MNRE Clarifies ALMM List-II Cell Requirements for Government Building Rooftop Solar Projects

In a move to streamline sourcing requirements and resolve mounting industry ambiguity, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a definitive clarification regarding the applicability of ALMM List-II (Solar PV Cells) for rooftop solar installations on government buildings. The Office Memorandum (OM), dated July 6, 2026, provides a granular compliance framework for both competitively bid projects and non-bid arrangements. By establishing precise cut-off dates and eligibility categories, the ministry aims to clarify the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) landscape for developers and implementing agencies navigating the transition to mandatory domestic cell sourcing mandates.

Compliance Framework for Tendered Government Projects

For rooftop solar installations on government buildings awarded through a competitive bidding process, the MNRE has established four distinct eligibility categories based on the date of bid submission. Compliance with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II is determined by the following milestones:

ALMM List-II Compliance for Tendered Government Projects

Rules for Net-Metering, Behind-the-Meter, and Open-Access Projects

The ministry has further codified sourcing requirements for government building rooftop projects implemented under non-bid arrangements, specifically addressing queries regarding net-metering, Behind-the-Meter (BTM), and open-access mechanisms. Compliance in these categories is determined primarily by the project’s commissioning status:

• Commissioned before June 1, 2026: These projects remain exempt from the mandate to use solar PV cells from manufacturers enlisted in ALMM List-II.
• Commissioned on or after June 1, 2026: Compliance with List-II is mandatory. Exemption is only permitted if the project has been granted a case-specific time-extension and approval under the provisions of the MNRE OM dated May 25, 2026.

Note: While certain categories may be exempt from the List-II (solar cell) requirement, all projects remain subject to existing regulations requiring the use of solar PV modules enlisted in ALMM List-I.

Chronology of Key Policy Reference Dates

The current regulatory landscape is the result of a multi-year policy evolution designed to strengthen the domestic manufacturing ecosystem. The following milestones form the authoritative timeline for ALMM List-II implementation:

1. December 9, 2024: Issuance of the original implementation framework (Established the foundational DCR mandate for solar PV cells).
2. July 28, 2025: Amendment to the implementation framework (Shifted the cell compliance cut-off date for bid-based projects from December 2024 to August 2025).
3. July 31, 2025: Release of the inaugural ALMM List-II (Officially identified the first batch of approved domestic cell manufacturers for industry sourcing).
4. August 12, 2025: Clarification on exemptions (Extended sourcing relief to decentralized mechanisms, including net-metering, BTM, and open-access projects).
5. September 23, 2025: Publication of Frequently Asked Questions (Provided necessary technical clarity on the eligibility of bids that were active as of July 28, 2025).
6. May 25, 2026: Office Memorandum regarding case-based relief (Introduced mechanisms for commissioning extensions for projects facing genuine implementation delays).
7. June 1, 2026: Official effective date for ALMM List-II (Marked the formal transition to mandatory domestic cell sourcing across the renewable energy sector).
8. July 6, 2026: Current clarification regarding government buildings (Consolidated and defined sourcing mandates specifically for solar assets on public infrastructure).