MNRE Grants 1 Month Transitional Relief for RE Projects Awaiting ALMM List-II Exemption Approval
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued a clarification enabling eligible utility-scale, open-access, captive and C&I renewable energy projects installed before June 1, 2026, to secure provisional commissioning and continue power transactions while their ALMM List-II exemption applications are under review.
June 24, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey
As per the clarification issued by MNRE, projects that have already been installed, use solar PV modules from ALMM List-I manufacturers, and have submitted exemption applications through the National Institute of Solar Energy’s DCR portal can be commissioned pending a final decision on their exemption requests. The relief is applicable only to projects that are not covered under the separate provisional commissioning provisions already notified for rooftop solar projects.
MNRE has directed state agencies, nodal agencies, DISCOMs and other commissioning authorities to verify project documentation and permit commissioning of eligible projects during the interim period. The ministry has further clarified that approvals, commercial operation date (COD) recognition, open-access permissions, wheeling and banking agreements, scheduling registrations and energy settlement processes should not be withheld merely because an ALMM List-II exemption application is awaiting approval.
The move comes after developers reported that several projects were fully installed before the June 1, 2026 implementation deadline but remained stranded due to delays in processing exemption applications. According to the ministry, some agencies had interpreted its May 25, 2026, order as preventing commissioning until exemption certificates were formally issued.
To address the issue, MNRE has provided a one-month window from the date of the clarification for the commissioning of eligible projects. Authorities have also been instructed to maintain records of installation dates, reasons for delays and compliance with eligibility requirements. Where commissioning is delayed due to actions by the approving authority, the reasons must be documented in writing.
The ministry emphasised that the clarification is a transitional measure and should not be treated as an extension of the June 1, 2026 deadline for implementation of ALMM List-II requirements for solar PV cells.
MNRE earlier ruled out a blanket extension of the June 1, 2026 ALMM List-II compliance deadline for solar cells, while allowing project-specific exemptions for net-metering and open access projects that had achieved substantial progress before the cut-off date.
Under Category I, projects where 100 percent of solar PV modules had been installed before June 1, 2026 but commissioning remained pending may qualify for exemption. Developers will be required to submit approval or certification from the concerned Electrical Inspectorate confirming completion of DC-side installations, including module installation.
Under Category II, projects that had undertaken “effective steps” before the deadline must satisfy multiple conditions simultaneously to qualify for consideration. These include possession of at least 75 percent of project land before June 1, 2026, achievement of financial closure, grant of in-principle connectivity, and approval of electrical drawings before May 1, 2026.
Additionally, developers must either demonstrate that 100 percent of required solar modules had reached the project site before notification of the memorandum or prove that over 50 percent of modules had already been installed prior to June 1, 2026. Supporting documents such as land records, loan sanction letters, connectivity approvals, GST invoices, e-way bills, geo-tagged photographs and Electrical Inspectorate certifications will be required.
MNRE said all applications must be submitted digitally through a dedicated portal developed by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) by June 30, 2026.
MNRE, through a notification issued earlier this month, simplified the procedure for ALMM List-ll exemption for certain rooftop solar projects, permitting developers to submit installation-related documents like GIS-tagged site photographs, invoices, daily installation reports and self-certification, in place of Electrical Inspectorate certification.
Earlier this month, MNRE also exempted residential rooftop solar consumers opting out of Central Financial Assistance and availing net metering under the PM Surya Ghar scheme’s ‘Give It Up’ option from ALMM List-II cell requirements until March 31, 2027.
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