MNRE Announces Draft of Quality Control Order for Solar Thermal Systems

The Order — Solar Thermal, Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2019 – will come into force a year after its publication in the Official Gazette.

To address and ensure quality of solar components across India’s solar power ecosystem, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has floated a draft quality control order for Solar Thermal Systems. The Standardization specifics are in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) guidelines.

The ministry has already announced the quality control order for Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) Systems.

According to the draft order, a manufacturer or seller of solar thermal systems will now have to register with BIS to obtain a Standard Mark. The order has also prohibited storage, sale, import or distribution of solar thermal systems by manufacturers or by any person on behalf of a manufacturer which does not bear the Standard Mark.

However, the manufacturers of solar thermal systems meant for exports are exempted from the requirement of applying for a Standard Mark from BIS. This means that the outbound products may or may not adhere to the specifications.

The Order is scheduled to come into force a year after its publication in the Official Gazette.

The order adds, that solar thermal systems which do not conform to the specified standard will have to be deformed beyond use and disposed of as scrap by the domestic manufacturer or by the representative of an overseas manufacturer.

In order to ensure compliance of the guidelines, MNRE can seek information along with sample of goods from the manufacturers on the systems any time. The ministry can also inspect the systems at any point in time. In cases of contravention, the ministry can also search and seize goods. In cases where the solar thermal systems are of varying size and rating, the goods will be grouped and granted series approval.

A sample of solar thermal systems of a registered user will be drawn from his manufacturing unit or from the market for ascertaining their conformity to the standards. The samples will be drawn at least once in two years for a product or series of products covered under the scope of registration granted.

The ministry has invited comments from the general public and the relevant stakeholders by 8 April 2019.

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