Bridging Awareness and Adoption: Rooftop Solar Explorer (RTSE) as a Scalable Geospatial Solution for India

Rooftop solar holds immense promise for developing countries, where rapid urbanization, rising electricity demand, and land constraints require innovative clean energy solutions. Yet, adoption is often limited by consumer unawareness of rooftop potential and the absence of accessible decision-making tools. To address this, the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), India, developed the Rooftop Solar Explorer (RTSE), a geospatially enabled, consumer-oriented tool that integrates high resolution imagery, and solar irradiance data to deliver roof level assessments of solar potential and financial feasibility. Aligned with India’s flagship PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG), RTSE provides actionable insights for consumers, utilities, and policymakers by estimating shadow free areas, optimal system sizing, generation output, and 25 year savings. RTSE has been integrated into the Government of India’s National Portal for Rooftop Solar, allowing consumers from across the country to access it. Over the last one year, RTSE has empowered over 2,00,000 users to evaluate their rooftop solar feasibility, enhancing decision making and accelerating adoption. As a scalable and replicable model, RTSE illustrates how geospatial intelligence can bridge the awareness-adoption gap in developing countries, thereby supporting national renewable energy targets, advancing climate goals, and fostering inclusive energy transitions.

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