With Norms In Hand, MNRE Aims To Standardize PV Products

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued the “Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025” to set new standards for solar products across India. In its latest notification, the MNRE mandated compliance with Indian Standards (IS) and minimum efficiency criteria for a wide range of solar technologies. The order will come into force 180 days after its publication.

MNRE’s latest move aims to build a sustainable solar ecosystem that prioritizes quality, performance, and consumer protection. It mandates BIS compliance to oversee product quality. MNRE has also specified certain goods and articles that must conform to the corresponding Indian Standards. These articles must bear the ‘Standard Mark’ under a license from the Bureau as per Scheme-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Last year, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), gave an important order that was long awaited by the industry. It issued an official Quality Control Order for Solar Water Heaters. With this, India joins a select group of countries that mandate a standard for Solar Water Heaters. Called the Solar Thermal Systems, Devices and Components (Quality Control) Order, 2024, the order is to come into force on the expiry of one hundred and eighty days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, issued on Oct 8. So within this Financial year, we understand. MNRE’s latest order would help build a robust, sustainable solar ecosystem that prioritizes quality, performance, and consumer protection.

Condition For Granting  License

The notification outlines the procedure for granting a license, “To grant a license under this Order, a condition is introduced to set minimum efficiency at Standard Test Conditions (STC) as mentioned below.”

• Solar PV Modules – Minimum efficiency of 18% for Monocrystalline Silicon & Thin-Film; 17% for Polycrystalline Silicon.
• Power Inverters & Storage Batteries – Ensuring superior performance and compliance with Indian Standards (IS).
• Certification via BIS—Products must be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), ensuring quality and reliability.
• Global Impact – While export goods are exempt, the focus on quality will enhance India’s position as a global solar leader.

The notification also lays down Indian standards as mentioned below:

• Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules (Si wafer-based).
• Thin-Film Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules.
• Storage Batteries – Secondary Cells and Batteries for Solar Photovoltaic Applications.
• Power inverters used in photovoltaic power systems.
• Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters.
• Safety requirements for power converters used in photovoltaic power systems, particularly inverters.

The notification added, “The latest version of the Indian Standard, including the amendments issued thereto and notified by the Bureau from time to time, would be applicable from the date of such notification.”