ALMM

What Is ALMM?

ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s official list of solar photovoltaic modules and their manufacturers eligible for use in government-subsidised solar projects in India. The list is maintained, updated quarterly, and published on MNRE’s website (mnre.gov.in/almm).

ALMM was introduced in 2019 to address two critical concerns: quality assurance in government-funded solar installations, and support for Indian solar manufacturing. By restricting subsidy eligibility to manufacturers that meet defined quality, testing, and manufacturing-capacity criteria, MNRE aimed to elevate the standard of solar deployment across the country. The framework protects consumers from substandard equipment, gives lenders confidence in project bankability, and creates a level playing field for quality manufacturers.

The list is divided into multiple categories. List I covers solar PV modules. List II covers solar cells. Both lists are updated quarterly with additions and removals based on compliance reviews. A manufacturer can be on List I, List II, or both, depending on their production capabilities.

Important: ALMM listing is mandatory for all government-subsidised solar projects. Installing non-ALMM modules in a PM Surya Ghar or PM KUSUM project will result in subsidy denial.

Why ALMM Matters

ALMM matters because it is the gatekeeper for quality in India’s subsidised solar ecosystem. Without ALMM, the market would be flooded with uncertified, low-quality modules that fail prematurely, discrediting solar as a reliable energy source. ALMM works alongside other quality checks such as BIS and IEC testing; for a full picture of how these overlapping BIS, IEC, and ALMM quality certifications fit together, see the dedicated breakdown.

Consumer protection: ALMM ensures that residential consumers under PM Surya Ghar receive modules that have passed BIS-certified testing under IEC 61215 and IEC 61730. This reduces the risk of early failure, hot spots, and performance degradation.

Bankability: Banks and NBFCs financing solar projects prefer ALMM-listed modules because the listing implies compliance with recognised standards, which is also why lenders and DISCOMs increasingly ask for a bankable EPC contractor on the project. This improves loan approval rates and terms for consumers.

Manufacturing discipline: ALMM’s manufacturing-capacity and quality-system requirements force domestic manufacturers to invest in proper equipment, processes, and testing. This raises the overall standard of Indian solar manufacturing.

Subsidy integrity: By linking subsidy eligibility to ALMM compliance, MNRE ensures that taxpayer money is spent on quality installations that deliver promised energy savings.

Market signal: Even for non-subsidised private projects, ALMM listing serves as a quality signal. Many commercial and industrial buyers specify ALMM-listed modules even when not required.

How ALMM Works

The ALMM lifecycle involves application, evaluation, listing, and ongoing compliance. Because module selection is locked in before procurement, EPC teams also need to understand how the ALMM list changes solar BOQ planning so bill-of-quantities revisions don’t stall a project mid-design.

1. Manufacturer application: A solar module manufacturer submits an application to MNRE with detailed documentation including manufacturing capacity, quality control systems, financial statements, and BIS certification.

2. Technical review: MNRE evaluates the application against ALMM Procedure 2019 criteria. This includes verification of IEC 61215 (design qualification) and IEC 61730 (safety) test reports from BIS-recognised laboratories.

3. Factory inspection: MNRE-appointed inspectors may visit manufacturing facilities to verify documented processes, equipment, and quality control systems.

4. Listing decision: Qualifying manufacturers and specific model numbers are added to the ALMM list. Each model variant is listed separately with its power rating and technical specifications.

5. Quarterly updates: MNRE publishes updated ALMM lists every quarter. New manufacturers are added. Non-compliant manufacturers are removed.

6. Ongoing compliance: Listed manufacturers must maintain BIS certification, quality systems, and financial standing. Failure to comply triggers removal from the list.

7. Verification by installers: EPC contractors and consumers verify ALMM status at procurement by checking the current quarter’s list on mnre.gov.in/almm.

Real-World Example

A residential customer in Surat wants to install a 3 kW rooftop solar system under PM Surya Ghar. The customer receives quotes from three MNRE-empanelled vendors. Each vendor proposes different module brands, and the customer cross-checks the options against a comparison of Gujarat’s top panel manufacturers before shortlisting.

Vendor A proposes Brand X 540 Wp mono PERC modules. Vendor B proposes Brand Y 550 Wp TOPCon modules. Vendor C proposes Brand Z 530 Wp modules at a lower price.

The customer (or their installer) checks mnre.gov.in/almm and finds:

• Brand X: Listed in current quarter’s ALMM, List I, model X-540M confirmed.
• Brand Y: Listed in current quarter’s ALMM, List I, model Y-550T confirmed.
• Brand Z: Not listed in current quarter’s ALMM.

The customer eliminates Vendor C because non-ALMM modules would invalidate the Rs 78,000 central subsidy available in Surat. Between Vendor A and B, the customer evaluates efficiency, warranty, and price. Both modules are ALMM-compliant, so subsidy eligibility is preserved regardless of choice. The customer selects Vendor B’s TOPCon modules for their higher efficiency and lower temperature coefficient, suitable for Surat’s hot climate.

This example shows how ALMM functions as a minimum quality filter, while still allowing consumers to choose between compliant options based on technical and economic preferences.

Technical Specifications / Benchmarks

Benefits / Advantages

• Quality assurance: ALMM ensures that subsidised projects use modules tested to international standards, reducing failure rates and warranty claims.
• Consumer confidence: Homeowners can trust that ALMM-listed modules meet minimum performance and safety benchmarks.
• Lender confidence: Banks prefer ALMM-listed modules, improving loan availability for solar projects.
• Manufacturing upgrade: ALMM criteria push Indian manufacturers to invest in better equipment and processes.
• Subsidy protection: Using ALMM modules preserves subsidy eligibility, saving consumers Rs 40,000 to Rs 78,000 per installation.
• Market transparency: The public ALMM list creates transparency, allowing buyers to verify claims independently.
• Fraud prevention: ALMM makes it harder for unscrupulous vendors to sell counterfeit or substandard modules under government schemes.

Limitations / Drawbacks

• Quarterly lag: New manufacturers or models may wait months for ALMM listing, delaying project timelines.
• Removal risk: A manufacturer removed from ALMM mid-project can create procurement headaches and subsidy uncertainty.
• Not a performance guarantee: ALMM certifies compliance with standards, not long-term energy yield or degradation rate. Some ALMM-listed modules perform better than others over 25 years.
• Limited to modules: ALMM does not cover inverters, mounting structures, or cables. Inverters instead fall under a separate MNRE-empanelled list and standards covered in solar inverter regulations and BIS/IEC compliance. Other quality mechanisms apply to balance-of-system components.
• Bureaucratic process: Application and renewal involve extensive documentation, which can be burdensome for smaller manufacturers.
• Price premium: ALMM-listed modules from established brands may cost 5-10% more than non-listed alternatives, though the gap is narrowing.

Comparison Section

Applications

• Residential rooftop solar (PM Surya Ghar): ALMM is mandatory for all subsidised residential installations.
• Agricultural solar (PM KUSUM): Solar pumps and decentralised plants must use ALMM-listed modules.
• Central rooftop programme: Commercial and institutional projects receiving central CFA (Central Financial Assistance) require ALMM compliance.
• SECI tenders: Most utility-scale tenders specify ALMM-listed modules.
• State DISCOM tenders: Frequently require ALMM listing, alongside DISCOM empanelment, for projects with state subsidy.
• Private commercial projects: Often specify ALMM for bankability even when not subsidised.
• CPSU projects: Central public sector solar projects typically mandate ALMM.

Industry Standards & Regulations

ALMM operates within a framework of national and international standards.

• MNRE ALMM Procedure 2019 (as amended): Defines the application process, eligibility criteria, and compliance requirements.
• IEC 61215:2021: Design qualification and type approval for crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic modules.
• IEC 61730:2016: Safety qualification for photovoltaic modules.
• BIS Certification Scheme: Bureau of Indian Standards operates the certification programme that underpins ALMM eligibility.
• ISO 9001: Quality management system certification required for ALMM applicants.
• MNRE Office Memorandums: Periodic circulars updating ALMM criteria, adding new requirements, or addressing specific compliance issues. EPC teams tracking multiple overlapping notifications often keep a broader MNRE and DCR compliance guide on hand alongside the ALMM list itself.

India-Specific Context

India’s solar market is unique in its scale and regulatory complexity. ALMM was designed specifically for this context.

Manufacturing growth: Indian solar module manufacturing capacity has expanded from under 10 GW in 2020 to over 50 GW by 2026, driven partly by ALMM and PLI incentives. Major ALMM-listed manufacturers include Adani Solar, Waaree Energies, Vikram Solar, Tata Power Solar, RenewSys, Premier Energies, and Goldi Solar.

State variation: While ALMM is a central list, states may impose additional requirements. Gujarat’s GEDA, for example, requires ALMM compliance plus state-specific documentation for PM Surya Ghar.

WTO compliance: ALMM is structured to comply with WTO obligations. Unlike the earlier broad DCR provisions struck down in 2016, ALMM is a quality-based eligibility framework open to qualified foreign manufacturers.

Consumer awareness: Many Indian solar buyers are first-time purchasers. ALMM simplifies quality verification by providing an authoritative government-approved list.

Future Trends

ALMM is evolving alongside India’s solar manufacturing ambitions.

Technology expansion: ALMM is expanding to cover emerging technologies including heterojunction (HJT), tandem cells, and perovskite-silicon hybrids as they reach commercial scale.

Cell listing growth: List II (solar cells) is gaining importance as Indian cell manufacturing expands under the PLI scheme. Integrated cell-to-module manufacturers will dominate future ALMM updates.

Stringent quality criteria: MNRE is considering additional testing requirements including potential-induced degradation (PID) resistance, salt mist testing for coastal areas, and enhanced thermal cycling.

Digital verification: QR codes and blockchain-based verification systems are being piloted to allow instant ALMM status confirmation via smartphone.

Export alignment: As Indian manufacturers export more, ALMM criteria may align more closely with international standards like IEC 61215-1:2021 and UL 1703.

Common Mistakes & Misconceptions

• Checking only manufacturer name: Each model variant must be separately listed. A manufacturer on ALMM does not mean every model they make is approved.
• Using outdated ALMM list: The list is updated quarterly. A product listed last year may not be currently listed.
• Confusing BIS with ALMM: BIS is testing certification; ALMM is the broader eligibility list. BIS is necessary but not sufficient for ALMM.
• Procuring non-ALMM for subsidised projects: Subsidy is denied if non-ALMM modules are installed. This mistake costs consumers Rs 40,000 to Rs 78,000.
• Mixing ALMM and non-ALMM modules: Using even one non-ALMM module in a subsidised project may invalidate the entire subsidy claim.
• Ignoring ALMM updates between procurement and installation: The list at procurement may differ from the list at installation. Recheck before finalising.
• Assuming ALMM equals best quality: ALMM is a minimum standard. Some non-ALMM modules may have superior specifications, but they cannot be used in subsidised projects.

Key Takeaways

• ALMM is MNRE’s official list of approved solar modules and manufacturers for government-subsidised projects.
• Listing is mandatory for PM Surya Ghar, PM KUSUM, SECI tenders, and most central rooftop programmes.
• ALMM eligibility requires BIS certification under IEC 61215 and IEC 61730, plus manufacturing capacity and quality system criteria.
• The list is updated quarterly at mnre.gov.in/almm. Always verify the current quarter’s version.
• ALMM and BIS are related but distinct: BIS certifies the product; ALMM lists the manufacturer and model.
• For private non-subsidised projects, ALMM is optional but commonly used as a bankability indicator.
• Check specific model numbers, not just manufacturer names, when verifying ALMM status.
• Indian manufacturing capacity under ALMM has expanded to over 50 GW, covering Mono PERC, TOPCon, and HJT technologies.

Related Glossary Terms

• BIS for Solar Modules
• IEC 61215 Standard
• IEC 61730 Standard
• MNRE
• Mono PERC
• TOPCon Solar Panel
• HJT Solar Panel
• Tier-1 Solar Panel
• PM Surya Ghar Yojana
• PM KUSUM
• DCR
• Non-DCR Solar
• PID / Anti-PID
• Bifacial Solar Panel

Related Resources

• How to Choose Solar Modules
• Mono PERC vs TOPCon vs HJT
• Solar Products
• Residential Solar
• Commercial Solar
• PM Surya Ghar Complete Guide
• Solar Panel Efficiency
• Complete Guide to Solar Installation in Gujarat

Sources & References

• MNRE ALMM Portal: mnre.gov.in/almm
• MNRE ALMM Procedure 2019 (as amended)
• BIS Certification Scheme for Solar PV Modules
• IEC 61215:2021 Design Qualification
• IEC 61730:2016 Safety Qualification
• MNRE Office Memorandums on ALMM updates
• BloombergNEF Tier-1 Module Maker List
• PVEL Module Scorecard Reports