MNRE to Issue a List of Eligible Solar Manufacturers for Government Projects

The MNRE has stated that the projects for which tenders have not been finalised before the decision will be allowed to source outside the ALMM list only till March 31, 2020

The government is planning to issue a list of solar models and manufacturers that will be utilised in the projects owned by the government and for those projects established for the sale of power to the government, according to a recent notification by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

The ministry will formulate a list of the eligible models and manufacturers of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules that comply with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and publish the list under the heading of Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).

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The approved list will comprise LIST-I that specifies solar PV modules models and manufacturers and LIST-II that specifies solar PV cells models and manufacturers. The list will come into effect from March 31, 2020, the notification said.

Procurement only from enlisted vendors

All the government-owned solar projects and those established for sale of power to the government will be required to source components from the enlisted vendors, after March 31, 2020. In addition, the Ministry has stated that after the given date all the solar module manufacturers which are listed in LIST-I have to source solar cells from the manufacturers that are listed in LIST-II.

The Ministry has also clarified that all the solar PV projects for which the bids have been awarded before the issuance of the notification will be given exemption from mandatory procurement need, in order to prevent the industry from being impacted by the order.

The MNRE has also stated that the projects for which tenders have not been finalised before the decision will be allowed to source outside the ALMM list only till March 31, 2020.

To become eligible for the list, it is mandatory for manufacturers to get the BIS certification. There is a validity period of two-year period for enlistment and it can be renewed by filing required documents and satisfactory performance of the products.