MNRE Extends ALMM List II Exemption for Net Metering, Open Access Projects till Dec. 2026, No Blanket Relief

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the exemption from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List II requirements for solar photovoltaic (PV) cells for net metering and open access renewable energy projects until December 31, 2026, while reiterating that there will be no blanket extension of ALMM List II for the wider solar sector.

The decision, issued through Office Memorandum allows eligible net metering and open access renewable energy projects to be commissioned without complying with ALMM List II for solar PV cells until the end of this year. The ministry clarified that projects commissioned after December 31, 2026, will be required to source solar PV modules from ALMM List I and solar PV cells from ALMM List II.

The latest directive supersedes five earlier office memorandums issued on May 25, 2026, June 8, 2026 (two separate office memorandums), June 15, 2026, and June 23, 2026, which had dealt with the implementation of ALMM List II. The ministry said references to these superseded office memorandums in other ALMM related notifications will be deemed amended in accordance with the latest decision.

Recalling the regulatory framework, MNRE noted that its Office Memorandum dated December 9, 2024, reiterated through another memorandum issued on July 28, 2025, had mandated that all net metering and open access renewable energy projects commissioned on or after June 1, 2026, must procure solar PV modules from ALMM List I and solar PV cells from ALMM List II. Subsequently, through an Office Memorandum dated May 25, 2026, the ministry had stated that there would be no blanket extension of ALMM List II beyond June 1, 2026, while protecting investments already made.

Under the revised decision, the exemption from ALMM List II for solar PV cells, which was earlier available until May 31, 2026, will now continue until December 31, 2026 for net metering and open access renewable energy projects. Projects commissioned after that date will be required to comply with the ALMM List II provisions.

According to the ministry, the decision was taken after detailed deliberations with stakeholders across the solar industry to ensure a smooth transition to the implementation of ALMM List II for solar PV cells in the net metering and open access segments.