The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited comments on its draft order for expanding the threshold solar module efficiencies for enlistment in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers List-I.

Stakeholders must submit their feedback by December 27, 2025.

The draft proposes increasing the minimum module efficiency threshold for the enlistment of solar modules in ALMM List-I in utility-scale, rooftop and solar pumping, off-grid distributed renewable energy (DRE) projects with less than 200 W capacity, and in other applications.

MNRE proposes to expand the threshold for utility-scale projects with modules using common silicon (c-Si) technology from 20% to 21% from January 1, 2027, and to 21.5% from January 1, 2028.  For projects using the cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film technology, the threshold will increase from the 19% to 20% from January 1, 2027, and to 20.5% from January 1, 2028.

Rooftop and solar projects with modules using c-Si technology will have their threshold expanded from the 19.5% to 20.5% from January 1, 2027, and to 21% from January 1, 2028. For projects using the CdTe thin-film technology, the threshold will increase from 18.5% to 19.5% from January 1, 2027, and to 20% from January 1, 2028.

The draft proposes that off-grid DRE projects with less than 200 W capacity with modules using c-Si technology will have their threshold expanded from 18% to 19% from January 1, 2027, and to 19.5% from January 1, 2028. For projects using the CdTe thin-film technology, the threshold will increase from the current 18% to 19% from January 1, 2027, and to 19.5% from January 1, 2028.

Other applications with modules using c-Si technology will have their threshold expanded from 19% to 20% from January 1, 2027, and to 20.5% from January 1, 2028. For projects using the CdTe thin-film technology, the threshold will increase from the current 18% to 19% from January 1, 2027, and to 19.5% from January 1, 2028.

MNRE stated that solar modules currently enlisted or to be enlisted under ALMM in the next few months, but with efficiencies below the revised thresholds, will be removed from List-I once the revisions become effective.

Recently, MNRE expanded the ALMM by adding 5,255 MW of solar module capacity. The cumulative module manufacturing capacity under ALMM now stands at 121,722 MW.

India’s solar module manufacturing capacity under the ALMM reached the 100 GW milestone in August 2025, up from just 2.3 GW in 2014.