India’s ALMM List II Updated: Solar Cell Capacity Hits 23.7GW, Local Silicon Loop Mandated By 2028

Localized Silicon Loop Mandated by 2028 India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released a revised "Approved Models and Manufacturers List II for Solar Cells" (ALMM List II), boosting the cumulative registered solar cell production capacity to 23.7GW. The update, marked by a 5.82GW capacity addition, underscores India's push to strengthen domestic photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing and advance its 2030 500GW non-fossil energy installation target.

Core Highlights of the Revised List

1. Capacity Expansion & Key Contributor

Since its first release in August 2025, ALMM List II has undergone three expansions, reflecting rapid growth in India's solar cell manufacturing sector:

August 2025 (1st version): 13.067GW from 9 manufacturers

September 2025 (2nd version): Added 4.8GW (total 17.867GW)

December 2025 (revised version): Added 5.82GW (total 23.7GW)

The bulk of the latest capacity increase (5.2GW) comes from two new registrations by Waaree Energies, India's leading PV manufacturer, sourced from its production base in Gujarat-a core hub for India's PV manufacturing industry . Waaree's global solar module capacity now stands at 22.3GW (19.7GW in India, 2.6GW in the U.S.), with its Gujarat facility operating as India's largest advanced solar cell plant (5.4GW total cell capacity) .

2. Product Parameters: Dual-Technology Route Advancement

Waaree's newly registered capacities cover both P-type and high-efficiency N-type technologies, showcasing India's shift toward advanced PV solutions. The first batch of projects included in the list features an annual production of 1.3GWP monocrystalline silicon PERC double-sided cells, designed with 10 main grids and dimensions of 182.2mm×182.2mm, boasting an average conversion efficiency of 23.55%. Meanwhile, the second batch of shortlisted projects comprises 3.9GW N-type monocrystalline silicon TOPCon double-sided batteries, which adopt a 16-main-grid structure, measure 183.75mm×182.2mm, and achieve an average conversion efficiency of up to 25.54%.

Both registrations are valid for four years, from December 15, 2025, to December 14, 2029 .

Policy Upgrade: Localized "Silicon Ingot-Wafer-Cell" Loop by 2028

MNRE concurrently unveiled a landmark regulation to deepen industrial chain integration: starting June 1, 2028, all solar cells on ALMM List II must use locally produced silicon wafers registered on ALMM List III (Silicon Wafer Special List) . Key requirements include:

Silicon wafer manufacturers must have matching silicon ingot production capacity, forming a fully localized "silicon ingot-silicon wafer-cell" vertical integration loop .

ALMM List III will be launched only when at least 3 independent silicon wafer manufacturers exist with a combined annual capacity of 15GW .

Exemption rules: Projects tendered before one month after ALMM List III's release may use non-listed silicon wafers even if commissioned post-2028; projects tendered after the deadline must strictly source from List I (modules), List II (cells), and List III (silicon wafers) .

This policy aims to reduce India's reliance on imported silicon wafers and cells-currently a critical gap, as India's 24.5GW cell capacity and 14GW silicon ingot capacity lag behind its 68.4GW module capacity . Waaree Energies CEO Amit Paithankar praised the move, noting it "promotes true backward integration and strengthens India's self-reliant solar supply chain" .

Strategic Significance & Industry Impact

1. Supporting National Energy Targets

The 23.7GW registered cell capacity aligns with India's goal to source 47.8% of power from renewables by 2025 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2053 . ALMM List II will be mandatorily implemented from June 1, 2026, requiring government-supported projects to prioritize listed cells, accelerating domestic manufacturing adoption .

2. Balancing "Make in India" and Supply Chain Realities

The policy update comes amid a temporary suspension of anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar cells/modules (announced December 29, 2025), as India acknowledges its domestic manufacturing (still concentrated in downstream modules) cannot yet meet its 280GW solar installation target by 2030 . The localized silicon loop mandate seeks to address this gap by incentivizing upstream investment, while the tariff suspension ensures near-term project continuity .

3. Catalyzing Upstream Investment

Industry players have responded positively to the 2028 mandate. Premium Energies plans to build 10GW of silicon ingot-wafer capacity, while Waaree is ramping up upstream investments to meet the integration requirements . This is expected to attract significant capital into India's PV upstream sector, reducing dependence on Chinese imports .