If you have received a solar quote in 2026, chances are “ALMM” appeared in the fine print, with nobody explaining what it gates. ALMM, the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) eligibility list for solar modules and cells used in India’s government-linked solar projects. It decides whether your PM Suryaghar subsidy survives, whether your DISCOM (electricity distribution company) approves net metering, and whether your panels were ever legally allowed on a subsidised project.
Direct answer. ALMM is MNRE’s official list of approved solar module models and manufacturers, split into List-I (finished modules, first list issued March 2021) and List-II (solar cells, first list issued July 2025). Listing is required for PM Suryaghar, PM-KUSUM, government tenders, and net-metering and open access projects. A 18 July 2026 MNRE order exempts net metering and open access projects from the List-II cell rule until 31 December 2026, but List-I module compliance still applies.
This guide covers what ALMM regulates, how List-I differs from List-II, who must comply, and how to check whether your quoted module is really on the current list.
What Is the ALMM List?
ALMM stands for Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, created by an MNRE order of 2 January 2019; the first module list followed on 10 March 2021, and MNRE updates the lists regularly on its ALMM page. It names the specific solar module models, by manufacturer and model number, eligible for government-subsidised and government-linked solar projects in India.
The list exists to solve a trust problem. Before ALMM, subsidised solar schemes had no reliable way to stop cheap, uncertified modules from entering the market and failing within a few years. ALMM ties subsidy eligibility to a manufacturer clearing MNRE’s documentation review, factory checks, and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) test reports under IEC 61215 (design qualification) and IEC 61730 (safety qualification). A module that clears this bar earns a spot on the list; one that does not, cannot legally be used in a subsidised project.
ALMM splits into List-I and List-II, regulating two different physical parts of a module, and that difference decides most of the confusion buyers run into. Our glossary entry on ALMM has the deeper listing mechanics; this guide focuses on what a buyer or EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) team needs to act on today.
ALMM List-I vs List-II: What’s the Difference?
List-I covers the finished solar panel; List-II covers only the solar cells sandwiched inside that panel. MNRE first issued List-I in March 2021, then added List-II for cells in July 2025 as India’s cell-manufacturing base scaled up under the Production Linked Incentive scheme. A module can sit on List-I while its cells are not yet on List-II, and whether that combination is legal right now depends on your project category.
| Dimension | ALMM List-I | ALMM List-II |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Finished solar PV modules (panels) | Solar PV cells inside the modules |
| First issued | 10 March 2021 (order issued January 2019) | 31 July 2025 |
| Mandatory for | Government and government-assisted projects, schemes such as PM Suryaghar and PM-KUSUM, net-metering and open access projects | Same categories, from 1 June 2026 baseline |
| Current exemption | None | Net metering / open access projects exempt until 31 December 2026 |
| Verification unit | Model number, not just brand | Cell source per manufacturer batch |
| Who checks it | Buyer, EPC, DISCOM inspector | EPC procurement team, MNRE audit |
The gap between the two lists is why India’s approved cell capacity, around 24 GW enlisted under List-II at the end of 2025 (MNRE year-end review), still trails its roughly 172 GW of module manufacturing capacity as on 31 March 2026 (MNRE). Forcing every project onto List-II cells immediately would have stranded projects, the exact reason the 2026 exemption exists. Our companion piece on the ALMM List-II exemption window breaks down that timeline, with a five-check readiness test.
📘 Regulation note
List-I has no exemption today. It was last suspended for FY 2023-24, when MNRE kept the ALMM order in abeyance and exempted projects commissioned by 31 March 2024. The current carve-out applies only to List-II, for two narrow project categories.
Who Must Comply With ALMM?
ALMM compliance is not optional the moment government money touches your project. If you are claiming a PM Suryaghar rooftop subsidy, applying under PM-KUSUM, bidding into a SECI or DISCOM tender, or connecting under net metering or open access, your modules must appear on the current List-I. Private projects that are neither net-metered nor open access can legally use non-ALMM modules, but most banks and EPCs specify ALMM anyway as a bankability floor.
The bound categories, per MNRE’s notifications:
- PM Suryaghar residential rooftop, every module must be List-I approved, or the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) subsidy is denied.
- PM-KUSUM agricultural solar, pumps and decentralised plants under PM-KUSUM follow the same List-I gate.
- SECI and central tenders, utility-scale bids specify ALMM as a bid-eligibility condition.
- State DISCOM net metering, your DISCOM (UGVCL, DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL, BESCOM, and others) checks ALMM status at feasibility and inspection.
- Private commercial and industrial, bound if net-metered or open access; otherwise no legal obligation, but lenders increasingly ask for it.
A homeowner who accepts a quote for panels not on the current List-I is not just risking module quality; they are walking away from up to ₹78,000 in central subsidy the moment the DISCOM inspector flags it, per current PM Suryaghar scheme rules (MNRE, 2026).
How to Check If a Module Is on the ALMM List
Checking ALMM status takes under two minutes and is the single most useful thing a buyer can do before signing a quote. The mistake most people make is checking the brand name and stopping there; MNRE lists specific model numbers, not blanket brand approvals.
💡 Fast tip
If your EPC cannot immediately produce the model number and its ALMM listing page when asked, treat that as a red flag. A vendor that knows their supply chain has this answer ready.
If you are also comparing panel technologies, our guide on how to choose solar modules covers efficiency, temperature coefficient, and warranty alongside the ALMM check.
The panel is one half of vetting a PM Surya Ghar installer. The other half is whether the vendor is registered on the national portal, because MNRE’s guidelines allow the subsidy only through vendors registered on the national portal. Next step: how to verify a PM Surya Ghar vendor before you sign.
Across our 10,000-plus installations, ALMM disputes almost always trace back to skipping one of three checks, not genuinely counterfeit panels. We call it the Heaven Green 3-Point ALMM Verification Check: (1) model-level match, the exact code appears verbatim on the current list; (2) date-stamp check, the list referenced is the latest version; (3) category fit, the project type is matched against which list requirements apply, including any live exemption. Score all three “yes” and a module is procurement-ready.
Curious what solar would cost for your home? Use our free solar calculator, subsidy eligibility and savings estimate in 60 seconds.
The ALMM List-II Exemption: What Changed in 2026
This is the fact buyers most often get wrong in 2026, so it’s worth stating precisely, in MNRE’s own words. On 18 July 2026, MNRE issued Office Memorandum No. 283/53/2026-GRID SOLAR, stating that “while there will be no blanket extension in applicability of ALMM List-II for solar power projects,” a limited window applies to net metering projects and Open Access renewable energy projects: they “can now commission with exemption of ALMM List-II (for solar PV cells), till 31st December 2026.” Projects commissioned after that date must comply with List-II in full.
That deadline replaced an earlier cut-off of 31 May 2026. Two things are easy to miss: the exemption is scoped to net metering and open access projects only, and it touches List-II (cells) only. List-I stays mandatory throughout.
📘 Regulation note
MNRE's order states any reference to earlier superseded memoranda should be read as amended to 31 December 2026. An older article citing May 2026 or a different date is outdated.
For the full mechanics, including what “commissioned” legally means and a five-point readiness check, see our breakdown of the ALMM List-II exemption window. You can also read MNRE’s ALMM page and the official List-II publication notice directly, or Mercom India’s coverage of the exemption process.
Red Flags: ALMM Mistakes That Cost Buyers Their Subsidy
Most ALMM disputes are a skipped verification step, not deliberate fraud. These are the mistakes we see most often.
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1
Verifying the brand, not the model number, only the exact model code matters.
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2
Not re-checking before installation, MNRE updates the list regularly, so it can change between quote and install.
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3
Assuming ALMM equals a performance guarantee, it certifies compliance, not 25-year output.
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4
Mixing in one non-ALMM module, a single non-listed panel can jeopardise the entire subsidy claim.
If your quote came from an unfamiliar installer, also read our guide on how to verify genuine Adani panels and cross-check against BIS, IEC, and ALMM quality certifications.
ALMM vs BIS vs Tier-1: How the Three Quality Checks Differ
Buyers often confuse ALMM with BIS certification, and both with the informal “Tier-1” label. The Bureau of Indian Standards’ compulsory registration scheme underpins ALMM eligibility but is a separate certification.
| Aspect | ALMM | BIS | Tier-1 (BNEF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer | MNRE | Bureau of Indian Standards | BloombergNEF |
| What it certifies | Government subsidy eligibility, by exact model | Product safety and performance testing | Project-finance bankability track record |
| Mandatory for subsidy | Yes | Indirectly (BIS underpins ALMM eligibility) | No |
| Update cycle | Several times a year | Upon renewal | Quarterly |
| Buyer relevance | Highest (subsidy gatekeeper) | Medium (technical baseline) | High for large commercial financing |
Verdict. BIS is the technical floor every module needs. ALMM is the subsidy gate built on top of BIS. Tier-1 is a separate financial signal lenders use for large projects. For a subsidised residential job, ALMM is non-negotiable; for a large unsubsidised commercial plant, Tier-1 status often matters more.
For the domestic-manufacturing angle, see our explainer on DCR vs non-DCR solar panels and the DCR glossary entry, since DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) and ALMM are frequently mixed up. If you are trying to verify whether a quote is genuinely DCR-compliant, not just ALMM-listed, our guide on DCR vs non-DCR buyer impact walks through the documentation checks separately from the ALMM steps above.
Is an ALMM-Listed Module Always the Best Choice?
Not necessarily; ALMM certifies a minimum bar, not the ceiling.
- ✓ Protects subsidy eligibility end to end
- ✓ Improves loan approval odds
- ✓ Cleared IEC 61215/61730 testing at minimum
- ✓ Easier to defend at DISCOM inspection
- ✗ New models can lag months behind listing
- ✗ Sometimes a 5 to 10% price premium
- ✗ Removal mid-project can disrupt procurement
- ✗ Not a performance or degradation guarantee
The exception is a private, unsubsidised plant where the buyer has already vetted the manufacturer via Tier-1 status and PVEL testing data; a non-ALMM module can be defensible there, provided the buyer accepts it forfeits future subsidy eligibility.
Get a free site visit. Our engineer visits in 24 hours, verifies your module’s ALMM status, and sends a custom proposal in 48 hours, no cost, no obligation. Get your free quote →
How Heaven Green Energy Helps
Heaven Green Energy has completed 10,000+ solar installations across 25+ cities as an MNRE-approved channel partner, and ALMM verification is a standard step in every subsidised quote we issue. We cross-check the model number, the current listing, and the applicable category, including live exemptions like the 2026 List-II window, so subsidy eligibility is never a surprise at inspection.
- Residential Solar, 1 to 10 kW rooftop systems with PM Suryaghar subsidy and ALMM compliance handled end to end.
- Commercial Solar, 10 to 100 kW systems with net metering and module verification built in.
- Solar EPC, turnkey design, procurement, and grid synchronisation under one contract.
- Solar Calculator, check subsidy eligibility and estimated savings in 60 seconds.
For the engineering side, Heaven Designs’ guide on how the ALMM list changes solar BOQ (bill of quantities) planning is a useful companion for EPC teams. On hardware, Qbits Energy’s breakdown of inverter BIS and IEC compliance in 2026 covers the parallel standards for inverters, which sit outside ALMM’s scope.
For installers: see how installers can partner with Heaven Green.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ALMM stand for?
ALMM stands for Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, MNRE’s eligibility list for solar modules and cells used in India’s subsidised and government-linked solar projects. The ALMM order dates from January 2019 and the first module list from March 2021; MNRE updates the lists regularly on its ALMM page, tracked by exact model number, not brand.
What is the difference between ALMM List-I and List-II?
List-I covers finished solar PV modules; the first list was issued in March 2021, and apart from FY 2023-24, when the order was held in abeyance, it has applied ever since. List-II covers the solar cells inside those modules, first published in July 2025. A 2026 order exempts net metering and open access projects from the List-II cell rule until 31 December 2026. List-I has no current exemption.
Is ALMM compliance mandatory for all solar projects?
No. It is mandatory for government and government-assisted projects, schemes such as PM Suryaghar and PM-KUSUM, SECI and other government tenders, and all net-metering and open access projects, private ones included. Private projects that are neither net-metered nor open access can legally skip it, though lenders and EPCs often recommend ALMM-listed products anyway.
How do I check if a specific solar module is ALMM listed?
Visit MNRE’s ALMM page on mnre.gov.in and download the latest List-I (and List-II, if relevant) PDF. Search for your manufacturer, then confirm the exact model number and wattage variant on your quote matches a listed entry, not just the brand name.
What happens if I install a non-ALMM module in a subsidised project?
The Direct Benefit Transfer subsidy is denied, which for a typical PM Suryaghar rooftop can mean losing up to ₹78,000 (MNRE, 2026). Even one non-listed module in an otherwise compliant array can jeopardise the entire subsidy claim.
What is the current ALMM List-II exemption deadline?
MNRE’s Office Memorandum No. 283/53/2026-GRID SOLAR, dated 18 July 2026, sets 31 December 2026 as the deadline for net metering and open access projects to commission with a List-II cell exemption. Projects commissioned later must fully comply. List-I stays mandatory throughout.
Does ALMM apply to solar inverters or only panels?
ALMM applies only to solar PV modules and cells. Inverters are not on ALMM; they must instead meet BIS and IEC compliance requirements.
Is an ALMM-listed module automatically a good quality panel?
Not automatically. ALMM certifies minimum documentation and BIS testing under IEC 61215 and IEC 61730, a floor, not a ceiling. Compare efficiency, temperature coefficient, and warranties beyond ALMM status alone.