ALMM List for Solar Panels 2026 — List-I & List-II Guide for C&I and HT Consumers

The ALMM list is the quality and origin framework set by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) that determines which solar panels are eligible for government-linked procurement and subsidy schemes in India. For commercial and industrial (C&I) buyers — whether evaluating a Net metered rooftop system, a ground-mounted plant, or an open access arrangement — ALMM compliance is now a procurement-critical requirement, not just an afterthought.

The rules tightened significantly in June 2026, when ALMM List-II introduced a mandatory domestic cell sourcing requirement. Any C&I buyer entering a new PPA, EPC contract, or open access arrangement after this date must verify that their proposed panels meet both List-I and List-II requirements. This guide explains what ALMM means in a C&I context, what changed in 2026, and what to build into your procurement checklist before signing any solar contract.

What Is the ALMM List?

The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is a centralised database maintained by MNRE that specifies which solar panel models and manufacturers have passed India’s quality and compliance standards for PV products.

For all RE power users and consumers, ALMM compliance is relevant across multiple procurement pathways:

• Net-metered/Captive rooftop and ground-mounted installations procured under any government scheme or DISCOM framework
• Open access solar projects where the generating plant needs to qualify for MNRE-aligned incentives or state-level exemptions
• PSU and government entity procurement where ALMM List-II compliance is typically a mandatory tender condition
• RESCO and third-party PPA on grid arrangements where the developer’s compliance directly affects your long-term tariff security and regulatory risk

Even for purely private C&I installations with no direct subsidy, specifying ALMM-compliant panels is increasingly standard practice for bankability, insurance, and future-proofing against policy-linked resale or refinancing requirements.

How to Access the MNRE ALMM List

The official ALMM list is published on the MNRE website. Here is how to verify a panel model:

1. Go to mnre.gov.in and navigate to the “Solar Energy” or “Renewable Energy” section.
2. Locate the ALMM subsection, which hosts the current approved list.
3. The list is periodically revised. As of April 2026, the 7th revision is the operative document.
4. Download the PDF or Excel file and search for the specific panel model your EPC contractor or developer has proposed.
5. Cross-check both the manufacturer name and the exact model number. A brand appearing on the list does not guarantee that every model from that brand is approved. Verify the model entry specifically.

For large C&I procurement with multiple panel SKUs across a project, this verification step should be delegated to your technical due diligence team or an independent engineer (IE), not left to the EPC contractor alone.

ALMM List-I vs ALMM List-II: What C&I Buyers Need to Know

The ALMM framework now comprises two distinct lists:

For a C&I buyer reviewing an EPC proposal or PPA term sheet, both lists are now simultaneously relevant. A panel that appears on List-I but uses imported cells from a non-certified source loses its subsidy and scheme eligibility from 1^st June 2026 onwards.

Why MNRE Introduced ALMM List-II in 2026

ALMM List-II is a direct enforcement mechanism for India’s Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) policy. For several years, a large share of the solar cells used inside panels manufactured by Indian module makers were imported from China. ALMM List-II closes this gap by restricting scheme-eligible panels to those using cells sourced exclusively from MNRE-certified domestic manufacturers.

As of May 2026, MNRE has approved approximately 30 GW of domestic solar cell manufacturing capacity under List-II. Approved manufacturers include Adani Solar, Waaree Energies, Reliance New Energy (HJT cells), RenewSys (TOPCon cells), and Jupiter Solartech, among others.

The List-II enforcement was deferred multiple times after its initial announcement in 2023. The June 1, 2026 date is the confirmed enforcement deadline, and MNRE has signalled no further postponement. C&I buyers with projects in procurement or under EPC negotiation should treat this deadline as fixed when building project timelines.

ALMM Compliance in C&I Procurement: The Risk Chain

C&I solar projects involve larger capital commitments, longer contract tenures, and more complex regulatory touchpoints. The consequences of ALMM non-compliance are proportionally more significant:

• EPC contracts: If your EPC contractor specifies a non-compliant panel, any government-linked incentive or DISCOM exemption tied to your project may be disqualified.
• Open access projects: State-level open access regulations increasingly reference MNRE ALMM compliance as a condition for generation-side approval. A non-compliant plant can face complications at the SERC or DISCOM stage.
• RESCO / third-party PPA: If your developer is building under a scheme that requires ALMM compliance and they use a de-listed or List-II non-compliant panel, your contracted tariff security and the developer’s project financing could both be affected.
• PSU and government buyer tenders: ALMM List-I compliance is a standard tender eligibility condition. Panels found non-compliant after award can trigger contract termination clauses.
• De-listing risk: If a panel model is removed from ALMM List-I between procurement and commissioning, eligibility is lost. This risk window is especially relevant for projects with long EPC timelines.

Five Clauses to Build Into Your EPC or PPA Contract

Before executing any C&I solar agreement, ensure the following are addressed in writing:

1. ALMM List-I confirmation: The EPC contractor must warrant, with revision number and model entry referenced, that all panels meet current ALMM List-I requirements at the time of supply.
2. List-II cell sourcing warranty: The contractor must confirm in writing that the proposed panels use solar cells sourced from MNRE-certified List-II manufacturers.
3. De-listing indemnity: If a panel model is de-listed between contract execution and commissioning, the EPC contractor must bear the cost of substitution with a compliant alternative at no additional charge to the buyer.
4. Inspection and verification right: The buyer or an Independent Engineer should have the right to verify ALMM compliance at the point of panel delivery to site, not just at the proposal stage.
5. Revision tracking obligation: The EPC contractor should be contractually obligated to flag any MNRE ALMM list updates that affect the specified panels during the project execution period.

Exemptions Under ALMM List-II: What Applies to C&I Projects

Not all C&I projects are subject to the June 2026 enforcement:

Exempt:

• Projects where the last bid submission date was on or before August 31, 2025
• Net metering and Open Access projects commissioned before June 1, 2026
• All Off-Grid projects
• PM Suryaghar Yojana for small household solar rooftop projects

Not exempt:

• Any new C&I installation, open access project, or captive plant applied for or commissioned after June 1, 2026
• PSU and government tender projects with bid submission after August 31, 2025

C&I buyers with legacy projects already commissioned are unaffected. Those in active procurement or under EPC negotiation for new capacity must assume full List-II compliance is required.

For a detailed breakdown of open access compliance at the commercial and industrial scale, see our guide on open access solar in Maharashtra.

Will ALMM List-II Increase C&I Solar Costs?

With approximately 30 GW of List-II certified cell manufacturing capacity already operational by mid-2026, there is no meaningful supply constraint affecting the C&I market.

For utility-scale and large C&I projects, the incremental cost impact of List-II compliance is estimated at under ~15-25% of total EPC cost, well within normal procurement variance.

The more material cost risk for C&I buyers is not List-II compliance itself, but panel de-listing during project execution, which is a timeline and contract management issue, not a supply pricing issue.

The Bottom Line for C&I and HT Buyers

ALMM compliance is a procurement-critical issue for any consumer entering a new solar arrangement in 2026. The framework now has two layers viz. List-I for the finished panel, List-II for the cells inside it and both must be verified before contract execution, not after commissioning.

The financial and regulatory exposure from non-compliance at the C&I scale is significant: disqualified incentives, open access complications, EPC contract disputes, and stranded project financing. A 30-minute verification exercise at the procurement stage eliminates most of this risk.