India Extends ALMM to Solar Ingots and Wafers from June 2028

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has widened its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework to include solar ingots and wafers. The change takes effect from June 1, 2028. The move was announced through a formal order, as reported by News On AIR.

Until now, the ALMM covered only solar cells and modules. The new rule brings upstream components into the fold. Ingots and wafers are the raw building blocks of solar cells. By including them, the government aims to tighten quality checks and push domestic production deeper into the supply chain.

The ALMM is a government list that sets quality and performance standards. Only models and manufacturers on the list can be used in government-backed solar projects. The list already covers modules and cells. The extension to ingots and wafers means that from June 2028, all three stages of solar manufacturing must meet the same standards.

India has been trying to build a homegrown solar manufacturing base. Most solar cells and modules used in India today come from China. The government has used tariffs, production-linked incentives, and the ALMM to change that. The new rule is another step in that direction.

The timeline matters. June 2028 gives manufacturers four years to set up ingot and wafer production lines that meet the ALMM standards. That is a long lead time. It also gives existing producers time to upgrade their plants. The delay may also reflect the difficulty of making ingots and wafers at scale. These are energy-intensive processes that require high-purity silicon and precise machinery.

India currently has little ingot and wafer capacity. Most of the country's solar cell makers import wafers, mostly from China and Malaysia. A few companies have announced plans to build integrated plants that start from polysilicon. But those plants are years away from full output.

The MNRE order did not spell out penalties for non-compliance. It also did not say whether the ALMM for ingots and wafers will follow the same testing and certification rules as for modules. Those details are expected in later notifications.

Industry watchers say the rule will push manufacturers to invest in upstream capacity. It could also raise the cost of solar modules in the short term. But over time, it may lower India's reliance on imported wafers and strengthen the country's position in the global solar supply chain.

The government has not yet released a timeline for when the list of approved ingot and wafer makers will be published. The ALMM for modules and cells is updated regularly. A similar process is expected for the new categories.

The extension comes as India races to meet its target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Solar is expected to make up the bulk of that. Ensuring that the components used in solar projects meet quality standards is seen as key to long-term performance and grid stability.

The order applies to all government-supported solar projects, including those under the PM-KUSUM scheme, solar parks, and rooftop solar programs. Private projects are not covered by the ALMM, though some developers voluntarily stick to the list.

For now, the solar industry is watching and waiting. The real work begins in 2028.