Can Ladakh’s Harsh Climate Help It Emerge as India’s Solar Energy Leader?
Nestled in the high-altitude region of the Himalayas, Ladakh is renowned for its harsh winters and minimal rainfall. However, this seemingly desolate cold desert has a hidden gem: its extraordinary solar potential.
With over 300 sunny days a year, Ladakh is poised to transform its extreme climate into its greatest energy asset.
A brilliant example of this potential in action can be found at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) campus in Leh. Here, a smart and sustainable solar setup is helping two massive four-storey buildings stay warm without burning a single drop of fuel.
How? Through an innovative Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) system that captures the sun’s rays and converts them into indoor warmth. Think of it like this: curved mirrors focus sunlight onto a silver tray, heating glycol-water solution to around 45 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius. This hot solution flows beneath the floors of the buildings, gently warming the rooms to a cozy 15 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius even when it is as freezing as -30 degrees Celsius outside!
This isn’t just about staying warm. It’s a shining example (literally!) of how Ladakh’s intense sunlight can be turned into a clean, efficient and eco-friendly solution for extreme climates. Who says the cold desert can’t lead India’s renewable energy story?
A solar potential like no other
When you think of Ladakh, you might picture snow-capped mountains, dramatic landscapes, and icy winds. But there’s something else this cold desert has in abundance which is a lot of sunshine.
In fact, Ladakh gets more solar energy per day than any other region in India, a whopping 5.29 kWh per installed kilowatt peak (kWp). That’s significantly more than places like Shimla or Delhi. With sunlight, this powerful, Ladakh is a dream location for solar energy projects.
Ladakh is proving that even the most extreme climates can harness the power of renewables.
Remote areas in Ladakh are ideal for rooftop solar installations. A significant accomplishment in this context is the establishment of Leh’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging station, powered by 260 solar PV panels and complemented by an 860 kWh lithium battery storage system. This solar-powered charging plaza supports clean transportation by simultaneously charging 10 EVs.
In response to the region’s solar bounty, the Leh City Climate Action Plan aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2047. The plan suggests implementing a telescopic pricing regime for electricity to encourage investment in rooftop solar panels. By restructuring tariffs such that lower-income households benefit from reduced rates, higher energy consumers are incentivised to install solar photovoltaic systems (PVs).
Despite Ladakh’s solar advantages, the uptake of solar PVs has been limited. In an article by Down To Earth, environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk attributes this to the region’s subsidised electricity, which discourages the adoption of rooftop solar solutions. He advocates for subsidies to target those in actual need, encouraging others to invest in solar PVs.
Meanwhile, the central government plans to leverage the region’s solar energy potential by developing a 13-gigawatt hybrid renewable energy park, set to be India’s largest. This will integrate solar, wind, and battery storage systems.
Ladakh’s agricultural economy
Moreover, Ladakh’s agricultural economy recently embraced advanced solar drying technology when the University of Ladakh’s Technology Enabling Centre introduced the ‘Hybrid Solar Dryer with Automatic Temperature Controller’ in January 2025. This innovation aims to reduce the 40 percent post-harvest spoilage of the region’s prized Halman apricots and seabuckthorn.
Neha Upadhyay, who runs ‘Guna Organics’, is educating locals on sun-drying techniques, which could significantly increase apricot retail value from Rs 150 to Rs 465. By integrating solar drying techniques and eco-friendly practices, she has positively impacted over 3,000 women.
Ladakh’s harsh climate is indeed becoming its greatest energy asset. Through innovative use of solar power and comprehensive adoption of renewable energy solutions, Ladakh stands on the brink of an energy transformation — benefiting its people and setting an exemplary model for regions worldwide.
Its vast solar potential can not only serve local energy needs but also feed into the national grid, helping achieve India’s ambitious renewable energy targets of 280 GW of solar power by 2030.
With over 300 sunny days a year, Ladakh stands to turn its challenging climate into a vast energy resource.
How other cities can learn from Ladakh’s blueprint
When you think of renewable energy success stories in India, Ladakh might not be the first name that comes to mind yet it should be. From solar-powered heating systems that defy sub-zero temperatures to EV charging stations that run entirely on sunshine, Ladakh is proving that even the most extreme climates can harness the power of renewables.
So how does Ladakh do it?
Maximise local renewable resources
What Ladakh does: Leverages its high solar radiation for heating and energy.
Inspiration for other cities: Coastal cities like Chennai or Kochi can explore hybrid solar–wind energy systems.
Cities with biomass or agro waste like Ludhiana or Nagpur can explore waste-to-energy plants.
Decentralise energy via rooftop solar
What Ladakh does: Promotes rooftop solar in remote regions and public infrastructure (like EV charging stations).
Inspiration for other cities: Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad can incentivise residential rooftop solar adoption through net metering policies, low-interest loans, targeted subsidies for low-income households
Schools, hospitals, and railway stations can be equipped with rooftop panels to reduce grid dependency.
Rethink heating and cooling
What Ladakh does: Uses Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) for space heating — a rare but effective innovation.
Inspiration for other cities: Cold cities like Shimla, Manali, or even parts of Northeast India can adopt solar heating tech for buildings.
Hot cities like Ahmedabad or Jaipur can integrate passive cooling designs and rooftop solar to reduce AC use.
Link renewable energy to local economies
What Ladakh does: Uses solar drying to preserve crops like apricots and seabuckthorn, boosting local income.
Inspiration for other cities: In agri-rich areas like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, solar dryers can reduce post-harvest loss of perishables (like tomatoes, chillies, mangoes).
Farmers can be trained to solar-dry produce for export, value addition, and year-round income.
Edited by Saumya Singh
Sources:
News