MNRE seeks Stakeholder Comments on Draft for Increasing Threshold Solar PV Module Efficiencies for enlistment in ALMM List-I – EQ
Summary:
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## **1. Purpose of the Draft Order**
The MNRE has released this draft to seek stakeholder comments regarding the **proposed increase in minimum module efficiency requirements** for manufacturers to get their solar PV modules enlisted under the **Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-I**.
The key goal:
To ensure ALMM includes **only high-quality, high-efficiency, commercially relevant solar modules** while excluding **low-efficiency and obsolete technologies**.
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## **2. Existing Minimum Efficiency Requirements (Current Thresholds)**
The current thresholds differ by application category and module technology:
### **For c-Si (crystalline silicon) Modules**
* **Category I – Utility/Grid-Scale:** 20.00%
* **Category II – Rooftop & Solar Pumps:** 19.50%
* **Category III – Off-grid <200Wp:** 18.00%
* **Category IV – Other Applications:** 19.00%
### **For CdTe Thin Film Modules**
* **Category I:** 19.00%
* **Category II:** 18.50%
* **Category III:** 18.00%
* **Category IV:** 18.00%
Category III applies to smaller off-grid devices and is listed separately under **ALMM List-I (DRE)**.
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## **3. Rationale for Revision**
MNRE highlights three reasons for upgrading the efficiency thresholds:
1. **Reflect Market Evolution** – Efficiency levels of commercially available modules have increased due to technological advancements.
2. **Maintain Quality & Competitiveness** – Ensure that the ALMM list represents modules above a certain performance benchmark.
3. **Exclude Obsolete Technologies** – Act as a barrier to low-efficiency modules that no longer meet market standards.
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## **4. Proposed New Efficiency Thresholds**
MNRE proposes phased enhancements to efficiency requirements, effective from **1 January 2027** and **1 January 2028**.
### **Category I – Utility / Grid-Scale Power Plants**
| Technology | Current | Proposed 2027 | Proposed 2028 |
| ———- | ——- | ————- | ————- |
| **c-Si** | 20.0% | 21.0% | 21.5% |
| **CdTe** | 19.0% | 20.0% | 20.5% |
### **Category II – Rooftop & Solar Pumping**
| Technology | Current | Proposed 2027 | Proposed 2028 |
| ———- | ——- | ————- | ————- |
| **c-Si** | 19.5% | 20.5% | 21.0% |
| **CdTe** | 18.5% | 19.5% | 20.0% |
### **Category III – Off-grid (DRE) Modules <200Wp**
| Technology | Current | Proposed 2027 | Proposed 2028 |
| ———- | ——- | ————- | ————- |
| **c-Si** | 18.0% | 19.0% | 19.5% |
| **CdTe** | 18.0% | 19.0% | 19.5% |
### **Category IV – All Other Applications**
| Technology | Current | Proposed 2027 | Proposed 2028 |
| ———- | ——- | ————- | ————- |
| **c-Si** | 19.0% | 20.0% | 20.5% |
| **CdTe** | 18.0% | 19.0% | 19.5% |
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## **5. Key Implications**
### **For Manufacturers**
* Must upgrade technologies to meet higher efficiencies by 2027–2028.
* Modules below these threshold efficiencies will not qualify for ALMM List-I.
### **For Project Developers**
* Future procurement must adhere to stricter efficiency benchmarks.
* Could increase module costs but ensures higher energy yields.
### **For the Sector**
* Encourages modernization and competitiveness in Indian solar manufacturing.
* Aligns Indian standards with global trends of rising module efficiency.
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