India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has begun soliciting input from stakeholders on draft guidelines for an Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) specifically for solar cells, with plans to roll it out by April 2026.
This move reflects the MNRE’s strategy to support the growing solar energy sector, expecting a major surge in solar capacity within the next two years. According to Mercom India’s “State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 2024” report, India’s solar PV cell production capacity could leap from 5.8 GW in December 2023 to over 75 GW by 2026.
The ALMM policy, originally introduced to shield the local solar industry from foreign competition—particularly from China—has functioned as a non-tariff measure, enhancing opportunities for domestic manufacturers to expand their market presence.
The MNRE had previously established an ALMM for solar modules, ensuring that only products meeting specific efficiency standards and certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) are permitted for use in government-backed solar projects. As of April 2024, over 50 GW of module capacity from various manufacturers have been listed. To comply with the ALMM regulations, all projects must source both PV modules and cells from the approved list, unless they were initiated before the issuance of the mandate.
Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback on the draft guidelines by October 6, 2024.
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