MNRE Mandates DCR Verification Portal For Solar PV Modules To Boost Domestic Manufacturing Compliance

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has made significant changes to its Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) guidelines for solar PV modules. A new provision, introduced through an office memorandum on August 7, 2024, mandates that all solar PV manufacturers must use the DCR Verification Portal operated by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) to verify the authenticity of their domestically manufactured solar modules. The portal will serve as the exclusive mechanism for verifying DCR compliance in solar PV modules deployed across India.

According to the updated guidelines, all manufacturers listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) must register their solar PV manufacturing facilities on the DCR Verification Portal within one month of the issuance of the order. They are also required to input data about the solar PV modules and cells they manufacture. The portal, accessible at https://solardcrportal.nise.res.in, will track the production and certification of solar cells and modules, ensuring they meet the DCR criteria.

The government is taking these steps to ensure the credibility and traceability of domestically produced solar products. This is in line with the government’s push to promote the use of local content in solar projects under schemes like CPSU Scheme Phase-II, PM Surya, and PM-KUSUM. The DCR provisions aim to reduce dependence on imported solar products, supporting the growth of India’s domestic manufacturing capacity.

Further, the updated guidelines specify that any solar PV module whose DCR compliance cannot be verified through the portal will not be accepted under these key government schemes from December 1, 2024, onwards. This means that only modules that pass the verification process will be eligible for deployment under these initiatives, ensuring that the government’s renewable energy goals are met with genuine, domestically manufactured products.

In addition, any manufacturer found to violate the DCR verification process could face penalties, as outlined in previous MNRE circulars. Manufacturers applying for enlistment, renewal, or model addition in the ALMM must now submit a certificate from the manufacturer on their official letterhead. This certificate should confirm that the data on the modules and cells being submitted for approval is accurate and has been uploaded to the DCR portal.

These measures are designed to streamline the verification process and ensure that the country’s solar projects adhere to the guidelines set forth by the government, contributing to the growth of the solar manufacturing sector in India. The new rules reflect the government’s commitment to supporting domestic solar manufacturing, reducing costs, and increasing transparency in solar energy projects.