MNRE Allows ALMM Listing of Solar Modules up to 3 Percent Higher Wattage Without Factory Inspection
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has allowed solar PV module models with up to 3 percent higher wattage than an already ALMM-listed model to be enlisted without a fresh factory inspection, provided they are manufactured on the same production line and facility.
June 09, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey
MNRE said that the decision was taken following industry representations seeking simplification of the ALMM approval process for higher-power module variants. The ministry examined the matter in consultation with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and approved a set of relaxations aimed at improving ease of doing business.
Under the new guidelines, solar PV module models with wattage up to 3 percent higher than the highest-wattage module already enlisted in the ALMM can be added to the list without undergoing a fresh physical factory inspection. The relaxation will be available only if the manufacturing facility remains unchanged, the production line and machinery continue to be the same, and the required technical documentation for the higher-power modules is submitted and reviewed.
MNRE clarified that the exemption applies only when the base model, over which the additional wattage is being claimed, was originally enlisted through a process involving factory inspection. “For example, if a solar PV module manufacturer has got a 540 Wp MonoPERC solar PV module model enlisted in ALMM through process involving factory inspection, then such manufacturer can get up to a maximum of similar 556 Wp Mono-PERC solar PV module model, enlisted without factory inspection, but the said manufacturer cannot successively get further higher Wp Mono-PERC solar PV module model enlisted in ALMM without factory inspection, citing an increase of wattage within 3 percent over the already enlisted 556 Wp Mono-PERC solar PV module model, as the enlistment for the 556 Wp Mono-PERC solar PV module model was not done through process involving factory inspection,” clarified MNRE.
For module models where the wattage increase exceeds 3 percent, NISE will conduct an online inspection focused on verification of the module’s current-voltage (I-V) performance curves. Following successful verification, such models may be considered for ALMM enlistment.
The ministry emphasised that the relaxation will only be applicable when there are no major changes in the bill of materials (BOM), module design, cell size, module dimensions, or configuration. The objective is to facilitate the approval of higher-wattage module variants where performance gains primarily result from improvements in solar cell efficiency rather than changes in manufacturing infrastructure.
According to the memorandum, newly approved higher-wattage models will be incorporated into the existing ALMM-listed module family. In cases where the existing module family cannot accommodate the new models because of the permissible ±5 percent wattage range criteria, a new module family will be created.
MNRE further clarified that the inclusion of higher-wattage modules through the relaxed process will not lead to any increase in the manufacturing capacity already approved under ALMM. Any proposal seeking an increase in enlisted manufacturing capacity will continue to require physical factory inspection as per the existing procedure.
The ministry stated that the measure is intended to reduce procedural delays and support faster adoption of incremental technology improvements in domestic solar module manufacturing, while maintaining quality and performance verification standards under the ALMM framework.
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