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MNRE Clarifies ALMM Rules for Behind-the-Meter Government Solar Projects

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has clarified that behind-the-meter solar projects for captive consumption by government entities or public sector enterprises must comply with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for both modules and, after June 1, 2026, solar cells. Until this deadline, such projects are exempt from using ALMM-compliant solar cells, though ALMM-listed modules remain mandatory. This clarification follows stakeholder queries regarding exemptions for government-backed behind-the-meter projects executed under RESCO or CapEx models for self-consumption.

The exemption granted in 2022 for behind-the-meter captive projects does not apply to government entities, as they have always been under the ALMM requirement. The updated ALMM list now includes 90.95 GW of approved module capacity and 105 manufacturers. Notably, Reliance Industries and Avaada Electro recently increased their listed capacities by 1,716 MW and 1,272 MW, respectively.

In recent months, MNRE has issued several clarifications regarding ALMM. It stated that PID and non-PID cells will be treated as separate product categories, and that solar cells will fall under ALMM List-II from June 2026. Additionally, net billing, virtual net metering, and group net metering will be treated at par with traditional net metering under the ALMM framework, ensuring broader compliance and promoting domestic solar manufacturing.