MNRE proposes standard code for ALMM-listed solar PV cell models
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed a uniform identification system for solar photovoltaic (PV) cell models enlisted under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II, seeking to replace the varied naming conventions currently used by manufacturers with a standardized coding framework.
In a draft proposal circulated to stakeholders, the ministry said the existing model nomenclature is proprietary and differs across manufacturers, making it difficult to uniformly identify the technical characteristics of solar PV cells. The proposed system is intended to improve consistency, traceability and identification of ALMM-listed products.
Standard code
Under the proposal, every solar PV cell model enlisted under ALMM List-II will be assigned a unique 14-character alphanumeric code.
The code will capture key technical attributes of the cell, including whether the wafer, ingot and polysilicon are of domestic (Indian) or foreign origin. It will also identify the cell technology, such as Mono PERC, TOPCon, HJT or Back Contact, along with wafer size, number of busbars and a manufacturer-specific identifier.
According to the ministry, the combination of these parameters will create a unique identification number for each enlisted solar PV cell model.
The draft includes illustrative examples such as DDFTCG12R16R01 and FFFMP0M1010ABC, demonstrating how the proposed coding structure incorporates information on raw material origin, technology type, wafer dimensions, busbar configuration and manufacturer-specific revision or variant codes.
Purpose
MNRE said the proposed nomenclature is intended to establish a uniform method of identifying solar PV cell models across the industry.
In addition to supporting ALMM enlistment, the ministry expects the coding system to improve traceability throughout the solar manufacturing value chain and provide a common product identifier for regulatory and commercial applications.
The proposal also notes that the standardized code could help distinguish between solar modules listed under ALMM List-I and List-I(a) based on their respective Bill of Materials (BoM).
MNRE has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft proposal by August 13, 2026.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
