MNRE announces significant changes in ALMM for solar photovoltaic modules

A number of changes have been made to the ALMM system for solar photovoltaic modules by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE). The improvemen’ts are largely intended to decrease costs for solar PV manufacturers, the amount of time it takes from application to enlisting, the burden of compliance, and to make doing business throughout the entire ALMM process easier.

The application fee was reduced by 80 percent as one of the primary changes. Along with a significant inspection fee decrease—up to a 70 percent reduction in certain cases. An exemption from factory inspection in the event that the applicant adds additional models to ALMM that are similar to those presently but have a lower wattage. Granting manufacturers the option to withdraw their applications prior to the factory inspection and refunding 90 percent of the application fee. ALMM enlistment validity is extended from two to four years.

Grant of factory enlistment and final enlistment within two months of receiving BIS registration, failing which deemed enlistment. Provisional enlistment in ALMM is granted within seven days of receiving BIS registration.

 The processing of future ALMM applications will begin without waiting for the submission of physical copies, which can be submitted later, and all future ALMM applications must be submitted with a scanned copy of the application. B. S. Bhalla, Secretary, MNRE, commented on the modifications and stated that they will improve business accessibility and assist in boosting local production of solar photovoltaic modules to meet both present and future demand. The PLI Scheme has improved vertical value chain integration in India in addition to increasing domestic solar module manufacturing capability. We already announced the bid trajectory, which calls for 50 GW of renewable energy to be offered annually for the following five years. 40 GW of solar energy capacity are included in this.