India Brings ALMM List-II For Solar Cells Into Force

The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for domestically produced solar cells has officially come into effect in India from June 1, 2026, signaling the enforcement of new compliance requirements for solar module supply chains. 

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced the measure in December 2024 giving time to the industry to meet the mandatory requirement (see India To Impose ALMM For Solar Cells From June 1, 2026).  

As of April 30, 2026, with the 7th revision, India’s total ALMM List-II enlisted cell capacity exceeded 30.3 GW with the addition of heterojunction (HJT) cell production capacity from Reliance Industries Limited (see India Solar PV News Snippets). 

Introduced by the ministry’s ALMM Order, 2019, the directive aims to ensure quality and reliability of solar PV modules and cells used in India while boosting domestic solar PV manufacturing industry. The framework is designed to verify manufacturers and prevent misrepresentation of production sources. Under ALMM, List-I covers approved solar module makers, while List-II covers approved solar cell manufacturers. An upcoming List-III, to be enforced from June 1, 2028, will focus on ingots and wafers (see India To Enforce ALMM List-III For Ingots, Wafers On June 1, 2028).   

Use of ALMM-listed products is mandatory in all government and government-supported solar projects, including other specified power procurement arrangements.  

The downstream industry was seeking either a deadline extension or phased implementation for ALMM List-II to protect investments already made by developers as they sought alignment of demand with actual domestic solar cell production capacity, especially that of TOPCon cells.  

However, in its latest notice issued on May 25, 2026, the ministry reiterated the mandate for all net-metering and open access renewable energy projects commissioned on or after 1 June 2026 to use solar PV modules from ALMM List-I and solar cells from ALMM List-II. 

Developers nevertheless sped up project execution ahead of the June 1, 2026 deadline to be able to use non-domestic content requirement (DCR) modules anticipating higher procurement costs and also to meet Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charge-waiver benefits. According to Mercom India Research, India’s Q1 2026 solar installations jumped 143% YoY to 15.3 GW, including 2.7 GW of open access capacity that increased by 160% on annual and 55% sequential basis (see India Adds Record 15.3 GW Solar PV Capacity In Q1 2026).  

While the move is aimed at supporting domestic solar PV manufacturing industry by creating demand for DCR cells and modules, industry sources say the mandate for their use even in open access and commercial and industrial (C&I) projects may bring down demand in the near term.    

To this, the ministry has refused blanket extension but has offered either exemptions or time extensions on case-by-case basis, for projects that have completed module installations but are yet to the commissioned or those that are at an advanced stage of grounding, provided they can prove the same with comprehensive and traceable paperwork (see MNRE Keeps ALMM List-II Deadline, Allows Case-Based Relief).  

While repercussions of the ALMM List-II enforcement on projects and the broader industry remain to be seen, the move is structurally beneficial for vertical integration of the domestic manufacturing industry.   

Meanwhile, following up on its recent directive, the ministry has now informed renewable energy developers that requests for time extension for commissioning beyond June 1, 2026 must be submitted only through the dedicated DCR portal along with the required supporting documents and evidence.  

The ministry has said that eligible developers, as defined under the memorandum, should ensure their claims are filed within the prescribed timelines. It is not accepting physical applications, specifying that all submissions must be complete, accurate, and duly authenticated.  

Developers have been directed to use the online DCR portal at https://solardcrportal.nise.res.in/ to submit their requests.