The extension of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework to solar cells, effective June 1, 2026, has received strong backing from industry stakeholders, who see the move as a significant step toward strengthening India’s domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem, reducing import dependence and deepening energy security.
Industry leaders believe the implementation of ALMM List-II could accelerate investments across the solar value chain and reinforce the country’s long-term ambition of building a globally competitive clean energy manufacturing base, while also acknowledging short-term supply-side challenges during the transition phase.
Domestic Manufacturing Push Gains Momentum
Calling the move “more than a compliance measure”, Ishver Dholakiya, Founder and Managing Director of Goldi Solar, said ALMM List-II signals that the next phase of India’s solar transition will increasingly be built on domestic capabilities rather than import dependence. He noted that India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem has expanded significantly, with cumulative module manufacturing capacity nearing 210 GW and domestic solar cell capacity crossing 27 GW as of early 2026.
However, Dholakiya added that upstream integration and high-efficiency cell manufacturing remain important strategic priorities, with the implementation expected to accelerate investments in domestic cell production, backward integration, technology upgrades and long-term supply-chain resilience.
Echoing similar views, Siddharth Bhatia, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Oyster Renewables, described the implementation of ALMM List-II as an “important and timely step” in India’s broader vision of strengthening energy security, deepening domestic manufacturing capabilities and building a resilient renewable energy ecosystem anchored in self-reliance.
Industry Flags Near-Term Supply Challenges
Bhatia said the move is expected to further catalyse investments across the solar value chain and reinforce the long-term objective of establishing a globally competitive “Made in India” clean energy manufacturing base. At the same time, he cautioned that the industry is entering a critical transition phase as domestic cell manufacturing capacities scale up alongside India’s accelerating renewable energy ambitions.
According to Bhatia, current domestic solar cell manufacturing capacity stands at around 27 GW, while annual solar demand is expected to remain close to 50 GW in the coming years, potentially creating temporary supply-side and procurement-related challenges for projects under execution. However, he said this should be viewed as a natural progression in the evolution of India’s renewable manufacturing landscape, with substantial capacity additions and deeper backward integration initiatives already underway.
With significant manufacturing expansions expected by March 2027, the sector is likely to move toward a more balanced and self-sustaining supply environment, industry leaders said, adding that close coordination between policymakers, manufacturers, developers and supply-chain stakeholders will be crucial to ensuring a smooth transition while supporting India’s long-term renewable energy goals.