MNRE has proposed a standardized nomenclature for solar PV cells under ALMM List-II
It will cover the origin of polysilicon, ingot, wafer, and cell, along with technology, wafer size, and efficiency
Models already inspected or listed under ALMM List-II would have to adopt the new nomenclature within two months of the final memorandum
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a revised draft proposal to standardize the nomenclature of solar PV cells under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II.
The draft proposes a manufacturer brand name followed by a 14-digit alphanumeric code for every solar cell model enlisted under ALMM List-II. The system is intended to create a uniform basis for identifying cell models and improve traceability across the solar PV value chain.
Under the proposed format, the first four positions of the code would indicate the origin of polysilicon, ingot, wafer, and cell, respectively, using D for domestic and F for foreign.
The next two positions would identify the cell technology. The draft provides codes for Mono PERC (MP), TOPCon (TC), HJT (HJ), Back Contact (BC), and Perovskite (PS), while allowing additional codes to be introduced for emerging technologies.
Two further positions would identify wafer size, with codes. MA will stand for M10, MB for M10R, GA for G12, and GB for G12R. Positions 9 to 11 would represent cell efficiency, with the decimal point omitted. For example, a 24.67% efficient cell would carry the code ‘246’, while a 25.55% cell would be represented as ‘255’. The final three (12 to 14) positions are currently reserved.
MNRE also specifies that cells made using ‘blue wafers’, or diffused silicon wafers, will not qualify as domestically manufactured. Having undergone p/n junction formation and anti-reflective coating, blue wafers are considered closer to unfinished cells than basic wafers. These are therefore barred from DCR projects in India (see No Imported Blue Wafer Cells For DCR PV Projects In India).
The proposal also changes the approach from the nomenclature framework outlined by the MNRE in August 2026. The earlier draft proposed a 14-digit code incorporating product origin, cell technology, wafer size, busbars and a manufacturer-specific identifier. The revised October proposal instead allocates the code to product origin, technology, wafer size and efficiency, while reserving the final three positions (see MNRE Moves To Standardize ALMM List-II Cell Models).
The MNRE said the standardized nomenclature would apply to inspections conducted by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) for new ALMM List-II applications after issuance of the memorandum. Cell models for which inspections have already been completed, as well as models already included in ALMM List-II, would have to be renamed under the new system within two months of issuance of the final memorandum.
The proposed framework is also intended to make the domestic or foreign origin of cells visible for distinguishing between ALMM List-I and List-I(a) solar modules based on their bill of materials (BoM).
“The proposed standardized nomenclature is envisaged to serve as a unique identification framework for every solar PV cell model enlisted under ALMM List-II. Besides facilitating enlistment under ALMM List-II, it is expected to promote uniform identification and traceability of solar PV cells across the value chain and may serve as a common product identifier for regulatory, commercial and other related purposes,” says the MNRE memorandum.
The ministry has invited stakeholder consultation on the revised nomenclature to be submitted latest by October 12, 2026.
The move comes as ALMM List-II has become an increasingly important part of India's solar manufacturing and procurement framework, as the country seeks greater traceability and transparency across the upstream value chain. According to Wood Mackenzie, India is expected to add 130 GW of cell capacity by 2029, requiring a 49% CAGR from the 2026 full-build baseline of 88 GW (see India’s 34 GW DC H1 2026 Solar Surge Strains Cell Supply).
The MNRE implemented ALMM List-II for solar PV cells on June 1, 2026. It subsequently provided a limited exemption window for certain net-metering and open-access renewable energy projects until December 31, 2026. The enlisted solar cell capacity exceeds 35 GW (see India Solar PV News Snippets).
In a related move, the MNRE has also introduced a procedure requiring solar module manufacturers to add a four-character country code to BIS-registered module model numbers. According to the ministry’s notice dated October 1, 2026, the code will identify the country where the module and the cells used in its BoM were manufactured.
Under the new procedure, module model numbers will carry a four-character MMCC country code, with the first two characters indicating the country code where the module is manufactured and the next two identifying the country code where the cells used in the module are manufactured.
Modules using cells from different countries will require separate model numbers, and manufacturers will have 180 days to update existing registrations.
