India's MNRE Extends Solar Cell Domestic Sourcing Relief to End‑2026

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued a memorandum on 18 July 2026 granting a limited transition period for net‑metering and open‑access solar projects. These projects may be commissioned without complying with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List‑II requirement until 31 December 2026; from 1 January 2027 they must use solar PV cells sourced from manufacturers on the ALMM List‑II.

The extension, originally set to end on 31 May 2026, was prompted by a shortfall in domestic solar‑cell capacity. India’s domestic cell production is about 31 GW, far below the roughly 193 GW of module‑manufacturing capacity, with an even larger gap for high‑efficiency TOPCon cells (≈10 GW versus ≈172 GW). Industry stakeholders warned that the mismatch could disrupt production lines and certifications. The MNRE stressed that the relief is project‑specific and does not constitute a blanket policy change.