MNRE clears confusion over ALMM cell rules for rooftop solar
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a detailed clarification on the applicability of the Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar PV cells, providing greater certainty for developers across utility-scale, rooftop, net-metering and captive solar projects.
Issued through an Office Memorandum dated August 4, 2026, the clarification specifies how ALMM List-II requirements will apply based on project category, bidding timelines and commissioning dates. It also clarifies that the revised provisions do not alter Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) obligations under existing government schemes.
Bidding-based projects
For projects awarded through competitive bidding, MNRE has linked the applicability of ALMM List-II to the last date of bid submission.
Projects for which the bid submission deadline was on or before August 31, 2025, are exempt from the requirement to use ALMM List-II-listed solar PV cells. The Ministry noted that this date falls one month after the publication of the revised ALMM List-II order on July 31, 2025.
However, projects with bid submission dates between December 9, 2024, when ALMM for solar PV cells was first notified, and July 28, 2025, will continue to be governed by the provisions of their respective tender documents. Where such tenders explicitly required the use of ALMM-listed solar PV cells, those conditions will continue to apply and will not be relaxed by the July 28, 2025 amendment.
Net-metering and open access
MNRE has clarified that net-metering and open access solar projects commissioned on or before December 31, 2026, will be exempt from ALMM List-II requirements.
The exemption applies irrespective of whether the project was initiated before or after July 18, 2026, and developers are not required to submit applications through the designated exemption portal. However, compliance with ALMM List-I for solar PV modules will continue to be mandatory for all such projects.
For residential rooftop consumers opting for the “Give It Up Subsidy” option under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the exemption from ALMM List-II will remain available until March 31, 2027, which marks the end of the scheme period. Availing this exemption will require an application through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal.
Government rooftop projects
The Office Memorandum also specifies separate treatment for rooftop solar projects installed on government buildings.
For projects awarded through competitive bidding, installations with bid submission dates on or before December 9, 2024, will remain exempt from ALMM List-II. Projects with bid submission dates between December 9, 2024, and July 28, 2025, will continue to be governed by the provisions contained in their respective tender documents.
Projects with bid submission dates between July 28, 2025, and August 31, 2025, will also qualify for exemption, while those with bid submission dates after August 31, 2025, will be required to comply with ALMM List-II.
For government rooftop projects that were not awarded through competitive bidding, exemption from the cell-level requirement will be available only if commissioning takes place on or before December 31, 2026.
Behind-the-meter projects
The Ministry has reiterated that both ALMM List-I for modules and ALMM List-II for cells are not applicable to behind-the-meter solar plants installed exclusively for captive consumption by non-government consumers.
For government entities and public sector enterprises, however, such captive projects must continue to use ALMM-listed solar PV modules. They will remain exempt from ALMM List-II only if commissioned by December 31, 2026. Projects commissioned after that date will be required to comply with both ALMM List-I and ALMM List-II requirements.
DCR unchanged
MNRE has also clarified that the latest ALMM-related notifications do not alter the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) applicable under various government schemes.
According to the Ministry, DCR provisions will continue to be governed by the respective scheme guidelines and remain unaffected by any clarification or exemption issued under the ALMM framework.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
