MNRE Clarifies ALMM List-II Rules For Government Rooftop Solar

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued a memorandum dated 6 July 2026 clarifying implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II requirements for solar photovoltaic (PV) cells in rooftop solar projects on government buildings. The clarification restated that ALMM List-I covers solar PV modules while ALMM List-II applies to solar PV cells and that the framework seeks to promote the use of domestically manufactured equipment. The mandatory application of List-II had been scheduled from 1 June 2026, but industry representations prompted the ministry to specify how the rules apply to different project categories. The memorandum aims to remove confusion and encourage uniform implementation across government-backed rooftop programmes.

For rooftop projects on government buildings awarded through competitive bidding the ministry set compliance by the last date of bid submission. Projects with a final bid submission date on or before 9 December 2024 remain fully exempt from the List-II requirement and may use solar cells not listed under ALMM List-II. Those with bid submission dates between 9 December 2024 and 28 July 2025 will follow conditions specified in the original tender documents.

Projects with bid submission dates between 28 July 2025 and 31 August 2025 are also exempt from the mandatory use of ALMM List-II compliant solar cells. Any rooftop project where the last date for bid submission falls after 31 August 2025 must fully comply with ALMM List-II and procure solar PV cells only from manufacturers included in the approved list. For projects not awarded through competitive bidding, including those developed under net metering and open access arrangements, projects commissioned before 1 June 2026 are exempt while those commissioned on or after 1 June 2026 will generally have to comply.

The ministry referred to its earlier guidelines of 25 May 2026 which allow developers to seek a formal extension if projects cannot meet the compliance deadline. If a competent authority approves an extension the concerned project will continue to be exempt. If the extension is not approved the project must use ALMM List-II compliant solar PV cells. The clarification is intended to provide certainty to developers and procuring agencies and to support consistent application of domestic manufacturing criteria across government rooftop schemes.