Introduction
When people compare solar quotations, they usually focus on module wattage, efficiency, price and warranty. In 2026, another question deserves equal attention: do the proposed modules and the cells inside them meet the rules that apply to the project?
India's Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, or ALMM, now covers both solar PV modules and solar PV cells. The distinction matters for homeowners, apartment associations, commercial buyers, factories and EPC teams because the applicable requirement changes with the project type, grid arrangement, scheme and commissioning date.
Quick Answer: What Is the Current ALMM List-II Rule?
ALMM List-II is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's approved list of solar PV cell models and manufacturers. Under MNRE's current clarification, net-metering and open-access renewable-energy projects commissioned on or before Dec 31, 2026 are exempt from List-II compliance, but applicable List-I requirements for solar PV modules still continue. Projects commissioned after this transition window must comply with List-II wherever the ALMM rules apply.
The exemption is not a general waiver for every solar project, and it does not relax Domestic Content Requirement rules under schemes such as PM Surya Ghar. Behind-the-meter projects and government projects also have separate conditions. Buyers should therefore identify the project category before finalising a module brand or signing a purchase order.
What Are ALMM List-I and ALMM List-II?
ALMM stands for Approved List of Models and Manufacturers. MNRE introduced the framework to support manufacturing traceability, protect long-term consumer interests and improve confidence in equipment used for covered solar projects.
List-I covers solar PV module models and their manufacturers. It answers: "Is this exact module model from this manufacturing facility enlisted for eligible use?"
List-II covers solar PV cell models and their manufacturers. It answers: "Are the cells used inside the module sourced from an enlisted cell model and manufacturing facility where this requirement applies?"
The first ALMM list for solar PV cells was issued on Jul 31, 2025 and has since been revised. Because both lists are updated, a brand name alone is not enough. Procurement teams should match the exact manufacturer, facility and model code against the latest MNRE list.
What Changed in the 2026 ALMM List-II Rules?
MNRE did not grant a blanket extension of List-II. It instead provided a limited transition window for specified net-metering and open-access projects, followed by a detailed clarification on Aug 4, 2026 .
Net-Metering and Open-Access Projects
A net-metering or open-access renewable-energy project commissioned within the current transition window can use the List-II exemption. The clarification states that this exemption applies irrespective of whether the project was initiated before or after the July transition order, and no separate application on the DCR portal is a prerequisite for this exemption. List-I compliance for solar PV modules still applies wherever required. The term "net-metering" in the clarification also covers arrangements such as gross metering, net billing, net feed-in, virtual net metering and group net metering. It excludes behind-the-meter connections.
Projects commissioned after the transition deadline should plan for both module and cell compliance wherever ALMM applies. For projects already under development, the commissioning schedule and permitted equipment-substitution process now have direct procurement importance.
Behind-the-Meter Projects
Behind-the-meter solar is treated differently. According to the current clarification, ALMM List-I and List-II do not apply to behind-the-meter plants used solely for captive consumption by non-government consumers or groups of consumers.
For behind-the-meter projects owned by government entities or public-sector enterprises, ALMM-listed modules are required. List-II is exempt within the transition window, while both List-I and List-II apply after that window.
This distinction is especially relevant to industrial buyers in Chennai and Tamil Nadu. A factory's captive rooftop plant without grid interaction should not automatically be assessed under the same ALMM pathway as a net-metered commercial rooftop or an open-access project.
Rooftop Solar on Government Buildings
Government-building projects need a contract-specific review. For projects awarded through bidding, List-II applicability can depend on the bid-submission date and the tender conditions. For non-bid government rooftop projects using net metering or open access, the commissioning transition described above applies.
The safe approach is to review the tender, award date, grid arrangement and commissioning schedule together rather than relying on a general statement that all government rooftops are either covered or exempt.
Does ALMM List-II Affect Solar Subsidy Eligibility?
ALMM and DCR are connected in procurement discussions, but they are not the same rule. ALMM identifies approved models and manufacturers for covered project categories. DCR requires domestic manufacture of specified components when a particular government scheme or programme imposes that condition. MNRE has expressly clarified that ALMM orders do not relax DCR provisions.
For a homeowner claiming support under PM Surya Ghar, the practical test is therefore not limited to whether a module appears in ALMM List-I. The selected system must also satisfy the scheme's current DCR, vendor, portal, inspection and documentation requirements.
The clarification provides a specific List-II exemption for residential net-metering consumers or residential-building projects using the "Give It Up Subsidy" option under PM Surya Ghar. The exemption continues until Mar 31, 2027 when the application is made through the national portal. Applicable List-I compliance still remains.
Before selecting equipment, homeowners should review the current scheme rules and the PM Surya Ghar guide for Tamil Nadu rather than assuming that an ALMM exemption automatically confirms subsidy eligibility.
ALMM List-I vs List-II vs DCR: The Difference in Plain English
| Requirement | What it checks |
|---|---|
| ALMM List-I | Solar PV module model and manufacturer. |
| ALMM List-II | Solar PV cell model and manufacturer used inside the module. |
| DCR | Domestic manufacturing requirements under applicable government schemes. |
ALMM List-I checks the solar module model and manufacturer.
ALMM List-II checks the solar cell model and manufacturer used inside the module.
DCR checks whether the required modules and cells are domestically manufactured under the rules of a specific scheme.
A project may need one, two or all three checks. The answer depends on whether the project is subsidised, government-assisted, net-metered, open access, behind the meter or commissioned within a protected transition category.
This is why "ALMM approved" should never be treated as a complete procurement answer. The EPC contractor should state which list, exact model, manufacturing facility and project rule the claim refers to.
Will ALMM List-II Increase Solar Project Cost?
There is no fixed government-prescribed "ALMM premium" per watt. Any cost effect is market-driven and project-specific. List-II can influence project economics through: Eligible cell and module availability Supplier capacity and delivery lead times The need to change a proposed module before commissioning Traceability, documentation and compliance administration Commercial risk if non-compliant equipment affects approval, grid connection or scheme eligibility
For residential buyers, the lowest module price is not automatically the lowest total project cost. A quotation should be compared on installed system price, applicable subsidy, equipment eligibility, warranty, expected generation, installation quality and after-sales support.
For commercial and industrial projects, procurement documents should state the required ALMM status and provide a controlled process for substitutions. A last-minute change in cell or module model can affect design approvals, delivery timing and the project's financial model.
A capable solar company in Chennai should explain the equipment pathway before procurement, not after material reaches the site.
ALMM Compliance Checklist for Chennai and Tamil Nadu Buyers
Before approving a solar quotation or purchase order, ask the EPC team to confirm:
- Is the project net-metered, open access, behind the meter or government-procured?
- What is the planned commissioning date, and which transition rule applies?
- Is the exact module model and manufacturing facility present in the latest List-I?
- If List-II applies, are the exact cell model and cell-manufacturing facility enlisted?
- Does a subsidy or government scheme impose a separate DCR condition?
- Will invoices, serial numbers, datasheets, declarations and portal records be retained?
- Does the contract require written approval before an equipment substitution?
Buyers planning solar panel installation in Tamil Nadu should also assess roof condition, usable area, electrical design, grid approvals, generation estimates and warranty support. ALMM compliance is essential where applicable, but it is one part of a complete technical and commercial review.
How to Verify ALMM Status Before Buying Solar Panels
- Use the official MNRE ALMM resource centre and download the latest List-I and List-II documents. Search the exact model number. Do not rely only on the brand or manufacturer name.
Confirm the listed manufacturing facility. Enlistment is tied to stated models and facilities, not simply a company's marketing identity.
Check the list or revision date. A saved screenshot or old PDF may not reflect the latest addition, expiry or change.
Map the equipment to the project category. Net metering, open access, behind-the-meter use and scheme participation can produce different answers.
Obtain written confirmation from the EPC provider. The proposal should identify the module model, manufacturer, List-I status, cell source where relevant and any DCR requirement.
For larger commercial or industrial systems, the same check should be built into technical due diligence for PV solar integration services, not left until commissioning.
What the Rules Mean for Different Solar Buyers
Homeowners: Check List-I, PM Surya Ghar conditions and DCR eligibility before paying an advance. Do not choose a panel only from an online price comparison.
Apartments and resident associations: Confirm whether the system uses individual, group, virtual or another metering arrangement, and document the applicable approval route.
Commercial properties: Align the module order with the commissioning plan, particularly when using net metering or open access.
Factories: First establish whether the plant is behind the meter or interacts with the grid. That classification can materially change the ALMM analysis.
Conclusion
ALMM List-II is not merely another label on a solar panel. It is a cell-level procurement and compliance check that can affect equipment selection, documentation, commissioning and eligibility for covered projects.
The most important 2026 takeaway is that net-metering and open-access projects have a limited List-II transition window, while List-I obligations continue. Behind-the-meter non-government captive projects are treated differently, and DCR remains an independent scheme requirement. Because MNRE updates the lists and issues clarifications, every project should be checked against the latest official documents before equipment is ordered. Viryasys Technologies can support homeowners and businesses with site assessment, system design, equipment planning and solar-project execution through its Solar Company in Chennai team.
