The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has reaffirmed the mandatory requirement to use domestically produced solar photovoltaic (PV) cells listed under the Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) starting June 1, 2026, for clean energy projects across India
Key Updates:
Mandatory List-II for Solar Cells: From June 2026, all solar PV modules deployed in government programs, net-metering, and open access energy projects must be manufactured using solar cells included in ALMM List II
Transition Period Clarified: The mandatory use of List II cells is applicable starting one month after the release of the finalized ALMM list. However, the June 1, 2026 timeline remains unchanged for projects commissioned on or after that date.
Exemptions for Early Bids: Projects where bid submission deadlines fall before the publication of the ALMM cell list will be exempt from List II requirements, regardless of their commissioning dates
Rationale Behind the Policy:
This update aligns with India’s broader goal of boosting domestic solar manufacturing capacity and reducing dependence on imports, particularly from China
Currently, India’s installed PV module capacity stands at ~91 GW, while solar cell manufacturing remains at ~27 GW—demonstrating the need for policy clarity during this expansion phase
Why This Matters:
Builders and developers now get clear compliance guidelines, removing ambiguity in upcoming tender submissions.
The policy is designed to streamline the growth of solar cell manufacturing in India to match the rising module capacity.
By enforcing ALMM compliance for solar cells, India aims to deepen its solar value chain while improving energy security and reliability.
Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | June 1, 2026 – mandatory use of ALMM List-II solar cells |
| Grace Period | One month after official publication of List-II |
| Exemptions | Projects with bid submissions before the ALMM cell list publication |
| Applicability | Government, net-metering & open access renewable energy schemes |
| Policy Goals | Strengthening domestic manufacturing and ensuring quality in PV cell supply chains |