The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has amended the Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2019. One clause has been modified, and two new clauses have been added.

Factory Inspection

According to the new amended clause, inspection and final enlistment for provisionally enlisted manufacturers must be completed within two months of the application. If the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) has completed the inspection but MNRE has not received the recommendation, the provisional enlistment will automatically become final after two months.

The provisional enlistment will be revoked if solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers cause the inspection delay.

All deemed enlistments will be reviewed, and NISE must report the reasons for any incomplete inspections and procedures to MNRE within two months.

In the earlier clause, provisional enlistment became final if not completed within two months without needing an NISE inspection. The earlier clause also did not mention the revocation of provisional enlistment based on the manufacturer’s actions.

Data Collection Portal

NISE operates a portal to collect production, sales, and export data from Solar PV manufacturers: https://mnre-pv.nise.res.in.

All currently enlisted manufacturers must enter their data starting April 2023 onwards within four weeks from the issuance of this order. Failure to do so may result in delisting from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).

Future applications for enlistment, renewal, or model additions in ALMM must include a certificate from the manufacturer confirming that the data has been entered into the portal. Applications without this certification will be rejected.

DCR Verification Portal

NISE operates another portal to ensure the traceability of domestically manufactured solar PV cells and modules and to verify DCR compliance: https://solardcrportal.nise.res.in.

All existing ALMM enlisted manufacturers must register their facilities and start entering data on this portal within one month from the issuance of this order. This portal will be the sole mechanism for DCR verification.

If a manufacturer claims DCR compliance but fails verification through this portal, they may face penalties.

Future applications for enlistment, renewal, or model additions in ALMM must include a certificate from the manufacturer confirming that data for solar PV modules and cells has been entered into the DCR portal. Applications without this certification will be rejected.

In July, MNRE expanded the ALMM by adding 2,674 MW of new solar module capacity. The cumulative module manufacturing capacity under ALMM stood at 50,675 MW.

After putting it on hold for a year, the ministry reimposed the ALMM mandate on April 1, 2024. Only modules from the ALMM must be used in projects that receive government subsidies. However, for projects where the solar modules were received at the project site by March 31, 2024, but could not be commissioned by that day due to reasons beyond the control of the project developer, the ministry will review such cases.