Google expands India's clean-energy push with Solar API for 300M rooftops, climate-smart agri programme, and more

Google has announced a series of clean-energy and climate-tech initiatives in India, leveraging artificial intelligence, geospatial data, and infrastructure investments. The initiatives comprise expanding the Solar API to incorporate over 300 million buildings across India, utilizing AI and high-resolution imagery to assist solar installers in assessing rooftop solar potential remotely.

Google has also partnered with ReNew Power on a 150-megawatt solar project in Rajasthan, constituting their second Scope 3-focused solar investment in India, bringing their total contracted solar capacity with ReNew to 300 MW. Additionally, Google is collaborating with Mitti Labs on a climate-smart agriculture programme targeting rice farmers in Telangana, with the aim of reducing methane emissions and water usage.

The programme is expected to curb nearly 3 million tonnes of CO2e over a 20-year Global Warming Potential period. Google's Center for Climate Technology, established in February, is broadening its research focus to tackle freshwater demand and e-waste and battery recycling challenges. The company has also launched the inaugural cohort of the Google DeepMind Accelerator, supporting four Indian startups developing AI solutions for environmental issues, such as plot-level land intelligence, regenerative agriculture practices, and verified carbon credits for smallholder farmers.