The recent reimposition of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) regulation by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has once again raised questions for existing and aspiring solar manufacturers on the elaborate process for getting ALMM-enlisted.

The ALMM mandate is back in force from April 1, 2024, clearing the confusion caused over the exemption of open access and private rooftop solar power projects in MNRE’s previous order.

Following the reimposition order, MNRE added 4.1 GW of new solar module capacity to the ALMM.

Mercom India delves into the important points solar manufacturers must consider while applying for ALMM enlistment or renewal.

Application Fees

The application fees for solar module/cell enlistment are as follows:

If an applicant is already enlisted for one model and applies for enlistment of another:

Manufacturers can withdraw their applications before factory inspection with a refund of 90% of the application fee.

Inspection Fees

Applicants also must pay the inspection charges of the applicant’s premises. The application fees are as follows:

For manufacturing sites located in SAARC countries:

For manufacturing sites located in non-SAARC countries:

If the applicant has multiple manufacturing sites or sources finished products from other manufacturers and sells them under their brand:

The Ministry has provided an exemption from factory inspection in the case of enlistment of additional models in the ALMM list, similar to those already enlisted by the applicant but with a lower voltage. However, factory inspection will be done if the wattage of models proposed to be enlisted is higher than that of already enlisted models.

Separate inspection fees are required for preliminary and final inspections. All inspection fees should be paid to NISE.

Co-branding

Inspection may not be required if an ALMM enlisted model of a brand owner is manufactured under a co-branding arrangement in the ALMM enlisted manufacturing facility of another Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) using the same manufacturing process and bill of materials.

The exception will also apply if an ALMM enlisted model of an OEM is manufactured under a co-branding arrangement in the OEM’s ALMM enlisted manufacturing facility using the same manufacturing process and bill of materials but bears the brand name of another ALMM enlisted manufacturer.

Both the brand owner and the OEM must be enlisted in ALMM. The brand owner should submit the application to MNRE with a copy of the agreement between the OEM and the brand owner.

The agreement should specify the details of the brand owner and the OEM and the manufacturing capacity in MW/annum for which the co-branding arrangement has been executed. Additionally, the agreement should include the date of execution and the date until the agreement is valid.

If the brand owner wishes to enter into co-branding arrangements with different OEMs, they must submit separate applications for each OEM. Each application should be accompanied by the corresponding agreement between the brand owner and the OEM and the application fee of ₹1,000 (~$12).

The brand owner must provide an undertaking that the label of each model must display the name of the brand Owner and OEM, as well as the location of the OEM’s manufacturing unit where the model was produced. The application fee remains the same regardless of the capacity specified in the OEM and brand owner agreement.

The co-branded models will be listed under the brand owner’s name in addition to their existing entries on the ALMM List.

The ALMM enlistment of co-branded models will be valid until two years from the enlistment date, the date of expiration of the validity of the agreement between the brand owner and OEM, or the date of expiration of any ALMM enlisted model of the brand owner, applicable only in cases not requiring inspection.

Quality Checks

Quality assurance procedures entail random quality checks and tests on enlisted models and manufacturers. These checks may include inspections of manufacturing facilities. If enlisted manufacturers fail to meet standards or comply with regulations, they will be removed from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).

Additionally, inspections and audits of production and sales records may be conducted if necessary to address any complaints. Enlisted units must reimburse the costs incurred for such inspections or audits within one month. Failure to do so will result in removal from the ALMM lists.

Renewal

The process for renewing enlistment in ALMM mirrors that of fresh enlistment, requiring submission of relevant documents and payment of renewal fees, set at 50% of the current application fee. All conditions, procedures, and inspection fees for fresh enlistment also apply to renewal.

When applying for renewal, manufacturers must provide all necessary documents required for a fresh application. Upon renewal, enlistment is extended for another two years. The validity of enlistment is unaffected by the enlistment or renewal of additional models.

Module efficiency

MNRE introduced significant changes to the ALMM by enlisting cadmium telluride thin film-based models in addition to the existing crystalline-silicon models from manufacturers that adhere to Bureau of Indian Standards norms and meet specific minimum module efficiency criteria. The minimum efficiency listed for cadmium telluride thin film-based modules is as follows:

The minimum module efficiency for crystalline-silicon models is 20% for utility-scale projects, 19.5% for rooftop and solar pumping, and 19% for solar lighting.