Quick Facts
What MNRE is
MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) is the Government of India’s central ministry responsible for policy formulation, scheme administration, and regulation of renewable energy. Established in 2006 as a successor to the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (1992), MNRE was the world’s first dedicated ministry for renewable energy.
MNRE’s portfolio covers solar, wind, biomass, small hydro, and emerging technologies including green hydrogen, ocean energy, and geothermal. Solar is the largest single sector by capacity and budget.
The ministry operates from Block 14, CGO Complex, New Delhi, and reports to the Cabinet through the Minister of New and Renewable Energy.
MNRE’s role in Indian solar
The ministry’s role spans policy, financing, manufacturing, and implementation.
Policy formulation: Sets the national framework for renewable energy targets, technology priorities, and integration with grid and rural energy.
Scheme administration: Runs flagship subsidy schemes including PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (residential rooftop), PM KUSUM (agriculture), the Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II, and various utility-scale incentives.
ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers): Maintains the official list of approved solar modules and manufacturers eligible for government-subsidised installations. ALMM is updated quarterly with new additions and removals.
PLI scheme: Administers the Production Linked Incentive scheme for high-efficiency solar PV modules. Two tranches (2021 and 2023) have allocated substantial subsidy for domestic manufacturing of modules, cells, wafers, and ingots.
Manufacturing development: Coordinates with industry on capacity expansion, technology transfer, and supply chain resilience.
International cooperation: Represents India in IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), ISA (International Solar Alliance), Mission Innovation, and bilateral renewable energy partnerships.
MNRE implementation agencies
SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India): MNRE’s implementation agency for utility-scale solar. SECI runs reverse-auction tenders for large solar projects, with developers bidding the lowest tariff at which they will build and operate. SECI also handles open-access solar procurements and acts as off-taker for many central solar projects.
IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency): MNRE’s financing arm. IREDA provides loans, refinancing, and equity support to renewable energy projects. It has historically focused on utility-scale solar and wind, with growing C&I and rooftop activity.
NISE (National Institute of Solar Energy): MNRE’s autonomous R&D institute, focused on solar technology research, testing, and standardisation.
SECI, IREDA, and NISE coordinate closely with MNRE on policy implementation. State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) such as GEDA, MEDA, RREC, KREDL handle on-the-ground delivery.
Key MNRE programmes
National Solar Mission: Launched in 2010 as part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change. Original target of 20 GW by 2022 was revised upward repeatedly. Current goal: 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, of which solar accounts for the largest share.
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (2024): Residential rooftop solar with subsidy up to Rs 78,000 per household, targeting 1 crore installations by FY 2027.
PM KUSUM (2019): Three components for solar in agriculture, including standalone pumps, solarised grid pumps, and decentralised plants on farmland.
Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II: The earlier framework for rooftop solar subsidy, now subsumed into PM Surya Ghar for residential and continuing for commercial and institutional segments.
PLI Scheme for solar modules: Production Linked Incentive for high-efficiency module manufacturing. First tranche of Rs 4,500 crore and second tranche of Rs 19,500 crore have substantially expanded Indian module manufacturing.
ALMM: The official approved list, with separate sub-lists for modules, cells, and other components.
National Hydrogen Mission: Green hydrogen production with renewable energy, including solar.
ALMM in detail
ALMM is the operational lever that connects MNRE’s policy framework to project execution. Solar modules used in government-subsidised projects must come from ALMM-listed manufacturers and models.
The list is maintained on the MNRE website (mnre.gov.in/almm) and updated quarterly. New manufacturer applications are evaluated through technical and financial review. Existing entries can be removed for non-compliance.
Compliance with ALMM is a contractual requirement in tenders run by SECI, NTPC, and state DISCOMs. Residential PM Surya Ghar installations must use ALMM modules. Commercial rooftop projects under MNRE subsidy must comply. Open-access and private commercial projects without subsidy are not bound by ALMM but often follow it for bankability.
MNRE and the broader policy ecosystem
MNRE works with several other government bodies on solar policy.
Ministry of Power: Sets electricity policy under the Electricity Act 2003. MNRE coordinates on grid integration, tariff structures, and renewable purchase obligations.
CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission): Sets tariffs for inter-state transactions and central generation. MNRE provides input but does not set tariffs.
CEA (Central Electricity Authority): Sets technical standards for grid connection. MNRE harmonises subsidy and approval norms with CEA’s technical framework.
State Governments: Implement many MNRE schemes through their State Nodal Agencies and DISCOMs.
NITI Aayog: Policy think tank that contributes to renewable energy strategy.
Common references and contact
MNRE official website: mnre.gov.in
PM Surya Ghar portal: pmsuryagrh.gov.in (now redirects to the unified national portal)
National Solar Rooftop Portal: solarrooftop.gov.in
ALMM list: mnre.gov.in/almm
SECI: seci.co.in
IREDA: ireda.in
NISE: nise.res.in
Email and grievance redressal channels are listed on the MNRE website.
Best practices for engaging with MNRE schemes
Use the official MNRE and state portals from the start. Going through informal channels often loses subsidy eligibility.
Verify ALMM listing for all modules and equipment used in subsidised projects. Compliance is mandatory.
Check empanelled vendor lists for the relevant scheme. Empanelment is required for subsidy disbursement under most programmes.
Stay current with MNRE notifications. ALMM updates, PLI announcements, and scheme guideline changes happen on the official website.
For large projects, engage SECI or IREDA early in the planning phase. Both can provide guidance on procurement and financing structures.
Related glossary terms
- PM Surya Ghar Yojana
- PM KUSUM
- DREBP
- ALMM
- National Solar Mission
- GEDA Gujarat
- State Nodal Agency
- CERC
- SERC
- Feed-in Tariff
Key takeaways
MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) is the Government of India’s central ministry for renewable energy, established in 2006 as the world’s first dedicated renewable energy ministry. It administers ALMM, PM Surya Ghar, PM KUSUM, the rooftop solar programme, the PLI scheme for solar manufacturing, and the National Solar Mission. MNRE works through SECI, IREDA, NISE, and state nodal agencies to implement India’s transition to renewable energy, with a current national target of 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030.