering your bill. Rooftop solar energy India adoption is rising with supportive policy.
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana supports this shift, offering a central subsidy of up to Rs. 78,000 for a 3 kW system and up to 300 units of free electricity a month for eligible households.
As solar output grows, your electricity bill falls, and you can pay any remaining bill on Bajaj Pay.
What is the cost of installing a solar power system for a home in India?
A standard 3 kW home solar system in India costs roughly Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2.5 lakh before subsidy, and less after the PM Surya Ghar subsidy. Costs vary by system size, brand and state, so the table below gives indicative figures.
System size Indicative cost before subsidy PM Surya Ghar subsidy Suitable for 1 kW Rs. 60,000–90,000 Up to Rs. 30,000 1–2 BHK, low consumption 2 kW Rs. 1.2–1.8 lakh Up to Rs. 60,000 2–3 BHK homes 3 kW Rs. 1.5–2.5 lakh Up to Rs. 78,000 3 BHK or small office 5 kW Rs. 2.5–4 lakh Up to Rs. 78,000 (capped) Large home or small business With the subsidy, payback is typically about 5 to 7 years, and solar energy India systems can cut electricity bills sharply. Pay any remaining bill on Bajaj Pay.
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Frequently asked questions
Wind energy is usually not practical for individual homes in India. Residential rooftops rarely get the steady, high wind speeds that turbines need, and small wind units cost a lot for the output. Wind works better at utility scale or in open, windy rural areas. For homes, rooftop solar is normally the more viable renewable option.
Your savings depend on system size, sunlight and usage. A well-sized rooftop solar system can offset a large part of your consumption, often cutting electricity bills by 50% to 100%. Net metering credits surplus units, and the PM Surya Ghar scheme adds up to 300 free units a month for eligible households, raising savings further.
Renewable energy comes from naturally replenishing sources like the sun, wind and water, so the supply never runs out. Nuclear energy is produced by splitting uranium atoms in a reactor. Both are low-carbon, but nuclear is not renewable, as it uses a finite fuel and produces radioactive waste that needs careful disposal.
Switching to renewable energy in India faces a few challenges. Solar and wind output varies with the weather, so steady supply needs battery storage, which adds cost. Upfront installation cost, land or roof space, and grid integration can also be hurdles. Supportive policies and subsidies are helping address these over time.
