ALMM List-II Deadline Extended to 31 December 2026: What It Means for Solar Businesses

India’s solar sector has entered a new phase of regulatory compliance. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is now in force with both List-I (Solar Modules) and List-II (Solar Cells). While ALMM List-II became applicable from 1 June 2026, MNRE, through an Office Memorandum dated 18 July 2026, extended the ALMM List-II exemption for eligible Net-Metering and Open Access renewable energy projects from 31 May 2026 to 31 December 2026.

Important: this is not a blanket extension. The overall ALMM policy remains unchanged, and all other compliance requirements continue to apply.

This update matters differently depending on where you sit in the solar value chain:

If you’re a developer, EPC, or C&I business planning or executing a net-metering / open access rooftop or industrial solar project — this extension directly affects your procurement and commissioning timeline.
If you’re a solar module or cell manufacturer, or an MSME entering solar manufacturing — this update doesn’t change your ALMM registration requirements or timelines. It’s a demand-side signal: it tells you how long developers can still use non-List-II cells before the market has to fully shift to List-II-approved supply.

At Sun Photonics, we speak to businesses in both categories every day. This piece covers what actually changed, who it applies to, and what to do next.

What Has Changed

Update	Details
Old Exemption Deadline	31 May 2026
New Exemption Deadline	31 December 2026
Applicable Only For	Net-Metering and Open Access Renewable Energy Projects
Policy Status	No blanket extension. No change in the overall ALMM framework.

Projects commissioned on or before 31 December 2026 under this exemption can continue without ALMM List-II-compliant solar cells. Projects commissioned after 31 December 2026 will need to comply with ALMM List-II requirements for solar PV cells.

If You're a Developer, EPC, or C&I Buyer: What This Means for You

If you’re planning a commercial rooftop project, an industrial solar power plant, or a green energy open access project, this extended window gives you additional time to commission your project under the existing exemption — without sourcing List-II-approved cells.

What to do with this window:

If your project is close to completion, this removes the pressure of the earlier 31 May deadline — you have until 31 December 2026 now.
If your project timeline is likely to stretch into 2027, start planning your List-II cell sourcing now. The exemption will not carry over past 31 December 2026.
This should not be treated as a permanent relaxation of ALMM rules — plan procurement and commissioning around the new deadline, not around the assumption that further extensions will come.

If You're a Manufacturer or MSME: What This Means for You

This notification doesn’t change ALMM registration requirements, eligibility, or the process for getting listed. What it does tell you is how long the market has before net-metering and open access demand shifts fully to List-II-compliant cells — useful context for production planning and go-to-market timing over the next few months.

Who Needs to Pay Attention - and Why

This notification isn’t just paperwork — it directly shapes how you plan your next 6 months. Whether you’re a solar EPC company, a cell or module manufacturer, an MSME stepping into solar manufacturing, or a business planning an industrial solar power plant, this update changes how you should approach procurement and commissioning.

If you’re executing a project under Open Access Solar or Net Metering, you’ve just got a bigger runway — but don’t mistake this for a permanent relaxation. The policy direction is crystal clear: full List-II compliance is where the market is headed, and 31 December 2026 isn’t a soft suggestion — it’s a hard deadline.

At Sun Photonics, we track every MNRE update so our clients don’t have to — from ALMM compliance to cost-effective commercial and industrial solar execution. Not sure how this notification impacts your upcoming project? Let’s map your procurement and commissioning timeline before you commit to anything.

About the Author

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.”