The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has confirmed that there will be no blanket extension to the mandatory enforcement of ALMM (Approved Module Manufacturers) List-II for solar PV cells beyond June 1, 2026. According to reports from CNBC TV18, starting June 1 this year, all new net-metering and open-access solar power projects will be required to source solar PV modules from ALMM List-I (approved module manufacturers) and solar PV cells from ALMM List-II (approved cell manufacturers). The Ministry stated that it had received several representations from stakeholders seeking either extension or continuation of the existing timeline, but the government has decided to retain the current implementation schedule in order to maintain policy consistency and support long-term confidence in India's domestic solar manufacturing sector.
To protect existing investments and ensure the viability of projects already in advanced stages, the MNRE has introduced a project-level relief mechanism. As reported by CNBC TV18, developers whose projects were impacted by unforeseen circumstances may apply for an extension on a case-by-case basis. The government has acknowledged practical challenges faced by developers due to recent global supply chain disruptions, particularly those linked to the ongoing situation in West Asia. The Ministry also referred to the Force Majeure provision issued by the Ministry of Finance due to disruptions arising from the ongoing situation in West Asia, under which eligible projects may receive contractual extensions ranging from two to four months without penalties.
According to the latest MNRE memorandum issued on May 25, 2026, projects eligible for extension fall into two categories: Category I includes projects where 100% of the required solar PV modules were already installed at the project site before the June 1, 2026 deadline, but commissioning has not yet occurred. Category II covers projects that had not been commissioned by the deadline but had already undertaken significant 'effective steps,' such as 75% of required land acquired, financial closure achieved, and connectivity arrangements completed. The second category requires developers to show possession of at least 75 percent of the required project land, financial closure through loan agreements or sanction letters, and in-principle connectivity approval before the deadline. Electrical drawings should also have been approved before May 1, 2026, and developers must prove that either all modules had reached the site before the notification or more than 50 percent of the modules had already been installed on-site, supported by geo-tagged photographs and invoices.
According to the latest MNRE memorandum, all applications for relief must be submitted online through the portal developed by the National Institute of Solar Energy before June 30, 2026. Claims will be reviewed by an Expert Committee constituted by MNRE, with physical applications not accepted. For Category I projects, developers will need to provide certification or approval from the Electrical Inspectorate confirming the DC-side installation work. The Ministry emphasized that this relaxation is intended only for bona fide projects where solar modules have already reached the project site, have been installed, or where major groundwork activities have already been completed before June 1, 2026. Applications will be assessed by an expert committee, with field inspections to be conducted where necessary to verify claims.
For domestic integrated cell and module manufacturers like Waaree, Premier Energies, and Emmvee, this mandate represents a significant positive development. As reported by CNBC TV18, by mandating the use of ALMM-compliant cells, the government is effectively creating a protected and prioritized market for domestic production. Manufacturers can expect a surge in demand for ALMM-listed cells, which will support better capacity utilization across their facilities and enable domestic players to stabilize their margins and invest further in R&D and scaling operations. The decision is expected to provide policy certainty for domestic solar manufacturers by preserving demand visibility and reinforcing confidence in local capacity creation, supporting stronger capacity utilization and encouraging continued investments in domestic solar cell manufacturing.
