MNRE Proposes to Extend ALMM to Solar Wafers from June 1, 2028
MNRE has issued a draft amendment to extend the ALMM framework to solar wafers from June 1, 2028, aiming to strengthen India’s domestic ingot-to-module value chain and cut import dependence. Stakeholders can submit comments and suggestions by October 11, 2025.
September 13, 2025. By Mrinmoy Dey
As per the draft, ALMM List-III for wafers will come into effect from June 1, 2028, subject to the condition that at least three independent wafer manufacturing units are operational, with a combined annual capacity of 15 GW. Importantly, enlisted wafer manufacturers must also have equivalent ingot manufacturing capacity, ensuring integrated upstream production.
The amendment mandates that solar projects falling under ALMM must source modules from List-I, which must have used cells from List-II, and those cells must use wafers from the new List-III.
Projects that are exempted from using ALMM enlisted solar cells will automatically get exemption from using ALMM enlisted wafers, clarified the draft. It further added that projects bid out before the notified cut-off date will be exempt from the requirement of using ALMM-listed wafers, even if commissioned after 2028.
Effective date onwards, only such solar PV modules will remain in ALMM List-I that use solar PV cells from ALMM List-II, which in turn are using wafers from ALMM List-III. Solar PV module manufacturers who fail to comply with this condition will be liable to be delisted from ALMM List-I, mentioned the notification.
However, separate ALMM List-I(a) for solar PV modules using solar cells and wafers not enlisted in ALMM; ALMM List-I(b) for solar PV modules using solar cells enlisted in ALMM but wafers not enlisted in ALMM; and ALMM List-II(a) for solar PV cells using wafers not enlisted in ALMM would be maintained and these lists would contain such solar PV modules/solar PV cells, which would cater to different categories of projects which are exempted from using ALMM enlisted wafers but are mandated to use either ALMM enlisted modules or ALMM enlisted modules and cells.
“Net-Metering Projects and Open Access RE Power Projects, which get commissioned prior to the 'Effective Date' shall be exempt from the requirement of using wafers from ALMM List-III, but the requirement of using ALMM enlisted (cells and modules) or ALMM enlisted modules, as may be applicable, will apply,” specified the draft.
The draft also specifies a phased compliance roadmap for Government-owned captive projects and behind-the-meter projects. While projects commissioned before June 2026 will only need ALMM-listed modules, between June 2026 and June 2028, both modules and cells must comply. From June 2028 onwards, wafers too must be ALMM-compliant.
For thin-film solar PV modules manufactured in integrated facilities, deemed compliance with the wafer and cell requirements will apply.
“There shall be no relaxation in the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) provisions, wherever applicable in respect of MNRE’s Schemes Programs like Components B&C of PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and CPSU Scheme Phase-II,” the draft noted.
The ministry will issue detailed procedural guidelines for the enlistment of wafer manufacturers under ALMM List-III at a later stage. It has, however, sought stakeholders’ comments and suggestions by October 11, 2025.
This move is expected to accelerate India’s ambition of establishing a fully swadeshi solar value chain by strengthening domestic ingot and wafer manufacturing capacities, areas that have so far remained heavily import-dependent.
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