The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an amendment to its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order for solar PV cells, originally notified to be applicable from June 1, 2026. As per the amendment, the ALMM for solar PV cells will become mandatory one month after the publication of the ALMM list, which is currently under process. This amendment modifies the earlier order issued in December 2024, and is applicable to projects bid out by government agencies, including those under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
The date for mandatory use of ALMM-listed solar PV cells for projects commissioned from June 1, 2026, however, remains unchanged. This amendment is intended to provide better visibility to bidders while participating in tenders that include provisions for mandatory usage of ALMM-listed solar modules and cells. Additionally, the measure is expected to ease compliance challenges for developers and promote the expansion of solar cell manufacturing, enabling it to match the rapid growth in module production capacity across the country.
In May 2025, the MNRE clarified that net billing, virtual net metering, and group net metering will be treated at par with net metering under ALMM List-II, with solar cells to be included in the list starting June 2026.
