India is considering limited relief measures for delayed solar power projects ahead of the June 1 deadline mandating the use of domestically approved photovoltaic cells under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework.

According to officials familiar with the matter, the government is unlikely to approve a blanket deferment of the ALMM implementation timeline. However, selective extensions may be granted for projects facing genuine delays caused by transmission infrastructure constraints or cases where solar modules have already been installed but final commissioning was delayed due to external factors.

Under the revised ALMM norms, developers are required to source solar photovoltaic cells only from manufacturers listed under ALMM List-II. Projects commissioned after May 31, 2026, must comply with the domestic sourcing requirement.

The policy is part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing, reduce dependence on imports, and support long-term energy security as the country accelerates its renewable energy transition.

Several developers, particularly in the commercial and industrial (C&I) renewable energy segment, have raised concerns regarding limited domestic cell availability, project execution timelines, and rising procurement costs linked to the new sourcing rules.

Despite industry concerns, government officials have maintained that domestic manufacturing capacity is sufficient to support implementation of the policy.

As of April 2026, more than 30 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity across 17 manufacturing facilities had been enlisted under ALMM List-II, creating a sizeable approved domestic supplier base.

Indian Solar Manufacturers Association estimates that India’s cumulative domestic solar cell manufacturing capacity could expand to approximately 103 GW by December 2026.

The industry body also stated that cumulative investments in India’s solar cell manufacturing ecosystem have already crossed ₹50,000 crore, supported by policy initiatives aimed at promoting localisation and self-reliance in clean energy supply chains.

The ALMM framework has emerged as a central pillar of India’s renewable energy industrial policy, complementing other measures such as production-linked incentives (PLI), Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) mandates, and import management strategies.

Industry observers believe the government’s approach reflects an attempt to balance project execution realities with its long-term objective of building a globally competitive domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem.