Saatvik Begins Work on 4.8 GW Solar Cell and 4 GW Module Facility in Odisha

NLC and MAHAPREIT Join Hands to Develop 5 GW Renewable Energy Projects

Waaree Energies to Divest 1.15% in Solar Cell Manufacturer Indosolar

ChargePoint’s Q1 Revenue Declines 9% YoY, Misses Analyst Expectations

Serentica Secures $100 Million Loan for 300 MW Solar Project

REC Gets Nod from CBDT to Raise ₹50 Billion via Zero-Coupon Bonds

Single-Window System for PPA Clearance Key to Renewables Growth: Interview

Involt Energy Breaks Ground on 1.78 GW Solar Cell Facility In Gujarat

$14 Billion Clean Energy Investments Cancelled in US in 2025

Daily News Wrap-Up: Solar Open Access Capacity Additions Drop 47% in Q1

<table id="amazon-polly-audio-table">
						<tr>
						<td id="amazon-polly-audio-tab">
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-label">Listen to this article</div>
							<div id="amazon-ai-player-container">
			<audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player" preload="none" controls controlsList="nodownload" >
				<source type="audio/mpeg" src="http://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/amazon_polly_48760.mp3?version=1675414381">
			</audio>
		</div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-subscribe-tab"></div>
							<div id="amazon-polly-by-tab"></div>
						</td>
						</tr>
					</table>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) has extended the deadline for compliance with and implementation of the Quality Control Order, 2017, for solar photovoltaic inverters until June 30, 2023.
The self-certification deadline extension was provided in view of the availability of limited test facilities which would mean more time for compliance.
According to the notification, the manufacturers should have valid International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certificates and test reports from accredited test labs for the smooth implementation of the order.
Earlier, MNRE had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/daily-news-wrap-up-deadline-bis-certification-solar-inverters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extended</a> the self-certification of solar photovoltaic inverters under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) from June 30, 2022, to December 31, 2022.
The government had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-issues-draft-guidelines-for-solar-inverters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> the ‘Solar PV Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2017’ for the requirement of compulsory registration with six products included in the schedule on September 5, 2017.
Since then, the deadline has been extended several times.
The whole certification process seems to be a bit time-consuming. The situation has been exacerbated by high testing fees and the non-availability of enough testing facilities across the country. MNRE has been trying to tread carefully by giving inverter manufacturers ample time for self-certification.
However, things are moving at a snail’s pace, thus making manufacturers unsure about the process. There have been repeated calls from stakeholders for clarity regarding the various steps involved in the certification procedure. Industry associations had brought the problems relating to the testing of inverters up to a capacity of 150 kW to MNRE’s notice.
Earlier in 2019, MNRE had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-approves-series-guidelines-solar-inverters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> the series guidelines for grouping solar inverters. These guidelines pertain to conducting tests in laboratories for the implementation of a quality control order that was introduced in 2017.
The guidelines also included testing for any change in the design and material of solar inverters.
Further, if there is a change in the construction or components of the products, they will have to undergo a fresh round of testing.
Subscribe to our real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure that you never miss any critical updates from the renewable energy industry.

MNRE Extends BIS Certification Deadline for Solar Inverters Again to June 30

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) has issued a fresh notification extending the self-certification of solar photovoltaic (PV) inverters from June 30, 2021, to December 31, 2021, subject to the condition that the manufacturers have valid International Electrotechnical Commission certificates and test reports from international test labs.
Earlier in January 2021, the MNRE had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/deadline-bis-certification-solar-inverters-extended-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a notification extending the self-certification of solar PV inverters from December 31, 2020, to June 30, 2021.
The government had issued the ‘Solar PV Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2017’ for the requirements of compulsory registration with six products included in the schedule on September 5, 2017. After discussions with various stakeholders, including the <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bhel-bids-multicrystalline-mono-perc-solar-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bureau of Indian Standards</a>, the order was extended to April 16, 2018.
Since the notification was released on September 5, 2017, the deadline has been extended several times. The date was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-solar-inverters-deadline-bis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extended</a> to September 20, 2019, which was later <a href="https://mercomindia.com/deadline-bis-certification-solar-inverters-extended/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extended</a> to June 30, 2019. There have been two more extensions, first <a href="https://mercomindia.com/new-deadline-bis-certification-solar-inverters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">until</a> June 30, 2020, and then <a href="https://mercomindia.com/deadline-bis-certification-solar-inverters-extended-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">until</a> December 31, 2020.
The Solar Energy Federation, Power Products Manufacturers and Traders Association, and Industries had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/clarity-still-lacking-in-bis-certification/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">conveyed</a> to the Ministry the difficulties relating to certification due to the Covid-19 pandemic, high testing fee, and limited testing facilities for testing up to 150 kW capacity inverters and had sought more time for compliance.
Many stakeholders believe that the whole process is time-consuming. High testing fees and the availability of testing facilities are some of the impediments to the smooth implementation of the certification process. MNRE has been trying to simplify and clear the air about implementing the certification process. But things seem to be moving very slowly, and there is a sense of skepticism among the manufacturers.
Additionally, the unreasonable costs of testing, absence of series guidelines, and confusion regarding MNRE notifications were some other issues that have made the compliance of the order difficult. Lack of test labs and their testing capabilities are other areas of concern. The lack of testing facilities in the country has made it impossible for inverters suppliers to get their products certified within the deadline.  The lab at the Central Power Research Institute (<a href="https://www.cpri.in/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CPRI</a>) for testing inverters doesn’t have enough qualified manpower at present and is lined up with test requests.

Deadline for BIS Certification of Solar Inverters Extended to December 31, 2021

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MNRE</a>) has extended the exemption for the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for solar module manufacturers with a production capacity of less than 50 MW.
According to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-india-solar-market-share-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mercom India’s Solar Market Share Tracker</a>, nearly 80 module manufacturers in the country have a production capacity under 50 MW.
The exemption will now last as long as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certification for their products is valid, provided the certificates were obtained before April 16, 2018, the Ministry said in a notification. It added that once the certificates expire, manufacturers are expected to register under the BIS mandatorily.
The extension was announced in light of the concerns raised by the All India Solar Industries Association (AISIA) regarding the disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The association said that the pandemic has posed serious challenges for the domestic industry&#8217;s survival and asked the MNRE to extend the BIS certification exemption for the period of validity of the IEC certificates.
Background
The MNRE <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-quality-control-order-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">introduced</a> compulsory BIS certification of solar cells and modules, which came into effect from September 2018. However, module manufacturers whose annual production capacity is less than 50 MW are exempted from BIS certification until September 9, 2020. This was on the condition that they had a valid IEC certificate (either 2005 or 2016) for the period.
Companies in the solar Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) segment had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bis-certification-solar-modules-cost/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">raised</a> several issues about the BIS certification process in the past. They said that it increases overall costs, slows down the pace of adopting newer technology, and has too much ambiguity in the certification process itself.Mercom has also <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bis-registration-solar-modules/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> on the ongoing delay in procuring registration certificates issued by the BIS for a new solar module model is severely hampering the solar industry. According to sources in the Indian solar module industry, BIS has not issued registration certificates for imported modules since July 2020.
Previously, the MNRE <a href="https://mercomindia.com/deadline-bis-certification-solar-inverters-extended-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">extended</a> the deadline for the self-certification of solar inverters to December 31, 2020, from June 30, 2020, earlier. The MNRE said that the six-month extension was announced due to the disruption caused by the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown, following which the industry had sought more time for compliance.

MNRE Extends BIS Exemption for Smaller Solar Module Manufacturers With a Condition

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadline for the self-certification of solar inverters to December 31, 2020.
The earlier deadline was June 30, 2020. The MNRE said that the six-month extension was announced due to the disruption caused by the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown following which the industry had sought more time for compliance.
The Ministry’s latest notification stated that the extension would apply to manufacturers with valid International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certificates.
Background: 
The quality certification order has seen several extensions with stakeholders requesting more time from the government for compliance.
In January, the MNRE <a href="https://mercomindia.com/new-deadline-bis-certification-solar-inverters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">extended</a> the deadline for the self-certification of solar inverters by six months to June 30, 2020, from December 31, 2019, previously.
Before the <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bis-certification-solar-inverters-deadline-extension/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">December deadline</a>, the Ministry had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-solar-inverters-deadline-bis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">extended</a> the deadline for BIS certification of solar inverters from June 30, 2019, to September 30, 2019.
Before this, the deadline was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/deadline-bis-certification-solar-inverters-extended/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">extended</a> by six months from December 31, 2018, to June 30, 2019.
The government had mandated that laboratories must conduct the tests for compulsory registration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for the implementation of the quality order. This was done to ensure the quality of components used in solar projects in the country.
In February, Mercom Interviewed Rucas Wang, Regional Director at <a href="https://www.ginverter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Growatt</a>, a solar PV inverter manufacturer based in China. He said that on the one hand, BIS would <a href="https://mercomindia.com/bis-certification-solar-modules-cost/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">increase cost</a>s for inverter suppliers and reduce their profits; on the other, it could also clean some small and weak inverter brands out of the market.
However, in the past, inverter manufacturers said they <a href="https://mercomindia.com/confusion-bis-certification-inverters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">struggled</a> with the ambiguous BIS certification process. The lack of labs, testing facilities, and workforce were major hurdles. Additionally, the unreasonable costs of testing, absence of series guidelines, and confusion regarding MNRE notifications were some other issues that have made the compliance of the order “Solar Photovoltaics Systems, Devices and Component Goods Order 2017” extremely difficult.
Through several interviews with inverter suppliers, Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/solar-quality-tests-good-fronius-india-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">found</a> out that the cost of BIS certification is a major cause of concern for the inverter suppliers apart from the time-taking process.

Deadline for BIS Certification of Solar Inverters Extended to December 31, 2020

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadline for the self-certification of solar photovoltaic modules (crystalline and thin film, including bifacial type) by three months.
The new deadline is March 31, 2019.
However, the relaxation is incumbent upon the fact that module manufacturers should have valid IEC test reports from international test labs corresponding to Indian standards.
In the latest notification issued by MNRE, it states –
<blockquote>In case of SPV modules, while extending the date of self-certification to January 1,2019, a condition was imposed that this extension would be eligible only for those manufacturers who had submitted samples to test labs before or on October 31,2018</blockquote>
Therefore, the only manufacturers who have submitted their samples for testing before October 31, 2018 will get the benefit of extension.The extension for self-certification of solar modules has been given keeping in view that in many cases the test laboratories have not been able to complete the tests, or the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)  is yet to issue the registration certificate.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/deadline-solar-modules-bis-extension-january-2019/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Previously,</a> <a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a> had issued a notification to extend the date of self-certification of six solar products from September 20, 2018 to January 1, 2019. Before that, Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-extension-self-certification-solar-modules-september/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earlier reported</a> that the MNRE had extended the self-certification deadline from June 30, 2018 to September 4, 2018.
Earlier, realizing the need of quality products to be used in solar projects, the government had mandated that the tests must be conducted by labs for compulsory registration with the BIS for the implementation of the order titled Solar Photovoltaics Systems, Devices and Component Goods Order 2017.
Since the notification was released in September 5, 2017, the deadline has been extended several times as the industry has been seeking more and more time for the compliance of the order due to lack of lab facilities.
Mercom has <a href="https://mercomindia.com/industry-challenges-bis-guidelines-solar-modules/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported before that</a> the dearth of testing laboratories and the arduous, time-taking process are adversely affecting the implementation of quality guidelines.
Recently, a similar <a href="https://mercomindia.com/deadline-bis-certification-solar-inverters-extended/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extension of deadline</a> was given for solar inverters by six months. The new deadline is June 30, 2019. The decision was taken after the MNRE officials <a href="https://mercomindia.com/solar-inverter-suppliers-wait-mnre-extension-bis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently</a> met with all the stakeholders.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-bis-comments-solar-pumps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This month,</a> the MNRE has also issued a memorandum requesting for views of stakeholders on the BIS standards for solar PV water pumping systems.

Deadline for Self-certification of Solar Modules Extended by Another 3 Months

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) has issued a notification to extend the date of self-certification of six solar products from September 20, 2018 to January 1, 2019.
The extension was given to the solar module manufacturers after discussion with the stakeholders including the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and test labs recognized by the BIS. The industry has also asked the MNRE for more time to comply with the order.
Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-extension-self-certification-solar-modules-september/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earlier reported</a> that the MNRE had extended the self-certification deadline from June 30, 2018 to September 4, 2018.
But to get this extension, the manufacturers (in the case of foreign manufacturers their partners or liaison office in India) of crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules, thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules, and PV module should submit their samples to test labs recognized by BIS before or on October 31, 2018.
In case of manufacturer of products such as power inverter for use in photovoltaic power system and utility –interconnected photovoltaic inverters with islanding prevention measures, the self-certification will be allowed for their products who have valid IEC corresponding to IS without submitting samples for testing to test labs as the series guidelines for testing are still being framed.
Similarly, the self certification of storage battery by manufacturers will be allowed with proof of samples submitted to test lab till October 31, 2018.
The reason for the previously given extension was also that the industry sought more time to comply with the order.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-issues-new-order-crackdown-solar-component-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In September 2017</a>, MNRE had first issued the Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices, and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017 to check the quality of domestic solar components.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/industry-challenges-bis-guidelines-solar-modules/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Recently</a>, Mercom reported on the various challenges faced by the industry in face of the new BIS certification guidelines for solar modules.
Mercom also <a href="https://mercomindia.com/lab-policy-solar-project-delays/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> previously on the dearth of test centers in the country. The announced National Lab Policy and Quality Control Order are adding a new wrinkle that could slow down project commissioning, according to solar project developers and manufacturers in the country.

Bis Extension

Get the most relevant India solar and clean energy news.

RECENT POSTS