MNRE Proposes Inclusion Of Solar Wafers In ALMM Framework From 2028

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released a draft amendment to its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) Order, proposing the inclusion of solar wafers in the approved list. The announcement, made through an office memorandum dated September 12, 2025, invites comments and suggestions from all stakeholders on the proposed changes. At present, the ALMM mechanism covers only solar PV modules and cells, but the new proposal aims to expand its scope to include wafers as well. This step marks an important move toward standardizing the entire solar PV supply chain in India.

The draft sets out specific conditions for the creation of a new ALMM List-III, which will cover solar wafers. According to the proposal, List III will not be issued unless it includes at least three independent wafer manufacturing units. These units must not be under common ownership or control and must together have an annual manufacturing capacity of at least 15 GW. To qualify, each wafer manufacturer must also have an equivalent ingot manufacturing capacity. This requirement is meant to ensure that the listed capacity is fully backed by both ingot and wafer production capabilities, preventing any gaps in the supply chain.

The proposal also establishes a link across the three ALMM lists. Projects covered by the ALMM mandate will be required to source their solar PV modules from ALMM List-I, which in turn must use cells from ALMM List-II, and now, wafers from ALMM List-III. This system aims to create a seamless quality framework across modules, cells, and wafers, ensuring that all key solar components meet the required standards.

The draft introduces an ‘Effective Date’ of June 1, 2028, for the wafer mandate to come into force. However, a ‘Cut-Off Date’ is also included to provide clarity for ongoing and upcoming projects. Projects for which the last date of bid submission falls before the Cut-Off Date, which is defined as one month after the first wafer list is issued, will not have to comply with the new wafer requirement. These projects will be exempt regardless of their commissioning date. The exemption also applies to projects that bid or signed a power purchase agreement before the Cut-Off Date and later issue a tender for supply.

The memorandum further outlines how different project types will be impacted. Net-metering and open access renewable energy projects commissioned on or after the Effective Date will have to use ALMM-enlisted modules, cells, and wafers. Similarly, government-owned captive projects coming up after the Effective Date must also comply with the full ALMM chain. For thin-film technology-based modules that are already listed under ALMM List-I and are produced by integrated manufacturing units, compliance with wafer and cell requirements will be deemed automatic. Importantly, the draft clarifies that these new rules will not dilute or relax any existing Domestic Content Requirement provisions.

In addition to the main ALMM lists, the draft amendment also proposes the creation of separate lists for modules and cells that do not comply with the full ALMM chain. After the Effective Date, only modules that use both ALMM-listed cells and wafers will remain in the main ALMM List-I. Other modules will be shifted to a new ALMM List-I(a), while cells made from non-listed wafers will go into List-II(a). These separate lists are designed to accommodate projects that are exempt from the wafer mandate while still maintaining clear categorization.

The memorandum, signed by Sanjay G. Karndhar, Scientist-E, calls for all stakeholders to share their views and comments on the draft by October 11, 2025, through email. This initiative highlights MNRE’s continuing effort to strengthen India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem and to ensure that all major components, from wafers to modules, are standardized and quality assured. By gradually bringing wafers under the ALMM framework, the ministry aims to create a more reliable, transparent, and self-reliant solar power industry in the country.