Centre relaxes solar module sourcing rules to boost rooftop installations

Residential rooftop solar projects under PM Surya Ghar not availing central subsidy will remain exempt from ALMM List-II for solar cells until March 2027

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has eased the implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), aimed at increasing the uptake of domestically manufactured solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and cells.

 

On Monday, the ministry clarified that consumers of residential rooftop solar (RTS) systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY), commissioned through net metering but not availing of central financial assistance, will be exempt from the applicability of ALMM List-II for solar cells until the end of the scheme period on March 31, 2027.

 

The exemption is subject to the condition that applications are made only through the PMSG national portal. Such projects will not be required to apply separately on the domestic content requirement portal of the National Institute of Solar Energy (Nise) to claim exemption from ALMM-II. The ministry added that no other RTS projects will qualify for the exemption.

   

In a separate memorandum, the ministry approved the waiver of factory inspections for higher-wattage solar PV module models within the same manufacturing facility. It said, “Higher-wattage models of solar PV modules, having wattage up to 3 per cent higher than the highest-wattage solar PV module already enlisted in ALMM, can be enlisted without physical inspection, provided the manufacturing facility remains the same, the production line and machinery remain unchanged, and the necessary documentation for higher power bins is duly submitted and reviewed.”

 

However, the relaxation will be allowed only if the model on which the 3 per cent increase in wattage is being claimed was enlisted through a process involving factory inspection. If the increase in wattage exceeds 3 per cent, Nise will conduct an online inspection to verify the I-V curves of the highest-wattage module applied for. Following successful verification, the module can be processed for ALMM enlistment.

 

An I-V curve is a graphical representation plotting electrical current against voltage and is used to evaluate the performance and efficiency of solar modules. The waiver will apply only in cases where there is no change in module design, module or cell size, or configuration. The ministry said the move is intended to simplify the ALMM enlistment process for higher-wattage solar PV modules where the increase in wattage results from improved efficiency or higher wattage of solar cells.

 

It added that the inclusion of higher-wattage module models, either without inspection or through online I-V curve verification, will not lead to any change in enlisted manufacturing capacity. However, if a manufacturer also seeks an increase in enlisted module manufacturing capacity, physical inspection will remain mandatory. 

Business ease 

• Consumers of residential rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana are exempt from the applicability of ALMM list II for solar cells until 31st March 2027
• The Ministry approved waiving factory inspections for higher wattage solar PV module models manufactured at the same facility for these companies
• Exemption is subject to the condition that applications are made only through the PMSG national portal
• Such projects will not be required to apply separately on the domestic content requirement portal of Nise