Google unveils 5 new India initiatives using AI for solar, clean energy and farming
Google is appearing to be bringing artificial intelligence to solve some real-world problems in India. The Silicon Valley giant has announced five new sustainability initiatives in the country, covering rooftop solar, clean energy, agriculture, climate research and startups.
The company says these initiatives will use AI, satellite imagery and other technologies to support India's shift towards cleaner energy and help tackle environmental challenges. One of the biggest announcements is the expansion of Google's Solar API, which can now provide insights for more than 300 million rooftops across India.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryGoogle in the solar rooftop businessGoogle’s Solar API uses AI and imagery to provide information about rooftops and their solar potential. Installers can use this data to understand a home's roof without first making an on-site visit. The technology can also help create solar system designs and customer proposals.
Google says platforms such as Solar Ladder and OpenSolar are already using the Solar API in their workflows. The move comes as rooftop solar adoption grows in India, helped by government schemes such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The company has also signed a long-term agreement with ReNew Power for a 150MW solar project in Rajasthan. This is Google's second Scope 3-focused solar project in India and takes its total contracted solar capacity with ReNew to 300MW.
Google is also working with Mitti Labs on a project involving tens of thousands of smallholder rice farmers in Telangana.
The project will introduce a farming method called Alternate Wetting and Drying, or AWD. Instead of keeping rice fields flooded all the time, farmers periodically drain and refill them.Why does that matter?
Continuously flooded rice fields can produce methane, a greenhouse gas. Draining the fields introduces oxygen into the soil, which can reduce methane production. It also means farmers can use less water.
Google says the project could help mitigate nearly 3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent over 20 years. The impact will be monitored using satellite data and field networks.
Google is also expanding its Center for Climate Technology, which it launched in February with the Government of India's Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser. The centre initially focused on areas such as green workforce training and low-carbon construction materials. It will now also look at water stewardship, along with e-waste and battery recycling.
The company is also supporting four Indian startups through its Google DeepMind Accelerator: AI for the Planet programme. Terrastack, Varaha Climate, Farmers for Forests and Climitra Carbon are using AI, satellite data, drones and other technologies for areas including farming, biodiversity and carbon management.
Taken together, Google's announcements show how the company is trying to use AI beyond chatbots and software. This time, the focus is on rooftops, farms, water, electricity and waste, some of India's most everyday climate challenges.- EndsPublished By: Kazi NasirPublished On: Sep 11, 2026 17:53 ISTAlso Read | Samsung starts selling Galaxy S26 Ultra and S26 at up to 85 percent lower prices, details hereAlso Read | Sridhar Vembu warns companies not to trust frontier AI labs, asks them to build their own AIAlso Read | Researchers warn about new Android malware that can steal OTPs, spy on WhatsApp and harass victims
