MNRE Proposes Standardized 14-Digit Naming System For ALMM List-II Solar Cells

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released a revised draft proposal to introduce a standardized nomenclature system for solar photovoltaic (PV) cell models listed under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II. The proposal was issued through an Office Memorandum dated October 5, 2026, and incorporates feedback received from stakeholders on the initial draft circulated on August 3, 2026.

MNRE has invited further comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the revised nomenclature framework until October 12, 2026. The proposed system is intended to bring greater uniformity to solar cell model names and improve identification, traceability, and transparency across the PV manufacturing and supply chain.

At present, solar cell manufacturers use different proprietary naming practices for their products. This has resulted in variations in model names and inconsistencies in the technical information associated with listed cells. The proposed framework seeks to establish a common identification format that can be used for regulatory, commercial, and traceability purposes.

Under the proposed system, every solar cell model enlisted under ALMM List-II will carry the manufacturer’s brand name, followed by a 14-digit alphanumeric identification code. The code will provide information about the sourcing origin, cell manufacturing location, technology, wafer size, and efficiency of the product.

The first three positions of the code will identify the sourcing origin of polysilicon, ingots, and wafers. Each component will be classified as domestic (D) or foreign (F). The fourth position will indicate whether the solar cell itself is manufactured domestically or overseas.

MNRE has also clarified that cells manufactured using imported “blue wafers”, referring to diffused silicon wafers, will not be considered domestically manufactured under the proposed classification. This distinction is expected to help determine the domestic origin of cells used for ALMM-listed solar modules.

Positions five and six will identify the cell technology. The proposed codes include MP for Mono PERC, TC for TOPCon, HJ for Heterojunction (HJT), BC for Back Contact, and PS for Perovskite technology. Positions seven and eight will specify wafer size, with codes including MA for M10, MB for M10R, GA for G12, and GB for G12R.

Positions nine to eleven will represent cell efficiency. These three digits will correspond to the truncated first three digits of the cell’s percentage efficiency. For example, a solar cell with an efficiency of 25.67% would receive the code “256”. The final three positions, 12 to 14, will remain reserved for future designations.

MNRE has stated that all new inspections conducted by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) for ALMM List-II enlistment will follow the proposed nomenclature system. Solar cell models that have already been enlisted or inspected before the memorandum will also need to be renamed according to the standardized format within two months.

Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions on the revised proposal to MNRE at azmal.mnre@gov.in by October 12, 2026.