ALMM List-I vs ALMM List-II: What Is the Difference?
The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is a quality gate maintained by India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It has two parts:
- List-I covers finished solar panels (modules). If a panel model appears on List-I, it is approved for use in subsidised or government-linked solar projects. Our existing guide on how to decode the ALMM List for panel selection covers this in detail.
- List-II covers the solar cells that go inside those panels. Starting June 1, 2026, every panel on List-I must use cells sourced exclusively from manufacturers approved on List-II.
In simple terms: List-I is the panel stamp of approval, List-II is the stamp of approval for what is inside the panel. Before June 2026, module manufacturers could source cells from anywhere, including imports. That changes now.
Why Is MNRE Introducing List-II Now?
India currently imports the majority of its solar cells from China. The ALMM List-II is a Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) that forces module manufacturers to source cells from approved Indian factories. The policy goal is twofold: reduce import dependency and accelerate India's domestic solar manufacturing base.
MNRE delayed enforcement multiple times since 2023 to give manufacturers time to build domestic cell capacity. By May 2026, approximately 30 GW of approved domestic cell capacity is listed, which MNRE considers sufficient for implementation.
Effective Date and What Specifically Changes
For homeowners and businesses planning solar installations in Madhya Pradesh, the practical impact is straightforward: if your installer is using panels that remain on ALMM List-I after June 1 (which all reputable manufacturers will ensure), your installation is compliant and your subsidy is safe.
Does ALMM List-II Affect Your PM Surya Ghar Subsidy?
Indirectly, yes. The PM Surya Ghar subsidy of up to ₹78,000 requires that panels used are on the current ALMM List-I at the time of installation. From June 1, the continued presence of a panel on List-I depends on that panel using List-II certified cells.
In practice, large panel manufacturers (Waaree, Vikram Solar, Adani Solar, Tata Power Solar) have already restructured their supply chains to use domestic cells. The risk is higher with smaller or less-established panel brands that may not have done so.
Who Is Exempt from ALMM List-II?
MNRE has provided two categories of exemptions:
- Date-of-bid exemption: Solar projects where the last date of bid submission was on or before August 31, 2025 are exempt from List-II regardless of their commissioning date. These projects can use panels with non-List-II cells and still remain compliant.
- Net-metering and Open Access exemption: Net-metering and Open Access projects commissioned before June 1, 2026 are also exempt. If your system is already installed and connected before this date, no action is required.
If you are planning a new residential installation after June 1, 2026, neither exemption applies. Your installation must use List-II compliant panels.
Which Manufacturers Are in ALMM List-II?
As of the seventh revision (April 30, 2026), ALMM List-II covers approximately 29,758 MW of annual domestic cell capacity. Key manufacturers include:
| Manufacturer | Technology | Capacity (MW/yr) | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliance Industries | HJT | 1,238 | Gujarat |
| Adani Solar | Mono PERC / TOPCon | ~4,000+ | Gujarat |
| Waaree Energies | Mono PERC / TOPCon | ~3,000+ | Gujarat |
| Jupiter Solartech | Mono PERC Bifacial | 991 | Himachal Pradesh |
| RenewSys India | N-Type TOPCon Bifacial | 452 | Telangana |
The full list is published on the MNRE website (mnre.gov.in) under the ALMM section and is updated with each revision. The trend is clearly toward TOPCon and HJT cell technology, with Mono PERC still dominant in volume.
How to Verify Your Panels Are List-II Compliant
When getting quotes for a new installation in Madhya Pradesh, ask every installer these three questions:
- Which panel brand and model will you install?
- Is that model currently on ALMM List-I?
- Has the manufacturer confirmed List-II cell sourcing effective June 1, 2026?
Any reputable installer should be able to answer all three in writing. If they cannot, treat that as a red flag. Our guide on choosing a solar installer in Madhya Pradesh covers the full checklist including ALMM verification.
Will List-II Increase Solar Panel Costs?
Marginally in the short term, and likely not at all in the medium term. Module manufacturers who previously used imported cells (at lower cost) now face domestic cell pricing. However, with ~30 GW of domestic capacity listed, supply is not a bottleneck.
For a typical 3 kW residential system in MP, our current benchmark cost is approximately ₹1,60,000 to ₹1,75,000 installed before subsidy. See our solar panel cost guide for Madhya Pradesh for a current breakdown. Any List-II driven cost increase on panels is not expected to change this materially in 2026.
What r-solar Does to Stay Compliant
We procure panels only from ALMM List-I manufacturers. For every batch delivered after June 1, 2026, we require the manufacturer to provide documentation confirming that cells used in the supplied models are from ALMM List-II certified sources. This documentation is retained for every installation.
If you want to go solar in Madhya Pradesh and need certainty that your installation qualifies for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy without any compliance risk, contact r-solar for a free assessment.
