Quick Facts
What BIS is
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) is India’s national standards body, established in 1986 under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act. BIS develops Indian standards (IS standards), operates product certification schemes, conducts testing and inspection, and serves as India’s representative in international standards bodies including IEC and ISO.
For solar modules and components, BIS is the regulatory gatekeeper that ensures products sold in India meet quality, safety, and performance norms. BIS certifications under IS 14286 (design qualification) and IS 16077 (safety) form the technical foundation of India’s solar quality framework, and feed into MNRE’s broader ALMM listing.
Key BIS standards for solar
| BIS Standard | Equivalent IEC Standard | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| IS 14286 | IEC 61215 | Crystalline silicon module design qualification and type approval |
| IS 16077 | IEC 61730 | PV module safety qualification |
| IS 16826 | IEC 62804 | PID resistance testing |
| IS 16221 | IEC 62109 | Safety of inverters used in PV systems |
| IS 13779 | n/a | Electromechanical electricity meters |
| IS 16444 | n/a | Smart meters |
| IS 9968 | IEC 60364 | Electrical installation safety |
| IS 732 | IEC 60364 | Wiring rules for electrical installations |
BIS adopts IEC standards through a national harmonisation process. The Indian standards may have minor modifications to reflect Indian climatic conditions, manufacturing capabilities, and regulatory framework.
How BIS certification works
The process involves four steps.
Application: Manufacturer applies to BIS through the BIS Conformity Assessment Scheme. Documentation includes manufacturing capability, product specifications, and quality control systems.
Testing: A BIS-recognised laboratory conducts the required tests. For solar modules, this includes IEC 61215 (IS 14286) design qualification, IEC 61730 (IS 16077) safety, and IEC 62804 (IS 16826) PID resistance.
Factory audit: BIS may conduct factory visits to verify manufacturing processes match the certified product.
Certification grant: After successful testing and verification, BIS issues a certificate covering specific product models and manufacturing locations.
The certificate is valid for a defined period (typically 2 to 5 years), with continued compliance verified through periodic audits and re-testing. Major product design changes require fresh certification.
BIS and ALMM relationship
BIS provides the technical certification basis for ALMM listing. To be on ALMM, a manufacturer must have valid BIS certifications for the specific solar module models proposed. Without BIS, ALMM is not possible.
ALMM adds further requirements beyond BIS:
Manufacturing capacity: Demonstrated ability to manufacture at scale, with capacity reported in MW per year.
Quality systems: ISO 9001 or equivalent quality management systems.
Manufacturing location: Recognition of Indian manufacturing (with policy preference at different times).
Financial standing: Sufficient financial strength to warrant the modules and stand behind warranties.
Application: Formal application to MNRE with relevant documentation.
A product can have BIS certification without ALMM listing if the manufacturer has not applied or does not meet additional MNRE criteria. However, an ALMM-listed product must have BIS certification.
Indian solar testing infrastructure
The primary BIS-recognised laboratory for solar in India is NISE (National Institute of Solar Energy), based in Gurgaon, Haryana. NISE conducts the full IS 14286 and IS 16077 test sequence.
Several private laboratories also have BIS recognition for specific tests. UL India, TUV Rheinland India, Intertek, and others have presence in major Indian cities.
International testing reports from TUV Rheinland, TUV SUD, Intertek, UL, and similar global laboratories are accepted by BIS for product certification when accompanied by appropriate documentation, simplifying the path for global manufacturers.
Where BIS applies
BIS-certified solar modules are required in:
ALMM listing: Mandatory.
Government-subsidised projects: Mandatory.
SECI tenders: Mandatory.
State DISCOM tenders: Generally mandatory.
PM Surya Ghar: Mandatory.
PM KUSUM: Mandatory.
Private and commercial projects: Optional but increasingly required by lenders for bankability.
For exports out of India, BIS is not directly required, though the underlying IEC certifications apply globally.
Common BIS questions for buyers
Verifying BIS certification: Ask the manufacturer for the BIS test certificate number and date. Cross-reference against the BIS website or third-party certification verification services.
Multiple model variants: BIS certifies specific product models. Different Wp ratings, cell technologies, or module dimensions typically need separate certifications.
Certificate validity: Check the certificate’s validity dates. An expired certificate does not provide current assurance.
Manufacturer name match: The BIS certificate is held by a specific manufacturer entity. Verify the entity matches the supplier on your purchase order.
Module serial number traceability: For each delivered module, the serial number should map to the relevant BIS-certified model. Flash test reports document the actual unit’s performance.
Common mistakes with BIS
Confusing BIS with ALMM. BIS is product testing; ALMM is broader manufacturer plus product eligibility.
Treating any BIS certification as sufficient. The specific model variants must be covered.
Using expired BIS certificates. Verify validity dates.
Skipping factory audit consideration. BIS may have visited the manufacturer, but the supplier’s specific manufacturing location should be on the certificate.
Forgetting that BIS for modules differs from BIS for inverters or batteries. Each product category has its own certification.
Best practices
Verify BIS certifications for all proposed solar modules and inverters at procurement stage.
Document certificate numbers, dates, and validity in procurement contracts.
For long projects, monitor BIS certification updates between procurement and installation.
For non-subsidised projects, consider BIS certification alongside BloombergNEF Tier 1 and PVEL scorecard for bankability assessment.
Subscribe to BIS notifications for changes to IS standards affecting solar.
Standards and references
BIS operates under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act 2016 (replacing the earlier 1986 Act). The Conformity Assessment Scheme covers solar modules and components. The official website is bis.gov.in. NISE’s website (nise.res.in) provides solar-specific testing details.
Related glossary terms
Key takeaways
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) is India’s national standards body that certifies solar modules and components to Indian and international standards. BIS testing under IS 14286 (equivalent to IEC 61215), IS 16077 (equivalent to IEC 61730), and IS 16826 (equivalent to IEC 62804) is mandatory for solar modules used in government-subsidised projects and forms the technical basis of MNRE’s ALMM listing. The certification process involves laboratory testing, factory verification, and ongoing compliance audits. BIS provides the technical quality assurance layer; ALMM adds further manufacturing and capacity criteria.