India mandates use of local solar cells starting June 2026

Projects bid out before the order are exempt.

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has announced that energy companies will be required to use locally manufactured solar photovoltaic (PV) cells in their projects beginning 1 June 2026.

This was following an amendment to the Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules (ALMM) Order, 2019 that introduces the ALMM List-II for PV cells. The ministry said this marks a major step towards boosting domestic manufacturing and fueling self-reliance in India’s renewable energy industry.

The mandate will cover government-backed schemes, net-metering projects, and open access renewable energy initiatives. Projects that have already been bid out but whose last date of bid submission is before the issuance of the order are not affected.

“For all future bids, the requirement to source both solar PV modules and cells from the respective ALMM lists will be mandatory, marking a decisive shift towards quality assurance and sustainability in India’s solar power sector,” the ministry said.

Guidelines for the enlistment of solar PV cells under ALMM List-II will be issued in the coming months.

The ministry said this move aligns with India’s goal of achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by 2030.