An industrial solar project can be technically ready while a compliance question remains: Do the proposed modules and cells meet the rules that apply to this project? BIS, DCR and ALMM are often discussed together, but they answer different questions.
For industrial buyers, the goal isn’t to collect labels. It’s to confirm that the equipment, project route and supporting documents all match the applicable requirements for ALMM compliance for solar projects.
This matters even more as MNRE continues to update the ALMM framework. Its current page lists an updated List-I for solar PV modules dated September 16, 2026, and the 10th revision of List-II for solar PV cells dated September 28, 2026.
Understanding what each requirement covers, when it applies and what to verify before procurement can make the path from project planning to clean-energy commissioning clearer.
BIS, DCR and ALMM: What Does Each One Cover?
The easiest way to understand the three requirements is to give each one a separate job. This distinction is also useful when reviewing ALMM compliance for solar projects during procurement.
▸ BIS: BIS’s February 2025 circular states that the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025 replaced the earlier 2017 compulsory-registration order. For crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules, the order references IS 14286 (Part 1):2023 and related standards.
▸ ALMM: The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers is maintained by MNRE. List-I covers solar PV modules, while List-II covers solar PV cells. MNRE states that models and manufacturers included in List-I are eligible for specified Government, Government-assisted, Government-scheme, Open Access and Net-Metering projects installed in India.
▸ DCR: MNRE’s 2025 clarification states that crystalline-silicon solar PV cells qualify as domestically manufactured only when they are manufactured in India using undiffused silicon wafers and all required cell-manufacturing processes are carried out in India.
So, the buyer is checking three different things: applicable product conformity, ALMM eligibility and domestic-content compliance where required. A clear industrial solar buyer’s guide should keep these checks separate, while solar procurement compliance should connect each requirement to the correct document.
This distinction also prevents a common procurement mistake: treating a certificate or approved-list entry as proof of every requirement. A module can have applicable BIS certification for solar modules while the project still needs a separate ALMM check.
Likewise, an ALMM-listed product doesn’t by itself establish that a DCR requirement has been met. The project team should, therefore, map each requirement to its own evidence before approving the equipment schedule. That simple separation makes reviews easier and gives procurement, engineering and project teams the same reference point during procurement.
When Does ALMM Compliance Apply to Industrial Solar Projects?
“Industrial project” alone doesn’t answer the ALMM question. MNRE’s framework identifies specific project categories, including Government Projects, Government-assisted Projects, projects under Government Schemes and Programmes, and applicable Open Access and Net-Metering projects. This makes the project route an important starting point for ALMM compliance for solar projects.
The project route, therefore, needs to be checked before the module schedule is approved. Its applicable scheme, tender conditions and commissioning timeline can affect which requirements apply. The MNRE ALMM List should then be checked against the requirements that apply to that project.
This is especially useful for industrial buyers working on open-access projects. Instead of assuming that every project follows the same rule, the project team can first identify its regulatory route and then check the current MNRE requirements for that route. This is a key consideration in industrial solar procurement, particularly where commercial solar projects have different procurement or project structures.
For tendered projects, bid conditions can also matter. MNRE documents can require bidders to use the latest applicable ALMM List-I and List-II published by the bid due date. That makes the project record, bid terms and current regulatory documents important parts of the compliance review. The same review can also help confirm the right solar module certification in India, applicable solar module quality standards, and whether DCR solar modules are required.
What Changed for ALMM List-II in 2026?
The major change is that ALMM now covers solar PV cells as well as modules. MNRE issued the first List-II for solar PV cells on July 31, 2025, and continues to revise it. The 10th revision is dated September 28, 2026. For ALMM compliance for solar projects, this means buyers need to consider both modules and cells where List-II applies.
For projects where List-II applies, buyers, therefore, need to look beyond the module model. They also need to verify the applicable cell requirement and supporting records. List-I and List-II are separate checks.
MNRE also issued a July 18, 2026 notice stating that there’s no blanket extension for List-II. It provides a limited window until December 31, 2026 for commissioning certain Net-Metering and Open Access renewable-energy projects, subject to the stated conditions.
The practical lesson is simple: Don’t rely on an old ALMM date or a general supplier statement. Check the MNRE list and the order that applies to the specific project.
What Should Industrial Buyers Verify Before Signing a Solar Contract?
For Enerparc and its industrial customers, a useful compliance review starts before the purchase order is final. These checks can help connect the documents to the equipment that’ll actually reach the site and support ALMM compliance for solar projects.
- Match the exact module model. Check the model proposed in the quotation against the current MNRE List-I where ALMM applies. Don’t rely only on the manufacturer’s name. This helps confirm the status of ALMM-approved solar modules and supports accurate solar module compliance in India.
- Record the ALMM revision. Keep the list date or revision used for the project review. This gives the team a clear reference later.
- Check the cell requirement. Where List-II applies, verify the relevant cell information against the current list and project rules. A List-I module check doesn’t replace this step. Where applicable, this should be reviewed alongside the domestic content requirement solar rules.
- Verify DCR evidence where required. Request the relevant DCR records and, where applicable, use the NISE DCR Verification Portal. NISE says its portal supports certificate verification, module traceability and cell-to-module mapping.
- Check BIS documentation. Request the applicable BIS registration or conformity evidence for the module and confirm that it covers the product being supplied.
- Match the delivered equipment. The model in the quotation, bill of materials, compliance records and delivered equipment should align. This final check links procurement paperwork to the physical installation.
Together, these checks create a clearer compliance trail without turning procurement into a last-minute document exercise.
Your Solar Project Is Moving Ahead. Is Your Compliance Check Ready?
BIS, DCR and ALMM shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable labels. Each addresses a different part of solar-project compliance, while applicability depends on the project route and current rules.
For industrial buyers, the useful next step is to identify the project’s applicable requirements early, verify the latest MNRE lists and BIS documentation, and keep evidence tied to the exact equipment being procured. As the solar sector changes, a clear compliance trail can support smoother project execution and help turn clean-energy plans into well-documented assets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is ALMM in solar panels?
ALMM means Approved List of Models and Manufacturers. MNRE maintains List-I for approved solar PV module models and manufacturers, while List-II covers solar PV cells. If your project falls under an applicable ALMM category, check the exact module or cell against the current MNRE list before procurement.
2. Is BIS certification mandatory for solar panels?
BIS certification is mandatory for solar panels covered by a government Quality Control Order. The 2025 Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order requires covered products to meet the applicable Indian Standard and bear the BIS Standard Mark under the prescribed certification scheme. Check the applicable BIS requirement before purchasing your modules.
3. How can I verify if a solar panel is DCR certified?
You can verify a DCR certificate through the NISE DCR Verification Portal. Enter the certificate number or panel number, or scan the QR code on the certificate. The portal lets you check the certificate and module details, helping you confirm that the DCR claim matches the equipment being supplied to your project.
4. Can we use non-DCR panels for commercial use?
Yes, non-DCR panels can be used for commercial projects when DCR is not required for that specific project or scheme. DCR applies to certain government-supported projects and programmes. For your commercial solar project, check the applicable scheme, procurement route and project conditions before deciding whether DCR-compliant modules are required.
5. What are the exemptions for solar projects from the ALMM List-II requirement?
MNRE has not provided a blanket exemption from ALMM List-II. In 2026, it provided a limited window until December 31, 2026, for certain Net-Metering and Open Access renewable-energy projects to be commissioned under stated conditions. Other project-specific clarifications may apply, so check the latest MNRE order before procurement.
