MNRE Expands ALMM List-II to 29.3 GW: Reliance Industries Debuts Heterojunction (HJT) Technology

The 6th Revision of ALMM List-II

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), through an Office Memorandum dated April 13, 2026, has issued the 6th revision of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for Solar PV Cells. This revision adds 2,829 MW of solar cell capacity, bringing the total domestic enlisted capacity to 29,306 MW (approximately 29.3 GW). This update serves as a critical regulatory benchmark ahead of the June 1, 2026, implementation deadline, after which all government-backed solar projects must utilize cells sourced from this approved list.

Technology Milestone: Heterojunction (HJT) Entry

The 6th revision marks a significant technological transition in the Indian manufacturing landscape with the first-time inclusion of Heterojunction (HJT) technology in ALMM List-II. While the list has historically been dominated by Mono PERC and TOPCon architectures, the inclusion of HJT signifies a policy signal toward higher-efficiency domestic capabilities.

Technically, HJT technology offers distinct performance advantages over N-type TOPCon, specifically regarding thermal stability. HJT cells feature a superior temperature coefficient of -0.25%/°C, compared to -0.30%/°C for TOPCon, resulting in higher power output in high-temperature environments.

Key Entrant Profile: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)

Reliance Industries Limited has secured the first HJT enlistment in ALMM List-II, representing a milestone in advanced cell manufacturing at its New Energy Complex in Jamnagar.

• Enlisted Capacity: 1,238 MW per year.
• Manufacturing Location: New Energy Complex, Jamnagar, Gujarat.
• Model Identifier: HJNxx.
• Technology & Design: HJT Solar Cell utilizing a 210 mm × 105 mm format. The architecture is zero-busbar (no busbar) and is specified as PID-free (Potential Induced Degradation), as per manufacturer claims.
• Efficiency & Output: Average solar cell efficiency of 25.40% (range 23.80% to 25.60%) and an average wattage of 5.60 W (range 5.28 W to 5.66 W).
• Validity: April 13, 2026, to April 12, 2030.

Expansion Updates: Jupiter Solartech and Websol Energy

The 6th Revision also features the addition of a new manufacturer and a capacity expansion for an existing entrant. The following table summarizes these updates:

Note: Efficiency and wattage ranges are as claimed by the manufacturers.

Historical Context: Previous Major Enlistments

The current 29.3 GW landscape is anchored by major industrial players from previous revisions (1–5). Reliance’s new HJT benchmark of 25.40% now competes directly with established N-Type TOPCon leaders:

• Mundra Solar (Adani): 2,298 MW of N-Type TOPCon capacity with an average efficiency of 25.35%.
• Premier Energies: 1,358 MW of N-Type TOPCon capacity with an average efficiency of 25.37%.
• Emmvee Energy: 1,553 MW of N-Type TOPCon capacity.
• Tata Power / TP Solar: Mono PERC capacity including 4,801 MW for TP Solar in Tamil Nadu.

Regulatory Mandate and Implementation

The ALMM List-II is the primary enforcement tool for the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR). Under MNRE regulations, all government-supported solar projects—including those under the CPSU scheme, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and tenders from SECI or NTPC—must use cells from this list.

• The One-Month Rule: Per the July 28, 2025 amendment, the mandate for using cells from ALMM List-II becomes active for specific projects one month after the publication of the list. Given the 6th Revision was published on April 13, 2026, the mandate for these newly listed manufacturers becomes active on May 13, 2026.
• Compliance Window: This one-month rule creates a narrow 19-day window for procurement and technical alignment before the hard commissioning deadline of June 1, 2026.
• Non-Compliance: Failure to use ALMM-listed cells in government-supported tenders results in project disqualification for subsidies and rejection of bids. This mandate ensures the “heart” of the solar module is domestically produced to mitigate supply chain risks associated with imported cells.