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MNRE Clarifies ALMM List-II Rules for Government Rooftop Solar Projects Awarded Before August 31, 2025

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a clarification regarding the applicability of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, providing greater regulatory certainty for rooftop solar projects installed on government buildings. The clarification confirms that eligible government projects awarded through competitive bidding on or before August 31, 2025, will remain exempt from the mandatory requirement to procure ALMM List-II-approved solar cells, although they must continue to use solar modules listed under ALMM List-I.

The clarification, issued through an Office Memorandum dated July 6, 2026, addresses concerns raised by developers, public sector agencies, and implementing authorities regarding the transition to India's domestic solar manufacturing framework. By resolving ambiguity over compliance requirements, the ministry aims to ensure uninterrupted execution of government rooftop solar projects that were tendered before the revised cut-off date.

Under the original implementation framework notified by MNRE on December 9, 2024, the use of ALMM List-II-approved solar cells became mandatory for applicable projects commissioned on or after June 1, 2026. The policy requires developers to procure solar modules from manufacturers listed under ALMM List-I, with those modules using solar cells sourced exclusively from manufacturers included in ALMM List-II. The framework is designed to strengthen India's domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem, improve supply chain resilience, and reduce dependence on imported photovoltaic components.

The ministry noted that the December 2024 guidelines had already exempted certain net-metering and open-access renewable energy projects commissioned before June 1, 2026, from the requirement to use ALMM-approved solar cells, while continuing to mandate the use of ALMM-listed modules. Subsequently, through an Office Memorandum issued on July 28, 2025, MNRE revised the implementation framework following the publication of the first ALMM List-II on July 31, 2025. The amendment effectively shifted the relevant cut-off date for projects awarded through competitive bidding to August 31, 2025.

Following representations from industry stakeholders, the ministry issued another clarification on August 12, 2025, extending relief to eligible government projects implemented under net-metering, behind-the-meter, and open-access mechanisms. Under this provision, projects where the last date for bid submission was on or before August 31, 2025, are not required to source solar cells from manufacturers listed under ALMM List-II. However, developers must continue to procure solar PV modules from manufacturers approved under ALMM List-I, ensuring compliance with India's approved module sourcing requirements.

To further remove implementation-related uncertainties, MNRE released a detailed set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on September 23, 2025. The FAQs clarified that the exemption applies only to projects awarded through competitive bidding where the final bid submission deadline fell on or before August 31, 2025, and only if the respective bids remained active as of July 28, 2025. These conditions are intended to prevent misuse of the exemption while protecting projects that were tendered before the revised policy came into effect.

The ALMM framework forms a key pillar of India's strategy to develop a self-reliant solar manufacturing industry. By encouraging the use of domestically approved solar modules and cells, the policy supports the government's broader Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, promotes local manufacturing, and complements incentive programmes such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for high-efficiency solar PV modules. The framework is also expected to strengthen quality assurance and improve the long-term reliability of solar installations across the country.

The latest clarification provides much-needed certainty for government agencies, developers, and EPC contractors executing rooftop solar projects, enabling them to proceed with ongoing installations without disrupting procurement plans. At the same time, it preserves the government's long-term objective of gradually transitioning the sector toward greater adoption of domestically manufactured solar cells and modules, supporting both India's renewable energy targets and the growth of its indigenous solar manufacturing ecosystem.