If you are procuring solar modules or cells for any project in India in 2026 — residential, commercial, or utility-scale — the ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) is not optional reading. It is the central compliance requirement that determines whether your project qualifies for government subsidies, whether your contracts hold up under scrutiny, and whether your modules pass DISCOM inspection.

This guide explains what ALMM is, how it has evolved, what the June 2026 mandate means in practice, and what Indian EPCs and developers must do to stay compliant.

What Is the ALMM?

The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is a mandatory registry maintained by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It lists solar PV modules (List-I) and solar PV cells (List-II) that have been verified for quality and domestic manufacturing compliance.

Only products on the ALMM list can be used in:

• Government-funded solar projects (SECI, NTPC, state DISCOM tenders)
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana residential installations
• Any net metering application in most states
• Projects receiving central or state financial assistance

Using a non-ALMM-listed product in these contexts risks rejection of subsidy claims, cancellation of net metering approvals, or voiding of project contracts.

As of mid-2026, the ALMM List-I covers 80+ approved module manufacturers with a combined listed capacity exceeding 60 GW. The ALMM List-II for solar cells — introduced more recently — has been revised seven times since its launch in 2025, reflecting the rapid pace of Indian cell manufacturing expansion.

ALMM List-I vs List-II: What’s the Difference?

ALMM List-I — Solar PV Modules

This is the original ALMM list. It covers finished solar modules — the panel you see on a rooftop or in a solar park. To be listed, a module must:

• Have front-side efficiency of 19% or above (threshold set by MNRE)
• Carry valid BIS certification under IS 14286
• Be manufactured at a verified domestic facility

ALMM List-II — Solar PV Cells

Introduced in 2025, List-II covers solar cells — the individual silicon wafers that are assembled into modules. This was a critical expansion of the ALMM framework, ensuring that not just the finished module but also its core component (the cell) meets domestic manufacturing requirements.

The June 1, 2026 deadline made ALMM List-II compliance mandatory for all project commissioning from that date onward. This means projects commissioned after June 2026 must use cells from a List-II approved manufacturer — regardless of when the contract was signed.

Websol Energy System is an ALMM List-II approved solar cell manufacturer, with its M10 Bifacial Mono-PERC cells verified for domestic manufacture at the Falta SEZ facility in West Bengal.

The June 2026 Mandate: What Changed

MNRE’s position has been unambiguous: no blanket extension of ALMM List-II compliance beyond June 1, 2026. This was reinforced by a series of advisory circulars issued between November 2025 and May 2026.

What this means practically:

• Any project commissioned from June 2026 onward must use ALMM List-II approved cells — full stop
• Case-by-case relief exists for projects with documented supply chain constraints but requires advance MNRE approval
• Developers who relied on non-listed cells and missed the deadline face rejection of commissioning certificates in several states

For EPCs currently in procurement or mid-execution, this has forced rapid verification of entire Bills of Materials (BOMs) — particularly for projects that had contracted cells from manufacturers who were not yet listed.

How ALMM Connects to DCR

The DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) and ALMM are related but distinct frameworks. Understanding both is essential.

• DCR mandates that cells and modules must be manufactured in India for certain government-linked projects. Not all projects carry DCR requirements — only those explicitly notified by MNRE or state agencies.
• ALMM mandates that the modules and cells used must be on the approved list — regardless of whether DCR applies.

A module can be ALMM-listed but not DCR-compliant (if it uses imported cells). A module can be made with Indian cells but those cells might not be ALMM List-II listed.

For the strictest compliance — particularly under PM Surya Ghar and SECI tenders — you need both: ALMM-listed modules made with ALMM List-II listed domestic cells.

Our detailed guide on DCR cells and DCR module compliance explains how the two frameworks interact and how to structure procurement correctly.

PM Surya Ghar and ALMM: What Installers Must Know

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana — India’s flagship residential rooftop solar scheme — has already facilitated over 40 lakh household installations as of mid-2026, with subsidies of up to ₹78,000 per household and a target of 75 lakh installations by December 2026.

But here is the critical detail: if your installation uses non-ALMM modules, the subsidy is not released. The National Portal checks module compliance at the point of application, and DISCOMs verify at the point of commissioning.

For installers, this means:

• Always verify the specific model number on the MNRE ALMM portal (mnre.gov.in) — not just the manufacturer name. A manufacturer’s listing covers specific models, not their entire catalogue.
• ALMM lists are updated frequently (the module List-I was updated as recently as May 2026). A module that was listed at the time of quotation may have its listing updated or extended — always recheck before commissioning.
• Avoid newly listed manufacturers with no prior BIS renewal history — their listing maintenance is less predictable.

How to Verify ALMM Compliance in Your Procurement

Step 1: Get the module model number from your supplier
Do not accept manufacturer name alone. Get the exact model number as it appears on the datasheet.

Step 2: Check the MNRE ALMM portal
Visit mnre.gov.in/en/approved-list-of-models-and-manufacturers-almm/ and download the latest List-I (modules) and List-II (cells). Search for the model number.

Step 3: Verify the cell manufacturer
If your project requires DCR compliance or List-II cell compliance, ask your module supplier to confirm which cell manufacturer’s cells are used and verify that manufacturer’s List-II status.

Step 4: Check BIS validity
ALMM listing and BIS certification are linked. If a manufacturer’s BIS licence lapses, their ALMM listing is suspended. Verify BIS certificate validity — not just ALMM listing date.

Step 5: Document everything
For government projects, maintain documentary evidence of ALMM compliance at the time of procurement, commissioning, and subsidy claim. DISCOMs in several states have begun requiring this documentation as part of net metering applications.

Websol Energy System: ALMM-Listed Cell Manufacturer

Websol Energy System is one of India’s longest-running solar cell manufacturers, having started production in 1994. Its M10 Bifacial Mono-PERC solar cells are manufactured at the Falta Special Economic Zone in West Bengal under verified quality processes.

Websol’s ALMM List-II listing means that module manufacturers who source cells from Websol can use those modules in:

• DCR-mandatory government tenders
• PM Surya Ghar Yojana installations
• All SECI/NTPC/state DISCOM bid projects with ALMM requirements

For module manufacturers looking for a reliable, ALMM-listed domestic cell supplier, contact Websol’s supply team to discuss sourcing and capacity.

The ALMM Landscape in 2026: Key Numbers

• 80+ manufacturers on ALMM List-I (modules) as of mid-2026
• Combined listed capacity: exceeding 60 GW
• ALMM List-II for cells: 7 revisions since launch, with RenewSys added in the April 2026 7th revision
• No Chinese manufacturers on either list — ALMM is explicitly a domestic manufacturing framework
• Efficiency threshold: Minimum 19% front-side module efficiency for List-I enlistment

The absence of Chinese manufacturers is particularly relevant for Indian EPCs who previously sourced low-cost imported modules. Under ALMM compliance, the entire supply chain must be domestically anchored — a structural shift that benefits established Indian manufacturers.