ALMM Expansion to Strengthen Domestic Solar Manufacturing

20 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order to introduce ALMM List-III for ingots and wafers, with the new provisions taking effect from the first of June 2028. The order extends mandatory sourcing requirements that currently apply to modules and cells to an upstream stage of the solar supply chain. Suitable grandfathering provisions have been incorporated to protect projects already in the pipeline.

The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, described the measure as a decisive step towards strengthening India's solar manufacturing ecosystem and indicated that it would boost domestic production. The minister said the move was expected to enhance supply chain resilience, reduce import dependence and ensure higher quality standards across the solar value chain.

Wafers occupy the critical intermediate stage between polysilicon and solar cells, and India currently has limited domestic wafer manufacturing capacity, relying substantially on imports. The introduction of ALMM List-III is expected to drive investment into ingot and wafer manufacturing facilities in India and to improve supply chain security while reducing vulnerability to import disruptions. Authorities also intend the measures to ensure quality and traceability of solar components from wafer to module and to support the generation of skilled employment in upstream solar manufacturing.

Extending ALMM requirements one step further up the value chain seeks to create stronger incentives for local production and to align procurement with quality assurance objectives. The phased implementation and grandfathering are designed to balance industry transition with continuity of ongoing projects while encouraging new manufacturing capacity. Observers expect the policy to attract capital and technology partnerships that can scale wafer production domestically over the coming years.

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