Law Updates

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released multiple revisions to ALMM List-II for Solar PV Cells, introducing new entries, model additions, and manufacturing capacity updates for solar photovoltaic cell manufacturers. The revisions, issued between September 2025 and April 2026, expand the list of approved solar cell models eligible for deployment in projects requiring ALMM compliance. Mono PERC, TOPCon, HJT, and bifacial solar cell technologies with different efficiency ranges and manufacturing capacities have also been added to the updated list. New manufacturing sites, capacity improvements, and more approved models under current entries are also included in the modifications. The update mainly aims to strengthen the domestic solar manufacturing capabilities, enhance transparency in approved solar cell procurement, and support the growing demand for high-efficiency solar technologies in India. Stakeholders involved in solar project development, procurement, and compliance should review the latest ALMM List-II revisions to ensure that only approved solar cell models are sourced for applicable projects. The revised entries are valid for specified periods, generally extending up to 2030, subject to continued compliance with applicable requirements.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has updated the ALMM List-I for solar PV modules under the ALMM Order, 2019. This update ensures only BIS-compliant solar module manufacturers and models are enlisted. The enlistment applies to four categories of solar modules: Category I for utility or grid-scale power plants, Category II for rooftop and solar pumping systems, Category III for other applications, such as off-grid solar lamps and streetlights, and Category IV for small off-grid solar applications under 200 watts peak. Each module must meet minimum efficiency standards. For crystalline silicon (c-Si) technology, utility-scale modules must achieve 20%, while rooftop modules require 19.5%. Thin-film CdTe modules must meet 18–19% depending on the application. Only models that meet these efficiency thresholds are considered for ALMM enlistment. The latest revision, Revision-XLIV, updates the previous list dated 13.10.2025. BIS registration validity is mandatory, and any module without active BIS certification is automatically delisted. Each manufacturer and manufacturing unit in the list is assigned a BIS Registration Number. Additional details about certification, validity, and models are available on the BIS website. This change helps everyone trust the solar market more. Only good-quality solar panels get a place on the list. These panels can work in big power plants, on rooftops, and in small off-grid systems like street lights and pumps. Every panel must follow BIS rules to stay on the ALMM list. If the rules are not followed, the panel name gets removed. This keeps solar products in India safe, strong, and ready to give clean power for a long time.