India launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission in 2009 to create policy conditions to make solar power as affordable as conventional power by 2022 and establish the country as global leader in solar energy. The aim is to achieve grid parity (electricity delivered at the same cost and quality as that delivered on the grid) by 2020, by fostering the installation of 20 GW of solar installations. Achieving this target would establish India as a global leader in solar power generation. This ‘Inside story on climate compatible development’ by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network provides an overview of the initiative, including key lessons and implications. The brief highlights that efforts to streamline projects should not undermine environmental protection, nor the community engagement and flexible systems required for rural electrification.