The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a notification shedding light on its earlier order regarding the compulsory registration under the Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules.

The MNRE has stated that the list would consist of List-1 which specifies the models and manufacturers of solar PV modules while List-II will specify the models and manufacturers of solar PV cells. Both the lists will come into effect from March 31, 2020.

The MNRE states that after March 31, 2020, only those models and manufacturers that are included in ALMM lists of solar PV cells and modules will be eligible to use in government or government-assisted projects or projects under government programs. Further, the order will also apply to projects which are set up for the sale of electricity to the government. However, all those projects for which bids have been finalized before the issuance of the ALMM order dated January 2, 2019, will be exempted from the mandatory requirement of procurement of cells and modules enlisted in the ALMM order.

To be included in List-1, the MNRE, in its letter dated January 2, 2019, had stated that manufacturers should first be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The enlistment into List 1 will be valid for two years, which can be renewed on the submission of documents which proves that the manufacturer’s performance has been satisfactory.

MNRE has issued the letter to secretaries of power/energy/renewable energy of states and the chairman and managing director of SECI and NTPC to ensure they follow the order and comply with it. The letters have also been sent to all associations of solar developers and manufacturers, financial institutions, banks to ensure compliance. The letter gives a heads up to all stakeholders to comply and follow the order as the deadline is just a few months away.

Background

In October 2018, the MNRE issued an order to enlist eligible models and manufacturers of solar modules and published a list called the ‘Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).’

In January 2019, the MNRE issued a notification stating that “After March 31, 2020, all government-owned solar projects and others set up for the sale of electricity to the government will be required to procure components from these enlisted vendors.

In March, MNRE issued a set of guidelines to be followed by solar manufacturers for models of modules that will be utilized in government-owned projects and those set up for the sale of electricity to the government. In June, Mercom reported that the MNRE amended its regulation and modified the fee structure for ALMM registration.

Mercom recently analyzed how the standardization and quality control measures for cell and module technology to maintain the quality of products being deployed have affected the solar sector. Find out more about it here.