The Government of India has announced plans to expand its solar manufacturing regulations by bringing solar ingots and wafers under the country’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework, in a move aimed at strengthening domestic production and reducing reliance on imported components.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said the new provisions will take effect from June 1, 2028, with the introduction of ALMM List-III covering manufacturers of solar ingots and wafers. From the effective date, solar projects across India, including those operating under net metering and open-access arrangements, will be required to use ALMM-listed wafers.
The ministry said the policy is designed to strengthen India’s solar value chain by encouraging investment in upstream manufacturing. By bringing ingots and wafers under the ALMM framework, the government aims to promote a more integrated domestic industry, covering key stages of solar production from upstream components to finished modules.
India’s Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, described the policy as a major step towards strengthening the country’s solar manufacturing ecosystem. He said the initiative is expected to increase domestic production, improve supply-chain resilience, reduce import dependence and promote higher quality standards across the solar industry.
Under the new provisions, bids submitted after the specified cut-off date under the Electricity Act will be required to use wafers that comply with ALMM List-III. However, the initial list will only be issued after at least three independent manufacturers become operational in India, with a combined production capacity of 15 gigawatts.
Manufacturers seeking inclusion on the list will also be required to have corresponding ingot production capacity, a condition intended to encourage greater upstream integration and reduce dependence on imported materials.
The government has introduced grandfathering provisions to protect solar projects already in the pipeline from being adversely affected by the new requirements. It also confirmed that existing Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) rules will remain unchanged.
The policy forms part of India’s broader strategy to expand its renewable energy sector and strengthen domestic manufacturing of clean-energy technologies. The government is targeting 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, with solar power expected to play a major role in achieving the goal.
Officials say strengthening domestic production of ingots, wafers and other solar components will help improve energy security, create a more resilient supply chain and advance India’s ambition of achieving greater self-reliance in clean energy.
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