MNRE clarifies ALMM exemption for certain government solar projects

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a clarification on the applicability of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for government solar projects.

In its memorandum dated August 12, 2025, the ministry addressed queries on whether government projects under Net Metering, Behind-the-Meter, and Open Access mechanisms are exempt from using solar PV cells listed in ALMM List-II, if their bid submissions were made before the cut-off date of August 31, 2025.

The MNRE stated that such projects, if awarded through bidding and with bid submission deadlines on or before August 31, 2025, will only be required to use solar PV modules from the ALMM List-I. They will not need to use solar PV cells from ALMM List-II. However, the ministry clarified that projects under schemes requiring domestically manufactured solar PV cells and modules will still have to meet those requirements, regardless of the exemption.