India Extends ALMM to Solar Ingots and Wafers from 2028

India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced on March 18, 2026, the extension of its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers framework to include solar ingots and wafers, mandating their domestic production for key solar projects starting June 1, 2028. The move targets government-backed initiatives, utility-scale developments, commercial and industrial installations, and schemes like PM Surya Ghar, aiming to reduce reliance on imports and bolster the nation's solar manufacturing chain.

The new ALMM List III will require projects to source ingots and wafers from approved domestic manufacturers, building on existing lists for modules and cells. Modules must use cells from List II, which takes effect June 1, 2026, and those cells must incorporate wafers from List III. To activate the list, at least three independent manufacturing units with a combined capacity of 15 gigawatts must be operational, ensuring a stable supply base. Exemptions protect ongoing efforts, including projects with bid deadlines within seven days of the list's publication, those already cleared under prior ALMM orders, and open-access or net-metered installations commissioned before June 2028. Bids...