Centre cuts solar PV module ALMM registration fee, extends validity

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has made several reforms to its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) system for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The reforms, primarily aimed at reducing costs for solar PV producers, shortening the time between application and enlistment, reducing compliance burdens, and improving overall convenience in the ALMM process, include: 1. An 80% reduction in the application fee. 2. Significantly lower inspection fees, with reductions of up to 70% in certain cases. 3. Exemption from factory inspection when adding additional models to the ALMM that are similar to those already enlisted but have lower wattage. 4. Manufacturers are allowed to withdraw applications before the factory inspection and receive a 90 percent refund of the application fee. 5. Extending the validity of ALMM enlistment from two to four years. 6. Provisional enlistment in ALMM within seven days of receiving Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) registration, with a two-month deadline for factory enlistment and final enlistment. Failure to meet the deadline will result in deemed enlistment. 7. All future ALMM applications must include a scanned copy of the application, and processing will commence without requiring hard copies, which can be submitted later. 8. Introducing minimum module efficiency limits specific to end-use categories for ALMM enlistment: - 20% for utility/grid-scale power plants - 19.50% for solar and rooftop pumping - 19% for solar lighting In the meantime, BS Bhalla, Secretary, MNRE, stated that the changes in the ALMM for PV modules would enhance the ease of doing business and support the expansion of local production of solar PV modules to meet current and future demand. The PLI Scheme has not only boosted domestic manufacturing capacity of solar modules but also facilitated vertical integration of the value chain in India. Also read: TCC seeks consultants for green power project optimisation Vibrant Energy partners with Envision for 149 MW wind turbine order