MNRE Extends ALMM Deadline to 6 Months amid Disruptions from COVID-19

By Manu Tayal/ Updated On Wed, Apr 8th, 2020

In a series of providing relief to the renewable energy firms which are facing a new range of challenges presented by coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadlines for the approved list of models and manufacturers (ALMM) i.e. both List-I for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and List-II for solar PV cells by next 6 months.

Renewable Energy Standardisation Cell

Earlier, the last date for enlistment for both ALMM List-I and ALMM List-II was March 31, 2020, which has been now extended to September 30, 2020.

In a letter announcing the extension, MNRE stated that “due to temporary disruptions due to COVID-19 epidemic and the current lockdown and the prevailing situation due to such epidemic, it has been decided with the approval of MNRE & Power Minister to extend the effective dates for ALMM List-I (solar PV modules) and ALMM List-II (solar PV cells) by six months.”

Earlier in January 2019, MNRE had issued an order aimed at ensuring the reliability of solar PV manufacturers and protect the consumers’ interests

The order provides for the enlistment of eligible models and manufacturers of solar PV cells and modules complying with the BIS Standards and publishes the same in a list called the ALMM.

As per the order, List I includes models and manufacturers of solar PV modules and List II specifies models and manufacturers of solar PV cells and the effective dates for operationalizing both the lists was scheduled as of March 31, 2020.

The order further stipulated that all government projects or projects which are under government programs installed across the country including projects set up to sale power to the government will have to source their modules from models and manufacturers included in ALMM List I (for modules). For the deployment of solar modules after the effective date (i.e. March 31, 2020), the solar PV module manufacturers will have to mandatorily source solar cells from the manufacturers enlisted in ALMM List-II (for cells).