The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued revised guidelines for the series approval of solar modules, detailing how manufacturers and test laboratories must conduct performance and safety testing for compulsory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) registration under the ‘Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025.’

MNRE had released the ‘Solar Systems, devices and Components Goods Order, 2025, in January 2025.

Small solar modules

Modules rated from 0.2 W to 20 W used in solar luminary applications and modules up to 5 W used for solar lanterns will be tested in accordance with Indian Standard 16476 (Part 1). BIS is expected to develop an appropriate standard for modules in the 5 W-20 W range and include it in a revised quality control order. Until that happens, modules with capacities ranging from 0.2 W to 20 W, used in solar luminaires, are formally excluded from the series guidelines for BIS registration. Testing laboratories will follow the updated series guidelines for conducting tests on modules, including crystalline, thin-film, and bifacial types.

Product Family

A product family is defined by the highest-configuration model of a solar module, including its components and sub-assemblies, and how lower or alternate models are derived from that maximum configuration. Models within the same family typically share a common design, construction method, and core parts or assemblies required to comply with applicable standards.

For registration covering an entire family, manufacturers must test at least two modules each from the lower-end, median, and higher-end power classes within the proposed range. Testing laboratories will charge fees only for these selected modules, and the resulting test report can be extended to other wattage variants within the same family. The product label for each model series must be included in the test report. If there is any change to the bill of materials (BOM) within a family, retesting must be carried out as per the prescribed guidelines, and additional charges will apply.

Minimum Test Set

Under the new approach, manufacturers seeking registration for a range of module wattages must submit representative samples across the range. At least two modules from the lower end, two from the median, and two from the higher end power class must be tested to cover the whole family.

If there is no median power class, the next higher class must be used. Laboratories are expected to charge testing fees only for the modules actually tested, and the test report may then be issued for the other wattages covered within the family, with the product label of each series model included in the report.

The guidelines also address how a single qualified power class may be extended to further “bins” of power classes within the boundaries defined in IEC TS 62915. In such cases, MNRE specifies label verification requirements, including the use of modules from the lower and higher end bins for verification when extending within these boundaries, and a one-sided verification when extension occurs only toward higher or only toward lower bins.

Fewer-Cell Variants

MNRE has clarified that fewer-cell versions of a module do not automatically require retesting, provided there is no change from the fully tested module type family in design, materials, components, manufacturers, processing, or material combinations. This clause allows manufacturers to introduce certain size or configuration variants without restarting the full test cycle, provided the underlying build and process remain identical.

Efficiency Threshold

On minimum efficiency criteria, MNRE states that the lowest and highest samples of the family must meet the quality control order’s (QCO) minimum efficiency requirement for the licence to be granted to the full family.

The document also allows an exemption for measuring the efficiency of the median-power module if it belongs to the same product family under IEC 62915, the efficiencies of the lowest and highest modules are measured, and the median-power module’s area is identical to those of the lowest and highest.

For fewer-cell models, manufacturers must self-declare efficiency by marking in the laminate, while laboratories will report calculated efficiency based on the module area and the calculated output power. Manufacturers must submit electrical circuitry drawings, which laboratories must annex to the test report.

Marking

The guidelines reinforce marking requirements by directing that all modules carry clear, indelible markings laminated inside the glass, including manufacturer identity, model number, unique serial number, nominal wattage and tolerance, year and country of origin, efficiency at STC as per QCO, and brand name, where applicable.

MNRE allows a tolerance of ±3% and requires the actual power output (Pmax) to be stated on a label affixed to the back of the module. Thin-film modules are given flexibility regarding the laminated inside-glass requirement, but must still present the information clearly and permanently in an appropriate place, as per the referenced clauses.

Crucially, MNRE directs test laboratories not to accept modules for testing if these details are missing.

BOM and Process Changes

Any change in the bill of materials or process modifications intended to maintain certification will require retesting in line with IS/IEC 62915:2023. MNRE further notes that the latest versions of the IS cited in the QCO, along with BIS-notified amendments, will apply, with BIS deciding transition timelines for shifts to revised standards.

Laboratories may follow separate sequences for IS 14286 and IS/IEC 61730 or a combined flow as allowed in IS/IEC TS 62915, but must still issue separate test reports for IS/IEC 61730 and IS 14286/IEC 61215.

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