As a solar panel manufacturer, staying ahead of policy shifts is critical—not just for compliance, but for planning our procurement, supply chain, and client delivery timelines. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has just issued a significant amendment to the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order related to solar PV cells, and for many of us in the module manufacturing business, it’s a timely and much-needed clarification.
What’s Changed?
On July 28, 2025, MNRE released a clarification that directly impacts how and when the ALMM mandate for solar PV cells will be enforced. For module manufacturers like us, who are actively preparing for future government and open-access tenders, this move brings clarity and breathing space.
Here’s what it means for us:
ALMM Compliance for Solar Cells Won’t Be Immediate
MNRE has confirmed that the ALMM List-II (for solar PV cells) will not become mandatory immediately upon publication. Instead, there will be a one-month grace period. This is a huge relief. It gives manufacturers and developers a realistic window to align sourcing and inventory planning.
Commissioning Deadline Still June 1, 2026
The ministry has not changed the existing rule that all solar projects commissioned on or after June 1, 2026, must use ALMM-listed cells and modules. So, while we do have a clear final deadline, we also now know that:
Projects Bid Before the Cut-off Are Exempt
Perhaps the most impactful clause:
If a solar project is tendered or bid (including under Section 63 competitive bidding) on or before the cut-off date (defined as one month after the cell list gets published), it is not required to use ALMM-listed cells, even if the commissioning happens after June 1, 2026.
This means EPCs and developers can proceed confidently with tenders floated now, and we manufacturers can meet their module needs without scrambling for ALMM-listed cell supply immediately.
So, What’s the Timeline for Us?
| Milestone | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 📄 ALMM List-II Published | Trigger event for the cell compliance clock |
| ⏳ + 1 Month Grace Period | ALMM cell mandate becomes applicable |
| 🔁 Bid Submitted Before Cut-off | No ALMM cell requirement |
| 📆 Project Commissioned ≥ June 1, 2026 | Must use ALMM-listed cells and modules |
Why This Matters to Us as Manufacturers?
- Procurement Clarity: We can now clearly inform our procurement teams and supply chain partners about when ALMM cell requirements kick in.
- Production Planning: No sudden disruption. We can ramp up gradually to integrate ALMM-compliant cells into our module lines.
- Assurance for Customers: Developers and EPCs are always wary of policy shifts. This amendment gives us a chance to assure them that projects tendered now won’t face last-minute ALMM-related shocks.
- Support for Domestic Ecosystem: The phased implementation will help domestic solar cell manufacturers (most of whom are still scaling) to align with module demand, rather than being overwhelmed all at once.
Source: MNRE
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