When MNRE introduced the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, it changed how procurement works for every subsidised solar project in India. The ALMM is not a quality certification — it is a mandatory product registry. Use a product not on the list in a PM Surya Ghar installation, and the subsidy does not get released. Use it in a government tender, and the contract can be voided.
For installers, understanding ALMM compliance is as important as knowing the subsidy amounts.
What ALMM Is and Why It Was Introduced
MNRE introduced the ALMM to address a persistent problem in India’s solar market: the use of substandard or uncertified products in government-funded installations. Before ALMM, projects sometimes used modules with forged test certificates or inverters that failed anti-islanding protection tests — creating grid safety risks and poor consumer outcomes.
The ALMM creates a two-stage filter:
- BIS certification (product must meet Indian technical standards)
- MNRE ALMM listing (manufacturer must demonstrate ongoing compliance through MNRE’s own oversight)
Both stages must be passed for a product to be eligible in subsidised projects.
List I: Solar PV Modules
ALMM List I covers crystalline silicon solar PV modules. For a module to be listed:
Technical requirements:
- BIS certification to IS 14086 Part 1 (performance) and Part 2 (safety)
- Performance test report from an NABL-accredited or BIS-recognised laboratory
- Product must meet MNRE’s minimum module efficiency standards (updated periodically)
Administrative requirements:
- Manufacturer must be a registered legal entity in India (or an authorised importer with an Indian entity)
- Factory inspection by MNRE’s designated agency
- Commitment to ongoing quality monitoring
What List I covers:
- Module type (mono-PERC, poly, bifacial, etc.)
- Specific model numbers and wattages
- Manufacturer name and country of manufacture
ALMM Listing Is Model-Specific
A manufacturer with 10 module models in production may have 7 on List I and 3 not yet listed. You must verify the specific model number being procured — not just the manufacturer’s name. This matters when a manufacturer updates a product range mid-year and the new variant has not yet gone through the ALMM process.
List II: Solar PV Inverters
ALMM List II covers grid-connected solar inverters. Requirements parallel List I:
Technical requirements:
- BIS certification to IS 16221 Part 1 (general and anti-islanding) and Part 2 (safety)
- Type test report from an NABL-accredited or BIS-recognised laboratory
What List II covers:
- Inverter make and model
- Rated output power (kVA/kW)
- Input voltage range
- Grid connection type (single-phase, three-phase)
How Manufacturers Get Listed
The ALMM listing process involves several steps:
Obtain BIS Certification
The manufacturer must first obtain BIS certification to IS 14086 (modules) or IS 16221 (inverters). This involves product sample testing at a BIS-recognised lab and a factory inspection by BIS. BIS certification alone takes 3–8 months.
Apply to MNRE for ALMM Listing
With the BIS certificate in hand, the manufacturer submits an ALMM application to MNRE with test reports, the BIS licence copy, factory details, and product specifications. MNRE reviews the application and may request additional documentation.
Factory Inspection by MNRE Agency
MNRE’s designated inspection agency visits the manufacturing facility to verify production capacity, quality control processes, and consistency with the submitted product specifications.
ALMM Listing and Publication
After successful review, the product is added to the ALMM list published on the MNRE website. The list is updated quarterly. The manufacturer receives an ALMM registration number for each listed model.
How to Check ALMM Compliance
The ALMM lists are published on the MNRE website and updated quarterly. The process for checking:
- Download the current List I (modules) or List II (inverters) PDF from the MNRE website
- Search for the manufacturer name
- Find the specific model number and verify it matches your procurement spec exactly
- Note the list entry date — if it is very recent, confirm the listing was active at your project approval date
Pro Tip: Save the ALMM List PDF at Procurement Date
Save a dated copy of the ALMM list PDF at the time you procure components. If a product is later delisted before commissioning, having documentation that it was listed at procurement time supports your case with the DISCOM. Some DISCOMs accept procurement-date ALMM status for ongoing projects.
Consequences of Using Non-ALMM Products
The consequences differ by project type:
| Project Type | Consequence of Non-ALMM Product |
|---|---|
| PM Surya Ghar residential | Central financial assistance (subsidy) not released |
| Government tender (SECI, DISCOM, state agency) | Contract violation — potential blacklisting, financial penalty |
| Private commercial (no subsidy) | No consequence for ALMM specifically, but BIS certification still required |
| Housing society (Group Net Metering) | State-scheme subsidies may be withheld |
For private commercial installations with no government funding, ALMM listing is not legally required. BIS certification (IS 14086 / IS 16221) remains mandatory regardless.
DCR vs ALMM: What Each Requires
These two requirements are often confused:
| Requirement | Managed by | What It Means | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALMM | MNRE | Product approved for subsidised projects | All PM Surya Ghar + govt tenders |
| DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) | MNRE / tender conditions | Modules must be made in India using Indian cells and wafers | Specific government tenders only |
| BIS Certification | Bureau of Indian Standards | Product meets safety and performance standards | All modules and inverters sold in India |
DCR is a procurement condition in specific tenders — it restricts the geographic source of components, not just their quality. Not all government projects require DCR; it is specified in the tender document. PM Surya Ghar does not require DCR (imported ALMM-listed panels are acceptable).
Impact on Imported Panels
The BIS Quality Control Order 2022 requires all solar modules sold in India — including imported ones — to hold IS 14086 BIS certification. This changed the import landscape significantly.
Prior to the QCO, many imported modules (particularly from China and Southeast Asia) did not hold Indian BIS certification. Since 2022, importers must either import BIS-certified modules or go through the BIS certification process for their imported models.
For the ALMM, imported modules that hold BIS certification can still be ALMM-listed — DCR restrictions apply only to specific tenders requiring Indian-made modules. Most PM Surya Ghar installations accept BIS-certified, ALMM-listed imported modules.
BIS Certification vs ALMM: Clear Comparison
| Feature | BIS Certification | ALMM Listing |
|---|---|---|
| Administered by | Bureau of Indian Standards | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy |
| Standard | IS 14086 (modules) / IS 16221 (inverters) | MNRE’s own criteria (BIS + additional) |
| Required for | All solar products sold in India | Government and subsidised projects |
| Renewal | Annual licence renewal | Quarterly list update (re-verification) |
| Verification | BIS Care app or bis.gov.in | MNRE website PDF download |
| Consequence of absence | Product cannot be legally sold | Subsidy/tender eligibility lost |
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ALMM Update Frequency and Delisting
MNRE updates the ALMM lists quarterly. Products can be:
- Added: New models that pass the listing process appear in the quarterly update
- Retained: Models that maintain their BIS certification and MNRE oversight
- Delisted: Models whose BIS certification lapses, whose manufacturer fails a factory inspection, or where quality complaints have been substantiated
Delisting mid-project is an installer’s risk. A product that was ALMM-listed at the time of the PM Surya Ghar application may be delisted before commissioning if the manufacturer’s BIS licence lapses during that period. DISCOMs vary in how they handle this — some accept the procurement-date ALMM status, others require current listing at commissioning.
Risk mitigation: Stick to established manufacturers with consistent BIS renewal histories. Avoid newly listed products from manufacturers with no prior India track record, as their BIS maintenance is less predictable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ALMM list?
MNRE’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers — List I for solar modules, List II for solar inverters. Mandatory for all PM Surya Ghar and government-tender projects.
What happens with non-ALMM products?
In PM Surya Ghar projects, the subsidy is not released. In government tenders, contract violation applies. In private commercial projects, no ALMM consequence — but BIS certification is still legally required for all sales.
What is DCR?
Domestic Content Requirement — a tender condition (not universal) requiring modules to be manufactured in India using Indian cells and wafers. Not required in PM Surya Ghar; specified in individual government tenders.
Is ALMM the same as BIS?
No. BIS certification is the prerequisite; ALMM is an additional MNRE approval layer required for subsidised projects. Both are needed for PM Surya Ghar installations.
