NEW DELHI — In a bid to boost India’s ambitious renewable energy (RE) targets,
the government on Wednesday notified a revised quality control order for solar
photovoltaic (PV) products.
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) notified
the ‘Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025,’ which revises
and supersedes the existing solar photovoltaics, systems, devices and
components goods (requirements for compulsory registration) order, 2017.
"The revised order has been notified in the Gazette
of India vide Gazette Notification dated 27.01.2025 under the Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS) Act, 2016 and will come into effect 180 days from the date of
publication," the ministry said in a statement.
The order covers solar PV modules and inverters to be
used in solar PV applications and storage batteries.
According to the order, solar PV modules, inverters and
storage batteries must conform to the latest Indian standards (as notified by
BIS) and bear the Standard Mark under a license from the BIS.
"Minimum efficiency criteria for solar PV modules
are introduced which are as follows – 18 per cent for Mono Crystalline Silicon
and Thin-Film PV Modules and 17 per cent for Poly Crystalline Silicon PV
Modules," read the order.
The order applies to manufacturers, importers,
distributors, retailers, sellers, and lessors of solar PV systems and
components.
"The BIS will oversee grant of licence and
enforcement of the order. Market surveillance will be done by BIS or agency
notified by BIS in consultation with MNRE," according to the ministry.
"This initiative underscores MNRE’s commitment to
ensuring the highest quality standards while fostering innovation and
sustainability in the renewable energy sector," it added.
The revised quality control order has been notified by
the ministry after due consultations for over 24 months with all the relevant
stakeholders. It aligns with the government’s commitment to promoting
high-quality and efficient solar photovoltaic products for sustainable energy
development.
