The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadline for compliance with and implementation of the Quality Control Order, 2017, for solar photovoltaic inverters until June 30, 2023.

The self-certification deadline extension was provided in view of the availability of limited test facilities which would mean more time for compliance.

According to the notification, the manufacturers should have valid International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certificates and test reports from accredited test labs for the smooth implementation of the order.

Earlier, MNRE had extended the self-certification of solar photovoltaic inverters under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) from June 30, 2022, to December 31, 2022.

The government had issued the ‘Solar PV Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2017’ for the requirement of compulsory registration with six products included in the schedule on September 5, 2017.

Since then, the deadline has been extended several times.

The whole certification process seems to be a bit time-consuming. The situation has been exacerbated by high testing fees and the non-availability of enough testing facilities across the country. MNRE has been trying to tread carefully by giving inverter manufacturers ample time for self-certification.

However, things are moving at a snail’s pace, thus making manufacturers unsure about the process. There have been repeated calls from stakeholders for clarity regarding the various steps involved in the certification procedure. Industry associations had brought the problems relating to the testing of inverters up to a capacity of 150 kW to MNRE’s notice.

Earlier in 2019, MNRE had approved the series guidelines for grouping solar inverters. These guidelines pertain to conducting tests in laboratories for the implementation of a quality control order that was introduced in 2017.

The guidelines also included testing for any change in the design and material of solar inverters.

Further, if there is a change in the construction or components of the products, they will have to undergo a fresh round of testing.

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