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ALMM-Approved Solar Module Capacity Reaches 173 GW After Latest Expansion

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has further expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), adding 11,035 MW of solar module manufacturing capacity in its latest revision. With this addition, the total enlisted module capacity under ALMM has climbed to 173,144 MW (173 GW).

Among the new entrants to the list are Startup Energy (1,034 MW), Rajdeep Solar Energy (194 MW), Army Solar Energy (622 MW), Sahjanand Green Energy (193 MW), and Best Apartment (1,105 MW), collectively contributing a significant portion of the newly added capacity.

Several existing manufacturers have also enhanced their approved capacities. Insolation Green Energy increased its enlisted capacity by 1,491 MW, Solex Energy by 2,434 MW, Swelect HHV Solar (Swelect Energy Systems) by 46 MW, Vikram Solar by 3,358 MW, Websol Energy System by 337 MW, Nithin Sai Renewables by 218 MW, and Macwin Solar Energy by 3 MW.

This expansion follows MNRE’s previous update, which added 17,268 MW of module capacity. The ministry also recently issued the fifth revised ALMM List-II for solar cells, incorporating an additional 437 MW of cell manufacturing capacity.

Meanwhile, solar developers have raised concerns over the limited operational capacity for Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) technology and the risk of project delays. They have urged MNRE to consider a time-bound extension of the ALMM List-II mandate, which is scheduled to come into effect on June 1, 2026. Under this requirement, only solar cells listed under ALMM List-II can be used for manufacturing modules for eligible projects.

As part of efforts to promote backward integration in the domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem, the government has proposed mandating the use of domestically produced wafers under ALMM from June 1, 2028. Projects covered under ALMM regulations must source modules from ALMM List-I manufacturers, which in turn must use cells from ALMM List-II. These cells will eventually need to be produced using wafers enlisted under ALMM List-III.

For inclusion in ALMM List-III, wafer manufacturers must have ingot manufacturing capacity equivalent to the wafer capacity they seek to register. At present, India does not have operational wafer or ingot manufacturing capacity, highlighting a critical gap in the solar value chain.