BEE sets February 28 deadline for solar inverter re-registration

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has directed manufacturers of grid-connected solar inverters to re-register their existing models by February 28, 2026, to continue under the mandatory Standards and Labelling (S&L) programme. The requirement applies following the programme’s implementation from January 1, 2026.

In an advisory issued by BEE, manufacturers seeking continuation of registration for currently approved inverter models have been asked to upload their earlier approval letter along with a sample label reflecting updated validity. This submission is to be supported by a completed proforma confirming the manufacturer’s intent to continue under the programme. The online submission window opened on January 6, 2026, and will remain available until February 28, 2026.

BEE has clarified that inverter models for which continuation requests are not submitted by the deadline will be automatically deactivated. The advisory follows a notification issued by the Ministry of Power in November 2025, which prescribed minimum overall efficiency requirements for grid-connected solar inverters up to 100 kW capacity manufactured in or imported into India. These standards apply from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

The notified efficiency thresholds differ by inverter capacity. Inverters below 1 kW are required to meet a minimum overall efficiency of 92%. For capacities between 1 kW and 3 kW, the threshold is 93%, rising to 95% for 3 kW to 5 kW and 96% for 5 kW to 10 kW. Inverters in the 10 kW to 20 kW range are required to achieve 97% efficiency, while those above 20 kW are required to meet a minimum of 98%. BEE has specified that no negative tolerance is allowed, and products are expected to meet or exceed the prescribed levels after accounting for manufacturing variations.

The standards are aligned with testing protocols specified under IS 17980:2022 and IEC 62891:2020. Participation in the labelling programme requires compliance with the latest Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms and testing in accordance with IS 17980:2022. Test reports are to be issued by laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC), or the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE). The BEE endorsement label will indicate efficiency categories derived from static Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) efficiency and steady state conversion efficiency.

The updated requirements are intended to improve product efficiency, strengthen quality benchmarks, and enhance transparency for consumers in India’s expanding solar inverter market.

The featured photograph is for representation only.