ALMM extended to solar ingots and wafers through List-III, effective 1 June 2028
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced on 18 March 2026 that the ALMM Order has been expanded with ALMM List-III for solar ingots and wafers, mandatory for all projects from 1 June 2028.
Summary
The ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) Order has been expanded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy with ALMM List-III for solar ingots and wafers, announced on 18 March 2026. From 1 June 2028 all projects, including net-metering and open-access projects, must use ALMM-listed wafers, extending the sourcing rule already in force for modules and cells further up the supply chain. The initial list will be issued only when at least 3 independent manufacturers with combined capacity of 15 GW are available, and wafer makers must also have matching ingot capacity. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi called it a step to boost domestic manufacturing and cut import dependence.
Key facts
- Order
- ALMM List-III – solar ingots and wafers
- Effective
- 1 June 2028 for all projects
- Existing lists
- Modules (List-I) and cells
- Threshold for first list
- ≥3 independent units, combined 15 GW
- Condition
- Wafer makers need equivalent ingot capacity
- Ministry
- MNRE; Minister Pralhad Joshi
Practice MCQs 2 questions
ALMM List-III, announced by MNRE in March 2026, covers which solar products?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Ingots and wafers
MNRE expanded the ALMM Order to introduce List-III for ingots and wafers; modules and cells were already covered.
From which date must all solar projects use ALMM List-III compliant wafers?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 June 2028
The effective date is 1 June 2028, from which all projects, including net-metering and open-access projects, must use ALMM-listed wafers.