The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed an amendment to reduce the minimum module efficiency requirement under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers for modules used in off-grid solar projects.

The minimum efficiency for crystalline silicon (c-Si) technology modules used in off-grid solar projects will be reduced to 18% from 19%, per the proposed amendment.

The efficiency for cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film technology modules will remain the same.

The proposed changes apply to off-grid solar power projects/applications, including solar lamps, lights, streetlights, and fans, and exclude solar pumps and rooftop systems. Such projects must use modules of less than 200 Wp capacity each.

MNRE has also proposed creating ALMM List-I (distributed renewable energy) to include off-grid applications and applications like solar street lights and solar fans.

The proposed changes are in response to representations received from stakeholders to lower the module efficiency thresholds for off-grid solar projects.

MNRE also added a fourth category per the proposed amendment. The ‘any other application’ category includes projects other than utility/grid-scale rooftop, solar pump, and off-grid/applications projects.

The new category will have a minimum efficiency of 19% for c-Si modules and 18% for CdTe thin-film modules.

MNRE has invited feedback on the proposed amendment before March 1, 2025.

The minimum module thresholds for utility/grid-scale power projects remain the same at 20% for c-Si modules and 19% for CdTe thin-film modules. Module thresholds for rooftop and solar pumps stay at 19.5% for c-Si modules and 18.5% for CdTe thin-film modules.

Recently, MNRE set performance standards for solar modules, inverters, and storage batteries, including crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic modules, thin-film modules, storage batteries, power inverters, and utility-interconnected inverters.

In January, MNRE added 3 GW of new capacity to the ALMM. The cumulative module manufacturing capacity stands at 67,401 MW.

In 2024, MNRE announced List-II for solar cells under the ALMM, effective June 1, 2026. Including solar cells in ALMM will address the growing domestic production capacity.

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