The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the exemption from mandatory domestic sourcing of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells for open access and net metering renewable energy projects until December 31, 2026. The decision provides temporary relief to project developers while maintaining the government’s broader push to strengthen India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem.

The extension applies only to eligible open access and net metering projects and is not a blanket relaxation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) policy. The government clarified that its localisation roadmap remains unchanged and that domestic manufacturing will continue to be a key priority for the country’s renewable energy sector.

Industry stakeholders had sought additional time, citing supply constraints and project execution challenges associated with domestically approved solar cells. The limited extension is expected to help developers complete ongoing projects without significant delays while domestic production capacity continues to expand.

Officials said the move strikes a balance between accelerating renewable energy deployment and supporting India’s long-term goal of building a self-reliant solar manufacturing industry. By providing a temporary window for ongoing projects, the government aims to ensure that clean energy expansion continues without compromising its localisation strategy.

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The decision is expected to benefit commercial, industrial and rooftop solar developers, many of whom rely on open access and net metering mechanisms to supply affordable renewable electricity. At the same time, the government has reiterated that future growth of the sector will increasingly depend on domestically manufactured solar components, reinforcing India’s vision of becoming a global renewable energy manufacturing hub.

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