If you are involved in any government-linked solar project in India — whether under PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar, SECI/NTPC tenders, or state-level utility procurement — you have almost certainly encountered the terms “DCR cell” and “DCR module.” Understanding what these mean, which projects mandate them, and how to ensure supply chain compliance is critical for project developers, EPCs, and solar installers operating in India’s policy-driven solar market.

Websol Energy System Ltd. is one of India’s leading manufacturers of DCR-compliant solar cells and modules, with a fully domestic manufacturing base at Falta SEZ, West Bengal. This guide provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of India’s Domestic Content Requirement framework — and how Websol helps customers navigate it with confidence.

What Is DCR? The Domestic Content Requirement Explained

The Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) is a Government of India policy provision mandating that solar cells and/or modules used in eligible solar projects be manufactured domestically — within India. DCR provisions appear across multiple government scheme frameworks and procurement channels:

• PM-KUSUM (Component A, B, C) — DCR mandatory for cells and modules
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana — ALMM listing mandatory; DCR applicable in many tenders
• SECI and NTPC tenders — specified tender documents indicate DCR or non-DCR categories
• State DISCOM tenders — many state procurement agencies include DCR provisions
• Rooftop solar subsidies — Central Financial Assistance (CFA) linked to domestically manufactured panels

The rationale behind DCR is to promote India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) manufacturing mission, drive investment in domestic solar production capacity, and reduce India’s dependence on imported solar components — primarily from China.

What Qualifies as a DCR Cell?

A DCR cell is a photovoltaic solar cell that has been manufactured in India, using processes conducted on Indian soil. Imported cells — regardless of where they are subsequently assembled into modules — do not qualify as DCR cells.

For a cell to be considered DCR-compliant:

1. Manufacturing location: The cell production facility must be located in India
2. Process completion: The full DCR cell manufacturing process (from wafer to finished cell) must occur in India — wafer cutting, doping, metallisation, passivation, and testing
3. MNRE recognition: The cell manufacturer should ideally appear on MNRE’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) — increasingly required for project eligibility
4. BIS certification: IS 14286 certification confirms compliance with Indian quality standards

Websol Energy System manufactures its M10 Bifacial Mono PERC solar cells entirely at its Falta SEZ, West Bengal facility — making every cell produced a genuine DCR cell. With over three decades of India-based manufacturing, Websol’s DCR credentials are unimpeachable.

What Qualifies as a DCR Module?

A DCR module goes a step further: not only must the cells be Indian-manufactured (DCR cells), but the module assembly — cell tabbing, stringing, lamination, framing, and testing — must also be performed in India.

The typical supply chain for a DCR module:

Indian Silicon Wafer/Imported Wafer

        ↓

Indian Cell Manufacturing (DCR Cell)

[WEBSOL – Falta SEZ, West Bengal]

        ↓

Indian Module Assembly (DCR Module)

[WEBSOL – Falta SEZ, West Bengal / Other Indian Module Manufacturers]

        ↓

Indian Solar Project Installation

Websol operates both cell manufacturing and module manufacturing at Falta SEZ — enabling fully integrated DCR module supply from a single, vertically integrated facility. This eliminates inter-vendor supply chain risk and simplifies DCR documentation for project developers.

ALMM: The Gateway to Government Solar Projects

The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) — maintained by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) — is the operational mechanism through which DCR and domestic manufacturing requirements are enforced. As of late 2025:

• ALMM List 1 covers module manufacturers and their approved models
• ALMM List 2 (cell manufacturers) is expected to become mandatory, extending requirements upstream to the cell manufacturing stage

For project developers and EPCs, procuring modules from ALMM-listed manufacturers is essential for:

• Subsidy disbursement under government schemes
• Project commissioning approval from DISCOMs and state nodal agencies
• Compliance with tender conditions in SECI/NTPC/state utility bids

Websol’s modules and cells are designed and manufactured to meet ALMM eligibility criteria — with relevant certifications (IEC 61215, IEC 61730, BIS IS 14286) in place.

Websol’s DCR Cell and Module Portfolio

Websol’s DCR-compliant product range for government scheme projects:

DCR Solar Cells

• M10 Bifacial Mono PERC Cell (182 mm × 182 mm)
• Efficiency: 22–23%+
• Technology: Bifacial PERC with rear aluminium oxide passivation
• Compliance: Fully Indian-manufactured at Falta SEZ

DCR Solar Modules

Websol’s 250 MW Mono PERC DCR module supply to CRI Pumps for PM-KUSUM solar pump installations (announced May 2025) is a testament to its DCR supply capability at scale. Modules rated 500 Wp, 520 Wp, 525 Wp, and 535 Wp were specified under this agreement.

Why DCR Compliance Requires More Than Just Labelling

Not all “DCR modules” in the market are equal. A genuinely DCR-compliant supply chain requires:

1. Verified Indian Cell Manufacturing The cells inside the module must be manufactured in India. Assembling imported cells into frames in an Indian facility does not constitute a DCR cell — a distinction that MNRE audits and project compliance checks assess.
2. ALMM-Listed Models The specific module model must appear on the current ALMM list — not just the company. Model additions and deletions happen quarterly; procurement teams should verify listing status before purchase orders.
3. Proper Documentation DCR compliance documentation for project audits typically includes:

• Cell manufacturer’s address and factory registration
• Module manufacturer’s ALMM registration certificate
• IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 test certificates
• BIS certificate (IS 14286)
• Declaration of conformity for DCR requirements

Websol provides complete documentation support for all regulatory and compliance requirements — a significant advantage for developers managing multiple government project audits simultaneously.

Financial and Strategic Benefits of DCR Module Procurement

Beyond regulatory compliance, procuring DCR cells and modules from a verified Indian manufacturer like Websol offers tangible strategic advantages:

Import Duty Savings India levies Basic Customs Duty (BCD) of 40% on imported solar modules and 25% on imported solar cells. DCR module procurement from domestic manufacturers sidesteps these duties entirely — a meaningful cost advantage for large-scale procurement.

Supply Chain Security Domestic procurement eliminates exposure to port congestion, shipping delays, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical supply disruptions — all factors that have affected import-dependent solar supply chains in recent years.

Faster Technical Support Local manufacturer presence enables faster resolution of technical queries, on-site assistance for installation support, and more responsive warranty claim handling compared to international suppliers.

Atmanirbhar Bharat Alignment For PSU developers, government-linked EPCs, and listed companies with CSR commitments, domestic procurement aligns with India’s national manufacturing priorities and ESG reporting goals.

PM-KUSUM and DCR: A Detailed Look

The PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) scheme is one of India’s largest applications of DCR requirements in solar. Under PM-KUSUM:

• Component A (Ground-mounted solar plants near substations): DCR mandatory; both cells and modules must be Indian-manufactured
• Component B (Standalone solar pumps for farmers): DCR mandatory; minimum MNRE efficiency standards apply
• Component C (Grid-connected agricultural pumps): DCR applicable; ALMM listing required

Minimum module efficiency requirements under MNRE guidelines: typically 18.5%–20%+ for crystalline silicon modules — well within Websol’s >21% module efficiency capability.

Websol’s M10 Mono PERC modules — rated at 500–550 Wp with module efficiencies above 21% — provide a meaningful compliance buffer above minimum thresholds while delivering superior energy yield for farmers and project developers.

Module Manufacturing Line: Websol’s DCR Production Infrastructure

Websol’s module manufacturing at Falta SEZ covers the complete module assembly sequence:

1. Cell incoming inspection — EL testing, I-V curve verification of Websol’s own cells
2. String soldering — automated tabber-stringer machines for precise, low-resistance interconnects
3. Lay-up and lamination — glass/EVA/cell/EVA/glass (or backsheet) stack assembled and laminated under vacuum at 150°C
4. EL post-lamination inspection — electroluminescence imaging to detect any microcracks or connection defects introduced during lamination
5. Framing and junction box attachment — aluminium alloy frame bonded with structural silicone; IP68-rated junction box with bypass diodes mounted
6. Final flash testing — 100% I-V curve testing at STC conditions; power binning
7. Visual and mechanical inspection — surface inspection, corner and edge check, label verification
8. Packing and dispatch — pallet packing with anti-static protection for domestic and export shipment

This integrated, fully in-house module manufacturing line enables Websol to guarantee both DCR compliance and quality consistency across every module batch.

Conclusion

DCR compliance is not a bureaucratic hurdle — it is a fundamental supply chain requirement for any business participating in India’s government solar market. And with import duties of 40% on modules, it is a significant cost consideration for all solar procurement.

Websol Energy System Ltd. removes the complexity of DCR compliance with a fully integrated, India-based manufacturing platform: DCR cells manufactured at Falta SEZ, assembled into DCR modules at the same facility, with complete certification and documentation support. Whether you are supplying PM-KUSUM pumps, bidding SECI tenders, or installing PM Surya Ghar rooftop systems — Websol is your trusted DCR cell and module partner.