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India’s solar sector just crossed a massive regulatory milestone. The MNRE’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers — ALMM — is now fully live with both List-I (solar modules) and List-II (solar cells) in force. If you are a solar manufacturer, an MSME entering the solar space, or an investor planning a module or cell production facility in India, this is the most important compliance framework you need to understand in 2026.
At Sun Photonics, we speak to manufacturers every day who are either trying to get on the ALMM list or scrambling to understand what the June 2026 List-II mandate means for their supply chain. This blog is our attempt to answer every question clearly — from basic eligibility to the detailed step-by-step process, from required documents to an honest breakdown of what profits and risks come with ALMM registration.
ALMM stands for Approved List of Models and Manufacturers. It is a mandatory listing issued by India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Only solar module and solar cell manufacturers who appear on this list are permitted to supply products for government-backed solar projects, government-assisted projects, schemes like PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM, and all open access and net metering projects across India.
Think of ALMM as a government-enforced quality gate. Before ALMM, India’s solar sector was flooded with low-quality, uncertified imports — primarily from China — which caused project failures, efficiency losses, and financial damage. ALMM creates full accountability: every module used in a government project is traceable to a verified, BIS-certified, audited manufacturer.
Important — June 2026 Update
All new government and grid-connected solar projects must now source both modules (List-I) and solar cells (List-II) from ALMM-listed manufacturers. There will be no blanket extensions — MNRE has confirmed this is final.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that ALMM is only for large manufacturers like Waaree or Adani. That is not true. Any manufacturer that meets the criteria can apply. Here is a complete breakdown of who qualifies:
1. Solar PV Module Manufacturers (for List-I)
Any company that manufactures solar PV modules inside India with a fully operational production facility. You must have valid BIS certification for each module model you want to enlist. The factory must be fully commissioned and producing — not just planned or under construction.
2. Solar PV Cell Manufacturers (for List-II)
Companies that manufacture solar cells inside India using appropriate technology — including Mono PERC, TOPCon, HJT, or CdTe thin-film. List-II requires the same BIS and NISE audit route as List-I.
3. MSMEs and Mid-Scale Manufacturers
Small and medium manufacturers are absolutely eligible. The ALMM framework does not discriminate by company size. What matters is whether your factory is operational, your BIS is valid, and your quality management system is audit-ready.
4. New Factory Entrants
Newly set up solar manufacturing plants can apply — but the factory must be fully commissioned at the time of the NISE inspection. Applications based on under-construction or partially operational factories will not pass the physical audit.
5. PLI Scheme Beneficiaries
Manufacturers who have received PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme approvals are strongly expected to be on the ALMM list. The two frameworks are closely linked in government procurement requirements.
6. Multi-Technology Manufacturers
A single manufacturer can enlist multiple module models across different technologies — Bifacial N-Type TOPCon, HJT, Mono c-Si PERC, Glass-to-Glass configurations — each as a separate listing.
Important — Foreign Manufacturers
As of the current ALMM framework, no foreign manufacturer without a physical manufacturing plant in India is eligible. Manufacturing in India is the non-negotiable prerequisite. The only current exception is FS India Solar Ventures (First Solar), listed because it operates a plant in Tamil Nadu
The ALMM enlistment process is rigorous and typically takes 6 to 9 months from start to finish when all prerequisites are in place. Here is the complete roadmap:
Step 1: Secure BIS Certification — Non-Negotiable First Step
Before filing any ALMM application, every solar module model you want to enlist must have valid BIS certification. This is the legal prerequisite for ALMM eligibility.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documentation
Compile a comprehensive documentation package before filing. Incomplete documentation is the most common reason for application delays. Refer to the complete document checklist in the next section.
Step 3: Submit Online Application to MNRE
The application is submitted online to the MNRE’s ALMM Cell at mnre.gov.in. Separate application forms exist for List-I (modules) and List-II (cells). The application must include company registration details, factory address and area, declared annual production capacity, valid BIS certificate numbers for each model, detailed module technical specifications, and a description of your manufacturing process.
Step 4: ALMM Cell Review
MNRE’s ALMM Cell reviews your application for completeness. If any document is missing or inconsistent, the application is returned for clarification — this can add weeks to your timeline. The Affidavit and Indemnity Bond in MNRE’s prescribed format must also be submitted — signed by the authorized signatory and notarized.
Step 5: NISE Factory Inspection — The Most Critical Stage
The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) — an autonomous body under MNRE — conducts a thorough physical inspection of your manufacturing facility. The factory must be fully operational and producing at the time of inspection. NISE auditors examine:
Pro Tip from Sun Photonics
A weak quality management system is the most common cause of NISE audit failures. Invest in a robust, well-documented QMS from day one — not after you receive an inspection notice
Step 6: MNRE Approval and Official Listing
If the NISE inspection is satisfactory, MNRE approves the application and adds the manufacturer and its specific module models to the official ALMM list. The listing is publicly available at mnre.gov.in and is typically valid for 2 years, after which renewal is required — often with a repeat inspection.
Step 7: Post-Listing — Capacity Updates and New Model Additions
After listing, you can submit updates to add new module models, increase declared capacity, or update factory details. MNRE processes these in regular revisions every 4 to 6 weeks.
All documents must be signed by the authorized signatory. Where notarization is required, it must be done by a Judicial Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, or Notary Public.
| No. | Document | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certificate of Incorporation / CIN | Company | Mandatory |
| 2 | GST Registration Certificate | Tax | Mandatory |
| 3 | PAN Card of the Company | Tax | Mandatory |
| 4 | Valid BIS Certificate (per module model) | Quality | Mandatory |
| 5 | Manufacturing Facility Details | Factory | Mandatory |
| 6 | Annual Production Capacity Declaration | Factory | Mandatory |
| 7 | Module Technical Specifications (per model) | Technical | Mandatory |
| 8 | Manufacturing Process & QC Report | Quality | Mandatory |
| 9 | Affidavit — MNRE Prescribed Format (Notarized) | Legal | Mandatory |
| 10 | Indemnity Bond — MNRE Prescribed Format (Notarized) | Legal | Mandatory |
| 11 | Test Reports from NABL-accredited Laboratory | Testing | Mandatory |
| 12 | Layout Plan of Manufacturing Facility | Factory | Mandatory |
| 13 | List of Manufacturing Equipment (with specs) | Factory | Mandatory |
| 14 | Audited Financial Statements (Last 2 Years) | Financial | Recommended |
| 15 | ISO 9001 / QMS Certification | Quality | Recommended |
| 16 | MSME Registration Certificate | Business | If Applicable |
Critical Warning
The Affidavit and Indemnity Bond must use MNRE’s prescribed format only — not a generic legal format. Download the latest prescribed forms directly from mnre.gov.in before preparation
ALMM List-II is the biggest regulatory development in Indian solar manufacturing in years. Here is the complete picture:
What Happened
MNRE published the first ALMM List-II for solar PV cells on July 31, 2025 — the first time solar cell manufacturing was brought under the same mandatory quality and traceability framework that modules have been under since 2021.
Compliance Rule
For all solar projects with bid submissions after August 31, 2025, ALMM List-II compliance is mandatory. The solar cells used in modules for these projects must come from a List-II listed manufacturer — regardless of when the project is commissioned.
Impact on Module Manufacturers
If you buy cells from abroad or from a non-listed domestic supplier, your modules will no longer be eligible for government and grid-connected projects in India. Your cell sourcing must now come from an ALMM List-II certified manufacturer.
Current Status of List-II
Supply gap: 10+ GW — a massive opportunity for new cell manufacturers
What Is Coming Next — ALMM List-III
MNRE has circulated a draft for List-III covering solar wafers. It will be enforced once at least three independent wafer manufacturing units with a combined capacity of 15 GW are operational in India. The direction is clear: full domestic supply chain from wafer to module, all under ALMM
1. Access to the Largest and Most Stable Solar Market in India
Without ALMM, you are locked out of every government-owned project, every government-assisted project, every PM scheme installation, every open access project, and every net metering project. ALMM listing unlocks all of it in one shot.
2. Policy-Guaranteed Demand — Not Market-Driven Demand
This is a unique structural advantage. ALMM-listed manufacturers are not competing for demand that fluctuates with market conditions. The demand exists because the government has mandated it through regulation. Every new solar project in India must use your products if you are listed.
3. 14 to 20 Percent Profit Margins at Scale
Industry data indicates that solar module manufacturing businesses that are ALMM-listed and operating at scale can achieve profit margins of 14 to 20 percent — significantly higher than many unregulated manufacturing segments, primarily because ALMM listing reduces competitive pressure from uncertified imports.
4. Bankability and Project Finance Access
Banks and project financiers treat ALMM listing as a quality signal. They are more willing to fund projects using ALMM-listed modules because it reduces compliance-related project failure risk. This improves your customers’ ability to raise project finance, which drives more orders to you.
5. Import Competition Is Structurally Limited
Chinese and Southeast Asian solar manufacturers — who typically compete on price — cannot sell into the ALMM-mandatory segment of the Indian market. This gives domestic ALMM-listed manufacturers a legally protected market position.
6. PLI and ALMM Together Create a Compounding Advantage
If you are a PLI scheme beneficiary, the combination of PLI subsidies and ALMM-guaranteed demand significantly improves capital recovery timelines and overall ROI.
7. First-Mover Advantage in List-II (Solar Cells)
With only 10 manufacturers currently listed under List-II and a 10+ GW supply gap, companies entering the cell manufacturing space now will have a significant first-mover advantage before the market fills up.
What Is Coming Next — ALMM List-III
MNRE has circulated a draft for List-III covering solar wafers. It will be enforced once at least three independent wafer manufacturing units with a combined capacity of 15 GW are operational in India. The direction is clear: full domestic supply chain from wafer to module, all under ALMM
1. High Upfront Capital Requirement
2. Six to Nine Month Timeline Before You Can Sell
From BIS application to final ALMM listing, the process typically takes 6 to 9 months. During this period, you cannot supply to ALMM-mandatory projects. This revenue delay must be factored into your business plan and cash flow projections.
3. Continuous Compliance Burden
4. NISE Audit Failure Risk
If your manufacturing facility is not audit-ready — incomplete documentation, weak quality management, uncalibrated testing equipment, or factory not fully operational — you will fail the NISE inspection. This means restarting the process with additional time and cost.
5. Intense Competition from Established Players
The top five ALMM-listed manufacturers — Waaree, Tata Power Solar, Avaada, Adani Solar, and Emmvee — account for roughly 45 percent of all enlisted module capacity. New entrants must differentiate through technology, service, or niche market focus.
6. List-II Adds Another Layer of Cost for Module Manufacturers
If you source cells from abroad or from non-listed suppliers, you must either switch to ALMM List-II certified Indian suppliers (who may charge a premium due to limited supply) or invest in your own cell manufacturing. Both add to your cost structure.
7. Policy Dependency Risk
All ALMM-driven revenue depends on government policy staying consistent. While ALMM has been firmly reinstated since April 2024, the 2022-23 temporary suspension is a reminder that policy frameworks can shift. Diversifying into private commercial markets alongside government projects is smart risk mitigation
If you are a solar manufacturer who is not yet on the ALMM list, the window to act is now.
Jatin Singh is a content developer at Sun Photonics Pvt. Ltd., specializing in creating impactful content for solar energy solutions. With a background in tech and health, he has previously worked in digital marketing and pharma. Passionate about sustainability, and currently exploring all things about solar!
Approval by an Expert:
“This content is reviewed and approved by Dr. Sujata Bhaker, who holds a Doctorate in Renewable Energy and brings over 10 years of industry expertise.”
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Read MoreNot for purely private off-grid installations or individual captive consumption projects. However, if any government subsidy, net metering connection, or open access arrangement is involved, ALMM compliance is mandatory. Under PM Surya Ghar — Muft Bijli Yojana, ALMM-listed modules are required.
ALMM listing is typically valid for two years. Renewal requires a fresh application and potentially a new NISE factory inspection. BIS certification validity must also be maintained continuously throughout this period.
Yes. Manufacturers who produce both solar modules and solar cells can be listed under both lists. FS India Solar Ventures is currently an example of a manufacturer listed under both.
Automatic delisting from ALMM — no grace period. The manufacturer must secure BIS renewal and then re-apply for ALMM reinstatement. During this gap, they cannot supply to ALMM-mandatory projects.
Modules already installed and commissioned remain compliant. However, any future supply to the same project must come from an active ALMM-listed manufacturer.
MNRE has clearly stated that no blanket extensions will be provided for List-II enforcement beyond June 2026. Case-to-case relief may be possible in exceptional circumstances, but the mandate is final. Plan your cell sourcing accordingly.
List-I for modules is updated approximately every 4 to 6 weeks. List-II for solar cells has been revised multiple times since its first publication in July 2025. The official list is always available at mnre.gov.in.