The government has extended the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework to include solar ingots and wafers, aiming to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has introduced ALMM List-III for ingots and wafers, which will take effect from June 1, 2028. The ministry stated that from this date, all solar projects, including net metering and open access projects, will be required to use ALMM-listed wafers.
In a social media post, Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, described this move as a decisive step towards strengthening India's solar manufacturing ecosystem. He stated that it will boost domestic production, enhance supply chain resilience, reduce import dependence, and ensure higher quality standards across the entire solar value chain.
Under the new provisions, bids submitted after a specified cut-off date under the Electricity Act must mandatorily use ALMM List III-compliant wafers. The initial list will be issued only after at least three independent manufacturers with a combined capacity of 15 gigawatts are operational in the country. Manufacturers will also need to have equivalent ingot production capacity to qualify, promoting upstream integration.
The government has also ensured that projects already in the pipeline are protected through grandfathering provisions, while existing Domestic Content Requirement norms remain unchanged. This move aligns with India's broader goal of achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and advancing the vision of self-reliance in clean energy.