Solar Plant Set Up Solely for Charging Grid-Connected BESS Not Exempt from ALMM for Modules: MNRE
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has clarified that solar plants set up solely to charge grid-connected battery energy storage systems are not eligible for ALMM exemption for solar modules, as they do not qualify as behind-the-meter captive projects. The cut of date for ALMM for solar cells implementation will be 1 month from List-II publication.
July 29, 2025. By Mrinmoy Dey
The clarification came after MNRE received queries pertaining to applicability of ALMM for solar modules on solar plants set up by private enterprises solely for the purpose of charging the BESS. MNRE was also asked whether such projects will be considered as behind-the-meter solar project and will get the exemption from ALMM for solar modules that is extended to behind-the-meter private captive projects.
“If a solar power plant is feeding power to an energy storage system/charging an energy storage system, which is directly or indirectly supplying electricity to the grid, then such solar power plant does not fall under the category of ‘behind-the-meter solar power plants solely used for captive consumption by a consumer or group of consumers’ and accordingly, is not eligible for exemption from ALMM for solar PV modules,” clarified the MNRE.
It further added that the applicability/exemption from ALMM for solar PV cells on such solar power projects will depend upon the applicability/exemption from ALMM for solar cells for the energy storage system project which is being fed/charged by the solar power plant.
“If such 'Energy Storage System' project is exempted from ALMM for solar PV cells, then the solar power plant exclusively feeding/charging such 'Energy Storage System' project will also be exempt from ALMM for solar PV cells, and vice-versa,” stated the MNRE.
In another development, the MNRE also clarified that the cut-off date for the implementation of ALMM List-II for solar PV cells will be one month after the publication of the list.
The Ministry clarified that for all projects which are mandated to use solar PV modules from ALMM List-I for solar PV modules, if the last date of bid submission is on or before the cut-off date, such projects shall be mandated to use solar PV modules from ALMM List-I for solar PV modules but will stand exempted from the requirement of using solar PV cells from ALMM List-II for solar PV cells, irrespective of their date of commissioning.
“Such projects will be exempt from the requirement of using solar PV cells from ALMM List-II, even if their date of commissioning is beyond June 1, 2026,” explained the MNRE.
However, the MNRE has emphasised that there shall be no relaxation in Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) provisions, wherever applicable in respect of MNRE's Schemes/programs like Components B and C of PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and CPSU Scheme Phase-II.
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