If you are planning to install rooftop solar, one term you will hear more often from now on is: ALMM
ALMM stands for: Approved List of Models and Manufacturers
It is the official approval list released by MNRE for solar manufacturers and solar products allowed in specific government-backed and regulated solar projects.
Until now, most customers only checked:
“Panel ALMM approved?”
But after June 2026, understanding: ALMM List-I and List-II becomes important.
ALMM List-I vs ALMM List-II
| Feature | ALMM List-I | ALMM List-II |
| Includes | Approved panel manufacturers & models | Approved solar cell manufacturers |
| Status | Already implemented | Mandatory from June 1, 2026 |
| Focus | Module quality & manufacturer approval | Domestic solar cell sourcing |
| Main Purpose | Ensure approved panels are used | Strengthen Indian cell manufacturing |
What Actually Changes After June 2026?
The introduction of the approved list of solar module manufacturers and modules (ALMM-I) is expected to increase demand for domestically made modules. Combined with government schemesthat support the use of modules with higher domestic content, this is likely to drive growth. Continued policy support for backward integration is essential for the development of India’s solar equipment manufacturing sector.
These peculiarities of the domestic solar market have most likely determined the following key provisions of ALMM List-II:
- All projects under ALMM will have to source their solar PV modules and cells from the models and manufacturers enlisted under List-I and List-II respectively.
- Net-Metering and Open Access projects will be exempt from sourcing cells from List-II if commissioned prior to 1 June 2026.
- After 31 May 2026, solar PV module manufacturers from ALMM List-I that do not source cells from List-II will be delisted and will form a separate list called ALMM List-I (a).
Cost Impact After June 2026
The implementation of ALMM is expected to increase solar project costs as developers shift from lower-cost imported cells to domestically manufactured alternatives. Similar to the impact seen during ALMM implementation, domestic sourcing may increase overall project expenses and push project tariffs upward. Although this creates short-term pricing pressure for developers and affects PPA competitiveness, it is expected to strengthen India’s domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem and reduce long-term dependence on imports.
At the same time, China’s reduction in export rebates for solar products has increased the cost of imported cells and modules globally, narrowing the price advantage of Chinese imports. The combined impact of higher domestic sourcing requirements and rising import costs is creating a cost squeeze across the solar sector, encouraging local manufacturing, backward integration, and a more resilient renewable energy supply chain in India.
Following the latest government policy changes and mandatory domestic cell sourcing requirements, rooftop solar system costs are expected to increase by approximately ₹10–15/Wp depending on module type and project category. This could increase installation costs by nearly ₹10,000–15,000 for a 1 kW system, ₹20,000–30,000 for 2 kW, and around ₹30,000–45,000 for 3 kW rooftop solar projects after June 2026