MNRE Issues Amendment Mandating ALMM Compliance For Solar PV Cells From June 2026

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an amendment to its Office Memorandum dated 09.12.2024 regarding the implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar PV cells. This update builds upon the ALMM Order of 02.01.2019, which initially included two lists: List-I for solar PV modules and List-II for solar PV cells. Until now, List-II had not been issued due to insufficient domestic manufacturing capacity. However, with the installed capacity of solar PV cells in India expected to rise significantly, MNRE has now proposed to operationalize List-II from 1st June 2026.

As per the amendment, all projects falling under ALMM will be required to use solar PV modules listed in ALMM List-I and ensure that these modules are made using solar PV cells from ALMM List-II. This condition will apply based on specific timelines. For projects where the last date of bid submission is on or before the issuance of the 09.12.2024 order, they will be exempt from the requirement to use cells from ALMM List-II, regardless of their commissioning date.

For all projects whose last date of bid submission falls after a “cut-off date”—defined as one month after the publication of ALMM List-II—such projects must use both modules from ALMM List-I and cells from ALMM List-II. Even if such projects are commissioned before 1st June 2026, the requirement still holds. If tenders were issued before the 09.12.2024 order but the bid submission date falls after the cut-off date, bidding agencies must amend the tender to reflect ALMM compliance for cells.

From 1st June 2026 onward, only those modules in List-I that use cells from ALMM List-II will remain in the primary ALMM list. Manufacturers not complying with this will be delisted. However, MNRE will maintain a separate ALMM List-I(a) for modules not using ALMM-listed cells. These will only be applicable to projects that are exempted from the solar cell requirement.

There is no relaxation in the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) norms for government schemes like PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, and CPSU Phase-II. Net-metering and open access renewable energy projects are currently mandated to use ALMM-listed modules. If these projects are commissioned before 1st June 2026, they are exempt from using ALMM-listed cells. Projects commissioned after that date must use both ALMM-listed modules and cells.

MNRE also clarified that thin-film technology-based modules manufactured in integrated units listed in ALMM List-I are considered compliant with ALMM List-II requirements. The procedural guidelines for the enlistment of solar PV cells under ALMM List-II will be issued separately. This amendment has been approved by the Hon’ble Minister of New and Renewable Energy.