The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has decided to reimpose the regulatory measure of Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) from April 1, 2024. However, the recent notification removes the exemptions previously granted to projects under open access and rooftop solar installations by private entities, as stated in the February directive. MNRE did not offer specific clarifications regarding the exemptions, however, it noted that the ALMM order 2019, which was suspended for one year, namely during the fiscal year 2023-24, is scheduled to be enforced starting from April 1, 2024. The ministry will review separately those projects where solar modules have been delivered to the project site by March 31, 2024, but cannot be commissioned by that date due to circumstances beyond the control of the project developer.
The ministry initially released the ALMM reinstatement directive in February 2024, which included exemptions for projects in advanced stages, open access or captive projects, and non-subsidised rooftop solar projects. After receiving inquiries from stakeholders regarding the ambiguity surrounding the term advanced stages of construction, which was used by the MNRE in the notification reintroducing the ALMM requirement, the order was subsequently suspended.
