(representative image) The solar cell capacity addition of 5 GW during Q1 2026 is the third highest in the last six years. | Photo Credit: REUTERS/ANNEGRET HILSE

The upcoming mandate for the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar PV cells from June 1, 2026 has helped push up manufacturing with 5 gigawatts (GW) capacity being added during January-March 2026.

The solar cell capacity addition of 5 GW during Q1 2026 is the third highest in the last six years.

India’s cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing capacity reached 40 GW at the end of March 2026, with 5 GW added during January-March, noted JMK Research & Analytics.

“The growth in domestic cell manufacturing is largely driven by the upcoming implementation of ALMM List-II (ALCM) from June 2026 onwards, encouraging the manufacturers to strengthen local manufacturing capacities. Of the total capacity, around 27.23 GW is enlisted under ALCM,” it added.

A senior government official said the step to mandate ALMM for solar cells is to give policy certainty to the domestic manufacturing segment and investors. About 18 months back the government told the commercial & Industrial (C&I) sector that this mandate will come from June 1. The government also started impressing the stakeholders to move towards meeting the targets.

“There are two things. First, whatever investments have been made in cell manufacturing to make India self-reliant, please go ahead and we will support you. There is demand creation. Second, this also gives a clear window for fresh investments,” the official added.

On Monday, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) clarified that “no blanket” extension of the deadline for applicability of ALMM List-II for solar PV cells will be given beyond June 1, 2026.

Under the existing framework for ALMM for solar PV cells, Net-Metering Projects and Open Access Projects commissioned prior to June 1, 2026 are exempt from the applicability of ALMM List-II. Projects commissioned after this date will be required to comply with the ALMM provisions.

India added roughly 3 GW solar cell manufacturing capacity in the 2020 calendar year (CY), which got completely derailed due to the Covid pandemic in 2021. In 2022, the country added 1.3 GW, followed by 2.3 GW in 2023, 8 GW (2024) and 20.4 GW (2025).

In Q1 2026, a cumulative cell capacity of 4.2 GW was added by 4 players, with Cosmic Power having the highest expansion of 1.6 GW, followed by Websol Energy (1.2 GW), Jupiter International (1 GW) and Premier Energies (0.4 GW).

In a bid to help the industry, the Ministry said that RE project developers seeking time beyond June 1, 2026 will have to submit their claims, along with requisite documentary proof, through a dedicated portal developed by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) on or before June 30, 2026.

Such claims shall be examined by an expert committee to be constituted by the Ministry to recommend project-wise, case-to-case claims based on the information provided by the concerned Renewable Energy power developers.

Published on May 31, 2026