FAQs on MNRE’s O.M. dated 28.07.2025 regarding ALMM for Solar PV cells

No. 283/64/2025-GRID SOLAR भारत सरकार / Government of India नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊजा(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ालय / Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ि(cid:356)ड और ऊजा(cid:330) िवभाग / Grid Solar Power Division Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110003 Date: 23rd September 2025 OFFICE MEMORANDUM Sub: FAQs on MNRE’s O.M. dated 28.07.2025 regarding ALMM for Solar PV cells 1. Para 5, 6 & 8 of MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/59/2024-GRID SOLAR dated 28.07.2025 regarding Implementation of ALMM for Solar PV cells, states as follows: Para 5: “For all projects (including the projects bid out following the Guidelines issued by the Central Government under Section 63 of the Electricity Act 2003) which are mandated to use solar PV modules from ALMM List-I (for solar PV modules), if the last date of bid submission is on or before the cut-off date, such projects shall be mandated to use solar PV modules from ALMM List-I (for solar PV modules) but will stand exempted from the requirement of using solar PV cells from ALMM List-II (for solar PV cells), irrespective of their date of commissioning, i.e. such projects will be exempt from the requirement of using solar PV cells from ALMM List-II, even if their date of commissioning is beyond 1st June 2026. There shall be no relaxation in Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) provisions, wherever applicable in respect of MNRE’s Schemes/ Programs like Components B&C of PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and CPSU Scheme Phase-II. Explanation: "Cut-off date" for this purpose is the date, which falls exactly after 1 month of the publication of ALMM List-II for solar PV cells. For instance, If the ALMM List for Solar Cells is published on Aug 1st 2025, then the cut-off date shall be Sep 1st 2025.”Para 6: “All projects (including the projects bid out following the Guidelines issued by the Central Government under Section 63 of the Electricity Act 2003) that are covered under ALMM and where the last date of bid submission falls after the cut-off date as mentioned above, shall have a clause in their tender documents / Request for Selection (RfS) documents that the solar PV modules and solar PV cells used in such projects shall be from the models and manufacturers included in ALMM List-I (for solar PV modules) and ALMM List-II (for solar PV cells) and this condition will have to be followed irrespective of the date of commissioning, i.e. even if such projects get commissioned prior to 1st June 2026. In case of such tenders which have been issued prior to the date of issuance of this order, but the last date of bid submission falls after the cut-off date as mentioned above, the concerned bidding agency would issue an amendment to the tender document to include provisions stating that bidders shall take into account the provisions of ALMM for solar PV cells while submitting their bids.” Para 8: Net-Metering Projects and Open Access RE Power Projects are mandated to use solar PV modules enlisted in ALMM, unless such projects are exempt from ALMM in accordance with provisions of MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/54/2018- GRID SOLAR-Part(5) dated 07.10.2022, clarified and reiterated by MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/54/2018-GRID SOLAR-Part(2) dated 14.10.2024, MNRE's O.M. 1/74/2023-NT dated 27.05.2024, or any other O.M./Order/Instruction from MNRE for exemption from ALMM. These Net-Metering and Open Access RE Power Projects which are mandated to use ALMM enlisted modules, will stand exempted from the requirement of using solar PV cells from ALMM List-II if such projects get commissioned prior to 1st June 2026. All the Net-Metering Projects and Open Access RE Power Projects which get commissioned on or after 1st June 2026, shall have to mandatorily source their solar PV modules from ALMM List-I and solar PV cells from ALMM List- II. 2. The first version of the ALMM List-II for solar PV cells was issued on 31st July 2025, thereby fixing the aforesaid “Cut-off date” as 31st August 2025.3. In order to clarify on various queries being raised by various stakeholders w.r.t. aforesaid and associated provisions w.r.t. ALMM for solar PV cells, few Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) and responses thereto are hereby being issued, as per Annexure. Saiss 4. This issues with the approval of Secretary, MNRE. (Priya) Scientist-D Email: priya.mnre@gov.in To: All Stakeholders Copy to: Director (Technical), NIC, MNRE, for uploading on MNRE's websiteAnnexure Sl. Question Answer No. 1. Which projects are covered under Only models and manufacturers, of solar PV ALMM for solar PV modules? modules, enlisted in ALMM (Approved List of Models & Manufacturers) List-I, are eligible for use in Government Projects/ Government assisted Projects/ Projects under Government Schemes & Programmes, Open Access/ Net- Metering Projects, installed in the country, including Projects set up for sale of electricity to Government under the Guidelines issued by Central Government under section 63 of Electricity Act, 2003 and amendment thereof. The word "Government" shall include Central Government, State Governments, Central Public Sector Enterprises, State Public Sector Enterprises and, Central and State Organizations / Autonomous bodies. 2. Which projects are covered All projects covered under ALMM for solar under ALMM for solar PV cells? modules are covered under ALMM for solar cells, subject to conditions specified in MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/59/2024-GRID SOLAR dated 28.07.2025 which has been issued as modification to MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/59/2024-GRID SOLAR dated 09.12.2024. The major provisions/ conditions already stated above, are re-iterated below in simplified form:a. For projects awarded through bidding, if last date of bidding is on or before the st cut-off date of 31 August 2025, the projects are exempt from ALMM for solar cells, else not. Thus, the applicability of this provision is to bids which were live as on 28.7.2025. b. For Net-Metering & Open Access Projects, if commissioned prior to st Effective Date of 1 June 2026, the projects are exempt from ALMM for solar cells, else not. 3. What are Domestic Content In MNRE’s Schemes of CPSU Scheme Requirement (DCR) provisions in Phase-II. Components-B&C of PM KUSUM respect of solar PV cells and modules and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, there under certain Schemes of MNRE? are Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) provisions in respect of solar PV cells and modules wherein it is mandated to use domestically manufactured solar PV cells and modules. The Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) provisions in respective Schemes are governed by the Scheme Guidelines of the respective Schemes including various clarifications / amendments issued thereto and not by the orders / O.M.s pertaining to ALMM. 4. If the last date of bid submission MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/59/2024-GRID was after 09.12.2024 but prior to SOLAR dated 28.07.2025, which modified 28.07.2025 will the exemption from the MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/59/2024-GRID ALMM List-II (for solar PV cells) be SOLAR dated 09.12.2024, and the applicable? issuance of first list of ALMM for solar PVcells on 31.07.2024, has effectively shifted the cut-off date for applicability of ALMM for solar PV cells on projects awarded through bidding, from 09.12.2024 to 31.08.2024. However, the aforesaid MNRE’s O.M. of 28.07.2025 does NOT directly / automatically relax the bid conditions in tenders wherein the last date of bid submission was between 09.12.2024 and 28.07.2025. Thus, if the bid conditions in tenders where the last date of bid submission was on or after 09.12.2024 and prior to 28.07.2025, provided for usage of solar PV cells from ALMM list-II for solar PV cells, such conditions will remain valid. In case, last date of bid submission was after 09.12.2024 but before 28.07.2025 and Letter of Award (LoA) has been issued prior to 31.08.2025, the bid inviting entity who has issued the Letter of Award(s) shall clarify the above position to the LoA awardees explicitly stating that the bid conditions prevalent at the time of bid submission shall remain valid and issuance of MNRE’s aforesaid O.M. of 28.07.2025 shall not be construed as a relaxation in bid conditions for such tenders. Similarly, in case, last date of bid submission was prior to 28.07.2025 but reverse-auction is after 28.07.2025, the bid inviting/ reverse-auction conducting entity shall clarify the above position to the bidders and shall conduct the reverse auction with the original bid conditions.5. Where can one find ALMM List-I ALMM List-I (for solar PV modules) and (for solar PV modules) and ALMM ALMM List-II (for solar PV cells) can be List-II (for solar PV cells)? found on MNRE’s website (https://mnre.gov.in) through following path: Home > Programmes & Divisions > Solar > Manufacturing > Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) 6. Are projects under MNRE’s Any order of ALMM, including MNRE’s Schemes, which were covered O.M. No. 283/59/2024-GRID SOLAR under Domestic Content dated 09.12.2024, modified vide Requirement (DCR) provisions as MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/59/2024- per MNRE’s Schemes and were GRID SOLAR dated 28.07.2025, in thus mandated to use domestically respect of ALMM for solar PV cells, do manufactured solar PV cells and not relax any provisions pertaining to modules, exempt from using usage of domestically manufactured domestically manufactured solar solar PV modules and domestically PV cells if the last date of bid manufactured solar PV cells in any of submission is prior to 09.12.2024 or MNRE’s Schemes including CPSU if the last date of bid submission is Scheme Phase-II, PM Surya-Ghar Muft prior to 31.08.2025? Bijli Yojana and Components B&C of PM- KUSUM. However, under component C of PM-KUSUM, the relaxation from using domestically manufactured solar PV cells was available for those projects where Letter of Award was issued on or before 31.03.2024 and this exemption will continue to remain valid but those projects in component-C of PM-KUSUM, where Letter of Award was issued after 31.03.2024, irrespective of the date of bid submission, will continue to be mandated to use domestically manufactured solar PV modules and domestically manufactured solar PVcells. 7. Whether ALMM for solar PV cells is Yes. ALMM for solar PV cells, is also applicable for projects which applicable for ALL the projects which are are under any Scheme / under any Scheme / Programme of Programme of State Government Central Government / State / UT Administration but are not Government / UT Administration, availing any financial assistance irrespective of whether or not they are from the Central Government? availing any financial assistance from the Central Government, subject to provisions of MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/59/2024-GRID SOLAR dated 09.12.2024, modified vide MNRE’s O.M. No. 283/59/2024-GRID SOLAR dated 28.07.2025 and any clarifications / amendments thereto. 8. Is ALMM for cells applicable for Yes, ALMM for cells is applicable to project selling electricity to projects selling electricity to Government Government under Section 62 of under Section 62 of the Electricity Act. the Electricity Act? 9. Whether ALMM for Solar PV Cells For all Net-Metering/Open Access, RE is applicable for transfer of existing power projects, commissioned before the Captive Solar Projects under Open cut-off date of 1st June 2026, and Access where the project was compliant with ALMM List-I (for solar commissioned before 01.06.2026 modules), as on such Cut-off date, their with ALMM List-I compliant original ALMM-I compliance will remain modules, but fresh open access valid in case ownership transfer occurs permission is sought by the new on or after 01.06.2026. owner after the ALMM List-II notification date? Such projects shall not be mandated for compliance to ALMM List-II (for solar cells). However, in case any modifications/additions, in the commissioned capacity are undertakenpost the cut-off date, the Projects shall be mandated to follow ALMM List-II (for solar cells) for such modification/addition in capacity of the project. 10. Guidelines for Tariff Based For projects where the last date of bid Competitive Bidding Process for submission is after the cut-off date of Procurement of: 31.08.2025, the projects are covered under ALMM for solar cells, however, if  Power from Grid Connected the project is participating in the bid as an Solar PV Power Projects / already commissioned project with  Power from Grid Connected commissioning achieved on or prior to Wind Power Projects / the cut-off date of 31.08.2025, such  Power from Grid Connected project shall be exempt from the purview Wind Solar Hybrid Projects / of ALMM for solar cells.  Firm and Dispatchable Power from Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Projects with Energy Storage Systems; issued under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, provide that developers who have already commissioned their plants or are in process of constructing such plants and have untied capacity may also participate in the bid. Is ALMM for solar cells applicable for such projects if they have been commissioned with solar PV modules which are not compliant to ALMM for solar cells?