The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an Office Memorandum clarifying the applicability of the Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar PV cells on rooftop solar projects installed on Government buildings.
The clarification has been issued through Office Memorandum No. 283/34/2026-GRID SOLAR, dated July 6, 2026, to provide greater clarity regarding the implementation of ALMM requirements for Government rooftop solar projects.
MNRE recalled that it had earlier issued the implementation framework for ALMM for solar PV cells through Office Memorandum No. 283/59/2024-GRID SOLAR dated December 9, 2024. The framework proposed the import of ALMM List-II for solar PV cells, effective June 1, 2026, and mandated that all projects under the scope of ALMM procure their solar PV modules only from models and manufacturers listed in ALMM List-I, and that those modules use solar PV cells manufactured by entities listed in ALMM List-II, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed.
The Ministry further clarified that the Office Memorandum dated December 9, 2024, Paragraph 8, exempted the mandatory requirement of solar PV cells mentioned under ALMM List-II for Net Metering and Open Access Renewable Energy (RE) Power Projects commissioned before June 1, 2026, in case they were using ALMM List-I compliant modules. However, all Net Metering and Open Access RE projects commissioned on or after June 1, 2026, are required to use both ALMM List-I compliant solar PV modules and ALMM List-II compliant solar PV cells.
MNRE also referred to its Office Memorandum dated July 28, 2025, issued under No. 283/59/2024-GRID SOLAR, through which amendments were made to Paragraphs 5 and 6 of the original Office Memorandum dated December 9, 2024.
The Ministry stated that the first version of ALMM List-II for solar PV cells was published on July 31, 2025. In accordance with the amendment issued on July 28, 2025, this effectively shifted the cut-off date for the applicability of ALMM requirements for solar PV cells on projects awarded through bidding from December 9, 2024 to August 31, 2025.
Earlier, in response to representations received from stakeholders, MNRE had issued an Office Memorandum No. 283/24/2024-GRID SOLAR dated August 12, 2025, clarifying that Government projects under Net Metering, Behind-the-Meter and Open Access mechanisms, awarded through bidding where the last date of bid submission was on or before August 31, 2025, would be exempted from the requirement of utilization of solar PV cells listed under ALMM List-II. For such Government projects, ALMM compliance would be limited to sourcing solar PV modules listed under ALMM List-I.
The Ministry further noted that, to remove ambiguity, it had issued Office Memorandum No. 283/64/2025-GRID SOLAR dated September 23, 2025, containing a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the implementation of ALMM for solar PV cells.
As per the FAQs, projects awarded through bidding with last date of bid submission on or before 31st August 2025 are exempted from the requirement of using ALMM List-II compliant solar PV cells. This is applicable for bids that were live as on 28th July 2025. The clarification also covers cases where bid submission dates were between 9th December 2024, the date of issuance of the implementation framework for ALMM List-II by MNRE and subsequent notified timelines as per the applicable bid conditions.
The latest Office Memorandum is intended to bring clarity on the implementation of ALMM List-II requirements for rooftop solar projects on Government buildings, and ensure uniform interpretation of the policy, while supporting the continued rollout of solar installations under Government programmes, said the MNRE.
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