The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has ruled out a blanket extension of the 1 June 2026 deadline for the applicability of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar PV cells, while allowing case-to-case relief for renewable energy projects where investments have already been made.
The decision was taken after detailed examination of representations received from stakeholders and wider consultations with the industry, the ministry said in a statement on Monday, 25 May.
Under the existing ALMM List-II framework for solar PV cells, net-metering projects and open access projects commissioned before 1 June 2026 are exempt from the applicability of ALMM List-II for solar PV cells.
Projects commissioned after this date will have to comply with the ALMM List-II provisions.
The ministry had received several representations on the 1 June 2026 timeline. Some stakeholders sought an extension of the deadline, while others urged that no extension should be granted.
During the review, the ministry also considered an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, on 29 April 2026.
The memorandum advised that the ongoing West Asia situation be treated as war and said time extension of not less than two months and not more than four months may be considered on the basis of specific situations, rather than through a blanket policy.
Following the review, the ministry decided that no blanket extension of the deadline beyond 1 June 2026 is required.
However, the ministry said certain net-metering, open access and renewable energy power projects will be considered for appropriate time extension on a case-to-case basis in order to protect investments already made in the larger public interest.
Such relief may be considered for projects where solar modules have already been installed but commissioning is pending, or where renewable energy power developers have taken effective steps toward implementation.
The ministry said effective steps would include land acquisition, financial closure, connectivity arrangements, approval of electrical drawings, and arrival or installation of solar modules.
Applications for time extension will be examined after an objective assessment of supporting information and documentary proof submitted by the concerned developers.
Renewable power project developers seeking time extension beyond 1 June 2026 may submit their claims through a dedicated portal developed by the National Institute of Solar Energy for this purpose.
The claims must be submitted on or before 30 June 2026, along with the required documentary proof.
The ministry said the claims will be examined by an Expert Committee to be constituted by it.
The committee will recommend project-wise, case-to-case claims based on the information provided by the renewable energy power developers.
The ministry has also clarified the position for residential net-metering consumers participating in the “Give It Up” campaign under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Consumers who voluntarily give up government subsidy will continue to be governed by the existing scheme guidelines till the end of the scheme on 31 March 2027.
However, such residential net-metering consumers will have to apply only through the National Portal for PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The ministry said the decisions reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring policy stability in the solar PV manufacturing ecosystem and making India self-sufficient in solar PV manufacturing.
It added that the move is also aimed at safeguarding investor confidence and protecting investments already made in renewable energy power projects that could not be commissioned despite developers having taken effective steps toward implementation.
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