The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a standard procedure for warranty management and claims settlement for solar modules installed under distributed renewable energy programs, mandating a 10-year product warranty and a 25-year power output warranty.

The procedure has been made mandatory for all solar module manufacturers supplying modules under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM), and the New Solar Power program.

The MNRE stated that it had received multiple representations regarding the absence of a uniform procedure for warranty claims on solar modules.

Testing and Commissioning Protocol

To ensure early detection of manufacturing- and installation-related defects, the manufacturer should conduct standardized testing during rooftop solar system installation.

The procedure outlines testing and commissioning protocols, including Electroluminescence (EL) testing and I-V testing for field verification of module performance and defect detection.

The Ministry also specifies warranty exclusions, including improper installation, tampering with serial numbers, misuse, glass breakage caused by external damage, and deployment in unapproved marine or mobile environments.

Complaint-Handling Mechanism

The procedure establishes a complaint-handling framework that requires manufacturers to maintain online complaint portals, customer helplines, digital warranty certificates, and timelines for complaint acknowledgment and resolution.

Manufacturers must acknowledge complaints within 24 to 48 hours and define escalation mechanisms for unresolved disputes.

Quality Assurance

The quality assurance team will lead the technical assessments, root cause analysis, and preparation of corrective and preventive action, with clearly defined timelines for each stage of the process.

The technical assessment and root cause analysis should be completed within seven to 10 working days.

The quality control team should coordinate site inspections and third-party testing to verify defects and performance issues.

It also provides for cost-sharing arrangements in disputed testing cases, with liability ultimately falling on the party found at fault after testing.

Remedies and Replacement

The repair or replacement of defective modules should be completed within 30 days. Where replacement requires fresh production, the process must be completed within 90 days.

The procedure mandates that defective modules replaced during the warranty period must be new, not refurbished or repaired.

In cases of irreparable manufacturing defects, a refund of the original purchase price may be provided without annual depreciation.

Manufacturers will not be responsible for any failure in performance caused by force majeure events.

Last December, MNRE 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 registration under the ‘Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025.’

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