The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is seeking public comments on a draft amendment to the “Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM)” order for solar photovoltaic cells. This office memorandum was issued on September 7, 2024.
The ALMM order, issued in 2019, establishes a system for registering qualified solar PV modules and their manufacturers. Currently, the order only lists approved models and manufacturers of modules in List-I.
According to the draft amendment, all projects falling under the purview of ALMM shall have to mandatorily source their solar PV modules from models and manufacturers included in ALMM List-I for solar PV modules. Such solar PV modules in turn shall have to use solar PV cells from amongst the models and manufacturers enlisted in ALMM List-II for solar PV cells.
The draft amendment proposes that all projects covered under ALMM and are bid-out shall have a clause in their tender documents / Request for Selection (RfS) documents that the solar PV modules and solar PV cells used in such projects shall be from the models and manufacturers included in ALMM List-I and ALMM List-II. The only exception to this requirement is for projects commissioned prior to the effective date of ALMM List-II for solar PV cells, i.e. April 1, 2026.
The solar PV modules which are presently enlisted in ALMM List-I (for solar PV modules) and have their ALMM enlistment validity expiry date beyond March 31, 2026, shall also have to use solar PV cells from ALMM List-II (for solar PV cells) from April 1, 2026 onwards, failing which, they will be liable to be delisted from ALMM List-I.
Reason for the Amendment
The Indian solar industry is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years. This amendment aims to establish a framework for approving solar PV cell manufacturers, ensuring the quality and reliability of these cells used in solar modules.
The MNRE encourages stakeholders to review the draft amendment and submit their comments or suggestions by email to karndhar.sg@nic.in before October 6, 2024.
