The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an updated list of models and module manufacturers under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order to include 80 module manufacturers with 21.68 GW of listed module capacity.

The 14 new entrants are Abhishek Solar Industries, Aatmanirbhar Solar, Ameya Solar and Semiconductor, Agrawal Renewable Energy, Sunify Solar, Unique Sun Power, Ankur Traders and Engineers, Bharat Heavy Electricals, Credence Solar Panels, Ganesh Electrical, HR Solar Solution, Innovative Solar Solutions, Plaza Power and Infrastructure, and Urjastrot Enterprise.

Out of the listed manufacturers, only Waaree Energies and Credence Solar Panels have 650Wp modules registered in ALMM.

Ankur Traders and Engineers, another listed manufacturer, has registered a 585Wp Mono PERC C-Si Module.

Saatvik has 570Wp modules, while Premier Energies has 565Wp modules listed. Tata Power Systems and Emmvee photovoltaics both have 520Wp modules listed.

There are no Chinese module suppliers enlisted under ALMM so far.

The anticipated relief for net metering and open access projects did not come to fruition as the deadline passed without an extension from the government. As of October 1, 2022, developers are mandated to use domestically manufactured modules from ALMM.

According to industry stakeholders, this change has not negatively impacted ongoing or planned projects, as the cost savings for consumers remain appealing despite the new policy restrictions.

MNRE had clarified that open access and net metering renewable energy projects that have applied for approval before October 1, 2022, will not come under the purview of ALMM.

Mercom had reported that the amendment on open access and rooftop solar developers caused concerns as it limits consumers’ choice to select high-output and technologically advanced modules. Developers of rooftop solar projects often use 400W or higher-rated modules to ensure efficient power generation, particularly in metro cities with limited space. However, the ALMM now includes several companies that provide higher-watt modules, increasing options for commercial and industrial (C&I) solar projects.

To ensure proper oversight of solar component suppliers and their manufacturing facilities, MNRE made it mandatory for solar cell and module manufacturers to register under ALMM. It later expanded the scope of this requirement to include C&I solar projects constructed as rooftop and open access projects.