The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a new amendment to the Approved Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order, which will mandate the use of domestically manufactured solar PV cells in solar modules.
Key Points of the Amendment
The government will introduce a separate list for solar PV cells, similar to the existing list for solar PV modules.
The new regulations will be implemented in phases. Projects with bid submissions before the issuance of this order will be exempt from the requirement of using domestically manufactured solar PV cells.
All solar PV modules used in projects bid out after the issuance of this order must use solar PV cells from the ALMM List-II.
These projects will also be subject to the ALMM regulations, with certain exemptions for projects commissioned before June 1, 2026.
Solar PV modules manufactured using thin-film technology in integrated manufacturing units will be deemed compliant with the ALMM regulations.
This amendment is expected to have a significant impact on the Indian solar industry. It will encourage domestic manufacturing of solar PV cells, create jobs, and reduce India’s dependence on imports. However, it may also lead to increased costs for solar projects in the short term.
