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India is now undergoing a major shift towards renewable sources of energy, and solar power has emerged as a pioneer in the clean energy race and among them rooftop solar systems have become an essential part of the decentralized renewable energy infrastructure. Despite abundant solar irradiance, a robust policy ecosystem, and multiple financial incentives, the adoption of rooftop solar across Indian states remains uneven and significantly below national targets. This study investigates the underlying barriers impeding rooftop solar adoption, focusing on the persistent gap between policy intent and on-ground implementation. The analysis is structured thematically around three overarching categories of barriers: technical (e.g., grid integration issues, installation inconsistencies), financial (e.g., high upfront costs, subsidy delays), and social or perceptional (e.g., low awareness, aesthetic concerns, exclusion from decision-making). A thematic frequency matrix is developed to assess the relative prominence of these barriers across regions, revealing that social and behavioral constraints are among the most recurrent yet under-addressed issues. The findings underscore the need for context-sensitive policy interventions, improved access to certified service providers, localized awareness campaigns, and streamlined subsidy delivery mechanisms. Ultimately, this research offers recommendations to bridge the rooftop solar adoption gap and contribute to India's broader energy transition and net-zero ambitions. It argues that the success of rooftop solar lies not only in technological readiness and economic feasibility but also in fostering trust, inclusivity, and institutional responsiveness.
Keywords: Rooftop Solar, Renewable Energy, Barriers, India, Energy Policy; Social Perception; Solar Subsidy; Awareness, PM Surya Ghar, State-level Comparison.
