Something about the stereotypical illiterate Indian trying to eat — with mango chutney — solar panels sent by the United Nations just didn't elicit a laugh.

While international media criticized the jibe, the cartoon raised, albeit inappropriately, a question that may well be on the minds of many in India and elsewhere.

The government wants to produce more than 10 percent of all energy from solar sources within just seven years from now, and over 25 percent by 2030. And yet India struggles with poor infrastructure, relies on coal for 61 percent of its power consumption, and a fifth of its population lives in poverty. Can it really afford a major shift to expensive solar power? 

The Indian government and the country's solar innovators are optimistic. Last month India committed to the Paris agreementto reduce emissions and helped found the International Solar Alliance, a group of 120 countries committed to expanding and improving the use of solar power technology.