The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has directed renewable energy developers to submit requests for exemption from compliance with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar cells only through the dedicated domestic content requirement (DCR) portal.

The requests must be submitted along with all the supporting documents and evidence.

The DCR Portal can be accessed at: solardcrportal.nise.res.in

The advisory follows MNRE’s memorandum concerning compliance with ALMM List-II and protection of investments already made. In the memorandum, MNRE ruled out a blanket extension of the ALMM List II deadline beyond June 1.

However, the memorandum sets out two categories of projects that may seek exemption from ALMM List-II compliance for solar cells.

• Category I covers projects in which 100% of the required solar modules were installed at the project site before June 1, 2026, but the project was not commissioned before that date. To qualify, developers must submit approval or certification from the Electrical Inspectorate to the government for DC-side installations, including solar module installations.
• Category II covers projects for which effective steps had been taken to ground the project, but the project was not commissioned before June 1, 2026. Under this route, the developer must demonstrate clear possession of at least 75% of the land required for the project and financial closure before June 1, 2026, as well as receipt of an in-principle grant of connectivity, approval of electrical drawings, and either the arrival of 100% of the required solar modules at the project site before the notification date or the installation of more than 50% of the required modules at the project site before the deadline.

MNRE has also stated that no physical applications will be accepted. Developers must ensure that all information and documentary evidence uploaded on the portal is complete, accurate, and duly authenticated.

Last month, MNRE discontinued the provision that allowed installation submissions containing duplicate entries of solar module or inverter serial numbers to be submitted based on a vendor undertaking under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time Regulatory Updates to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.