The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadline for solar inverters of more than 200 kW capacity to conform to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to June 30, 2026.

MNRE’s requirements include utility-interconnected solar inverters and power inverters used in solar systems.

However, the inverters must have valid Importer Exporter Code (IEC) certificates corresponding to Indian standards (IS 16221 (Part 2): 2015/ IEC 62109-2: 2011 & IS/IEC 61683: 1999 for power inverters.

They must have an Indian Standard (IS) 16221 (Part 2): 2015/ IEC 62109-2: 2011, IS 16169: 2019/ IEC 62116: 2014, and IS 17980: 2022/IEC 62891:2020 certification for utility-interconnected solar inverters.

The decision was taken against the backdrop of limited testing facilities and the industry requiring more time to comply.

However, the extension does not extend to crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic modules, thin-film modules, or storage batteries.

In January 2025, the Ministry released the “Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025,” setting BIS standards for solar modules, inverters, and storage batteries. The order was set to become effective 180 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

It subsequently released draft guidelines under which the inverters would be tested in two sequences.

Sequence 1 includes testing for load transfer, electrical rating, thermal endurance, protection against electrical shock, backfeed voltage protection, single fault conditions, and protection against sonic pressure, fire, and electric shock and energy hazards. It also includes additional testing for grid-interactive inverters.

Sequence 2 includes testing environmental requirements and conditions, physical requirements, mechanical resistance to deflamation, effects of impact or drop, and protection against liquid, chemical, mechanical, and fire hazards.

Recently, the Ministry mandated that all original equipment manufacturers enlisted for the supply of inverters under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana integrate inverter communication devices with the PM Surya Ghar portal. The move comes in the background of inverter communication devices transmitting data to servers outside India, potentially risking grid disruptions. The inverters must also be connected to software managed by the MNRE or any other agency designated by it.