MNRE Amends ALMM Rules, Extends Validity for Co-Branded Solar PV To Four Yrs

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has amended the guidelines for the enlistment of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), specifically for co-branded products, and has extended the validity period for such enlistments.

Under the latest amendments, MNRE introduced provisions for the enlistment of co-branded products in the ALMM. Previously, both the brand owner and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) were required to be separately enlisted in the ALMM.

MNRE Revised Provision:

MNRE has updated the rules for cases where (a) both the brand owner and the OEM are enlisted in the ALMM, and (b) where the brand owner is not enlisted in the ALMM, but the OEM is enlisted as a solar PV module manufacturer in the ALMM.

However, the revised provision will apply only under the following conditions:

1. ALMM-enlisted co-branded solar PV modules where the brand owner is not separately enlisted in the ALMM as an OEM will be eligible for supply only to Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) projects with a capacity of less than 1 MW.

2. The brand owner must be a company registered in India under the Companies Act, 2013, or subsequent versions thereof.

3. The brand owner must not have a solar PV module manufacturing facility anywhere in the world.

4. The brand owner must have a co-branding agreement or legal contract with an OEM already enlisted in the ALMM.

5. Any model enlisted in the ALMM through such a co-branding arrangement, where the brand owner is not enlisted but the OEM is, will undergo thorough scrutiny, including physical inspection and verification of the manufacturing unit.

6. All applicable warranties for solar PV modules—covering product, power output, performance, and lifetime—shall be jointly and severally provided by both the brand owner and the OEM. This requirement must be explicitly stated in the co-branding agreement between the brand owner and the ALMM-enlisted OEM.

Change in Enlistment Process for Co-branded Modules

Previously, MNRE allowed co-branded modules to be listed in the ALMM under the brand owner’s name as an entry.

However, under the revised rules, if a co-branded module is manufactured by an approved OEM but sold under another company’s brand, it must be listed in the ALMM under the brand owner’s name.

Additionally, if the brand owner is already listed, the models will be linked to its existing entry. In cases where the brand owner is not listed but the OEM is, MNRE will add the brand owner’s name to the ALMM to ensure the modules are searchable by the brand name in the market.

Under the revised rule, MNRE has extended the validity of co-branded enlistments from two years to four years from the date of enlistment in the ALMM. Furthermore, the validity of a co-branded model is now tied not only to the four-year limit but also to the business relationship and ALMM status of both the brand owner and the OEM.