The Union government has decided to include solar cells in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) starting June 1, 2026, to strengthen domestic manufacturing. This move expands the ALMM’s scope, which previously included only solar modules, allowing manufacturers to import cells for module production in India.
Currently, the ALMM requires solar projects funded by central and state agencies to use India-made photovoltaic (PV) modules listed under ALMM. This policy was driven by local manufacturers seeking protection against cheap imports. With the new order, solar cells used in modules must also be sourced from ALMM-listed manufacturers by mid-2026. Non-compliance will lead to delisting of modules from ALMM.
India’s solar module manufacturing capacity stands at 77 GW as of mid-2024, while solar cell capacity is 8 GW. By 2026, these figures are expected to grow to 172 GW and 80 GW, respectively. This aligns with India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power generation capacity by 2030.
Industry leaders, including Tata Power and Waaree Energies, welcome the move, highlighting its potential to level the playing field for Indian manufacturers and boost the solar supply chain. Major players like Adani Solar and Reliance Industries are also expanding their integrated solar production capabilities in anticipation of the ALMM implementation.
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