The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has introduced List-II for Solar PV Cells under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). It will be effective from June 1, 2026.

The inclusion of solar cells in ALMM addresses the growing domestic production capacity. Until now, only solar modules have been covered in the ALMM.

In September, MNRE issued a draft amendment to the ALMM Order to include solar cells in the ALMM framework.

Mandatory Sourcing Requirements

Projects mandated to use ALMM-enlisted modules (List-I) must ensure these modules are manufactured using cells from List-II, effective June 1, 2026.

Exceptions are provided for projects with bid submission deadlines preceding the issuance of this order, exempting them from the List-II requirement, irrespective of their commissioning date.

Tenders issued post the introduction of the List-II will explicitly include clauses mandating the use of both ALMM List-I and List-II-approved products.

Projects commissioned before June 1, 2026, must comply if their bidding aligns with the revised timeline.

Net-metering and open access renewable energy projects mandated to use ALMM-listed modules must also comply with List-II from June 2026 onwards, except for those commissioned before the cutoff date.

Thin-film technology-based modules manufactured in integrated facilities listed under ALMM List-I are deemed compliant with List-II requirements.

The order also states that after May 31, 2026, a distinct List-1(a) will be maintained for modules meeting List-I criteria but not using List-II cells. These will apply only to exempted projects.

MNRE will release detailed procedural guidelines for enlisting solar cell models and manufacturers under List-II in the coming months.

According to Mercom’s State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 1H 2024 Report, India added 11.3 GW of solar modules and 2 GW of cell manufacturing capacity in the first six months of 2024. The capacity additions were driven by the reinstatement of the ALMM mandate in April this year and a robust solar project pipeline of 132.7 GW planned between 2024 and 2026.