Due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalent situation because of the subsequent lockdown, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) with the approval of the Union Minister of Power, has decided to extend the deadlines for approved list of models and manufacturers (ALMM) List 1 (solar PV modules) and ALMM List-II (solar PV cells) by six months from March 31, 2020, to September 30, 2020.

To ensure the reliability of solar PV manufacturers and protect the consumers’ interests, the MNRE had issued Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules Order 2019.

The ALMM order provides for the enlistment of eligible models and manufacturers of solar PV cells and modules complying with the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification and publish the same in the list called the ALMM.

According to the ALMM Order 2019, List I consists of models and manufacturers of solar PV modules and List II consists of models and manufacturers of solar PV cells and the effective date for the implementation of the lists was fixed as March 31, 2020.

As per the ALMM Order 2019, all government projects or projects under government programs installed in the country will have to source their modules from models and manufacturers included in the ALMM List I (for modules). For the deployment of solar modules after the effective date of March 31, 2020, the solar PV module manufacturers will have to mandatorily source solar cells from manufacturers listed in ALMM List-II (for cells).

Recently, the renewable industry had written to the MNRE asking for the implementation of ALMM to be extended to at least June 30, 2021, citing the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, among other issues. Mercom had suggested the date should be moved to the end of the year to give the industry the chance to stand on its feet again.

Mercom previously 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.

In March 2019, the Ministry had 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.

The Coronavirus pandemic has started to take a toll on the economic as well as social conditions of the country, and renewable energy has also been affected by it. The government is making efforts to support the industry in getting up on its feet and face the challenge. You can find out all the latest developments and the impact of COVID-19 on the renewable industry on Mercom India’s live updates blog for Coronavirus.