Non-DCR Solar Panels June 2026: Banned or Allowed?

Last updated June 16, 2026 (Originally published April 6, 2026)

June 15: MNRE simplified exemption process for DISCOM-delayed projects. One-month window from clarification date (mid-July, subject to portal confirmation). GIS-tagged photos, invoices, daily installation reports, and self-certification required via NISE portal.
June 13: DCR portal URL confirmed. Category I and II exemptions clarified. Cell capacity corrected to 29,758 MW.
June 8: MNRE confirmed Give It Up exemption valid until March 31, 2027. Applications via PM Surya Ghar National Portal only, not NISE.
May 26: No blanket extension. June 1 deadline confirmed firm.

DCR vs Non-DCR Solar Panels: Difference, Full Form and June 2026 Rules

DCR full form in solar: Domestic Content Requirement. A DCR-compliant module uses cells manufactured in India and certified under ALMM List-II. A module assembled in India from non-certified cells is still non-DCR. Cell origin determines compliance, not assembly location.

If your project is government-tendered, PM Surya Ghar, PM KUSUM, open access or net-metered: Only DCR panels (ALMM List-II certified cells) are permitted from June 1, 2026. Non-DCR panels will fail the compliance check and the subsidy or grid connection will be rejected.

If your project is PM Surya Ghar and your client opts for Give It Up: The client voluntarily foregoes the central subsidy. Non-DCR panels are permitted until March 31, 2027 under this specific exemption, confirmed by MNRE OM dated June 8, 2026.

If your project is a private behind-the-meter C&I installation with no subsidy, no government scheme, no open access, and no net metering: Non-DCR panels are not mandatorily restricted under the current MNRE framework. Verify with your DISCOM and state rules before procurement.

Price difference: DCR panels carry a cost premium due to the domestic cell requirement. The gap has been narrowing as ALMM List-II certified capacity grows — currently at 29,758 MW after the 7th revision. For subsidy-linked projects, the post-subsidy economics typically offset the premium.

The Confusion Is Real — And It's Costing EPCs Money

Since late 2025, the phrase "Non-DCR panels will be banned from June 2026" has been spreading through WhatsApp groups, YouTube channels, and installer networks across India. Some of it is accurate. Most of it is oversimplified. And when EPCs make procurement decisions based on incomplete information, the financial consequences can be severe.

Here is what the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has actually mandated, updated through June 15, 2026.

What Is Actually Happening on June 1, 2026

ALMM List-II, the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers for solar PV cells, became mandatory for most projects commissioned on or after June 1, 2026. This is not a blanket ban on non-DCR panels in all contexts. It is a mandate that for government-backed projects and net-metered or open access installations, the modules used must be made from cells that appear on ALMM List-II, which are domestically manufactured cells.

Projects covered by the mandate include: government tender projects subject to MNRE’s bid-submission cut-off exemption, PM Surya Ghar residential rooftop installations, PM KUSUM Components B and C, and any solar project applying for open access or net metering benefits. For purely private behind-the-meter C&I projects with no government scheme connection, no subsidy claim, no open access, and no net-metering benefit, EPCs should verify applicability case-by-case against the latest MNRE and state-level rules before procurement.

Give It Up category, confirmed exemption details (MNRE OM, June 8, 2026): PM Surya Ghar residential consumers who voluntarily forego the Central Financial Assistance (subsidy of up to Rs 78,000 on a 3 kW system) and choose net metering under the Give It Up option are exempt from ALMM List-II cell requirements until March 31, 2027. To claim this exemption, applications must be submitted through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal only. No separate NISE DCR portal registration is required. This exemption covers only residential consumers under PM Surya Ghar.

All other projects that fall under MNRE’s ALMM mandate, including government / government-assisted projects, government schemes, open access, and net-metering projects, remain subject to applicable ALMM List-II requirements unless specifically exempted. Purely private behind-the-meter C&I projects with no subsidy, no government scheme linkage, no open access, and no net-metering benefit should be checked case-by-case.

Case-Specific Relief for Stranded Projects

While there will be no blanket extension, MNRE announced on May 25, 2026 that project-specific relief is available for developers who had already made substantial progress before June 1. This is a narrow carve-out, not a general exemption. MNRE has formed an expert committee to examine claims on a project-by-project basis. Approval is not guaranteed, evidence quality determines the outcome.

MNRE has defined two distinct categories of exemption. Your evidence requirements depend entirely on which category your project falls into.

Category I — Modules installed, project not commissioned

• 100% of required solar modules were physically installed at the project site before June 1, 2026
• Project was not commissioned before June 1
• Submit: approval or certification from the Electrical Inspectorate for DC-side installations, including solar module installations

Category II — Effective steps taken, project not commissioned

• Possession of at least 75% of required project land before June 1
• Financial closure achieved before June 1
• In-principle grid connectivity approval obtained before June 1
• Electrical drawing approvals obtained before May 1, 2026
• Either: 100% of required modules arrived at the project site before May 25, 2026 (date of MNRE OM), OR more than 50% of required modules physically installed before June 1, 2026

Supporting documents differ by category. Category I requires approval or certification from the Electrical Inspectorate confirming DC-side installations, including solar module installations. Category II requires documents for 75% land possession, financial closure, in-principle grid connectivity approval, and electrical drawing approvals. For the module-evidence condition, projects relying on 100% module arrival before May 25, 2026 should provide GST invoices, e-way bills, lorry receipts, or similar delivery records. Projects relying on more than 50% module installation before June 1, 2026 should provide self-certification, geo-tagged/time-stamped photographs, invoices, and Electrical Inspectorate approval or certification for DC-side installation.

How to apply: the DCR portal is the only route

All extension requests must be submitted exclusively through the dedicated DCR Portal. MNRE has explicitly stated that no physical applications will be accepted. The portal is operated by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE).

Portal URL: solardcrportal.nise.res.in

Submission deadline: June 30, 2026. No physical applications accepted. All documentary evidence must be complete, accurate, and duly authenticated at the time of submission.

Begin gathering all documentary evidence now: land possession records, financial closure documents, connectivity approvals, electrical drawing approvals, and module delivery or installation records. Do not wait until late June. The deadline is not expected to be extended.

DISCOM-Delayed Projects: Simplified Exemption Process (June 15, 2026)

MNRE issued a clarification dated June 15, 2026, specifically for rooftop solar PV projects under the net-metering framework where 100% of required modules were physically installed at the site before June 1, 2026, but commissioning could not be completed by the concerned DISCOM due to valid reasons.

Under this clarification, such projects can apply for exemption from ALMM List-II through the NISE portal. The process is now simplified and does not require waiting for the June 30 general deadline, it has its own one-month window.

Required documentation for DISCOM-delayed projects

• GIS-tagged site photographs confirming modules were physically installed at the project site before June 1, 2026
• Module invoices showing supply date before June 1
• Daily installation reports from the installation period
• Self-certification from the installer confirming the above

Interim commissioning during review

A project does not need to wait for a final exemption verdict. While the application is under review, the DISCOM can verify the project using the submitted documentary proof and allow commissioning under ALMM List-I modules immediately. This removes the bottleneck EPCs were facing between the application and the commissioning date.

If the DISCOM caused the delay

MNRE has specifically stated that where a project is delayed due to issues with the DISCOM, that delay should be recorded in writing at the time of issuing the commissioning certificate. EPCs should request this written record explicitly. It protects the project and the EPC from compliance questions arising from a delay that was outside their control.

The Supply Squeeze: Where Things Stand in June 2026

ALMM-listed solar module capacity stood at approximately 144.8 GW as of December 2025, per Mercom India citing the MNRE-updated List-I, having crossed the 100 GW milestone in August 2025. ALMM List-II certified domestic cell capacity, across all seven revisions, stands at 29,758 MW (approximately 29.8 GW) after the 7th revision (April 30, 2026), per Mercom India Research citing MNRE data directly. The 7th revision added RenewSys India's 452 MW N-Type TOPCon capacity, up from 29,306 MW at the 6th revision. Against ALMM-listed module capacity of 144.8 GW, this represents approximately 20.5% of ALMM-listed module capacity.

The certified pool is growing with each revision but the gap between total module demand and compliant domestic cell supply remains substantial. India's Q1 2026 solar installations jumped 143% year-on-year to 15.3 GW according to Mercom India Research, driven by a rush to beat the June 1 deadline, the largest quarterly installation figure in India's history. That rush cleared significant non-compliant stock. EPCs now entering the market for ALMM List-II compliant modules are competing in a constrained environment with pricing pressure and extended lead times.

ALMM List-II: 7th Revision (April 30, 2026)

The 7th revision of ALMM List-II, issued April 30, 2026, made the following changes:

• Renewsys India Pvt. Ltd. added as a new N-Type TOPCon cell manufacturer: 452 MW of bifacial N-Type TOPCon cells (model: RESERV 71P, average efficiency 24.60%, manufactured in Ranga Reddy, Telangana)
• RenewSys India added (452 MW N-Type TOPCon), bringing total ALMM List-II cell capacity to 29,758 MW (approximately 29.8 GW) per Mercom India citing MNRE 7th revision data
• Waaree Energies efficiency and wattage specifications updated for both PERC and TOPCon cell ranges

MNRE has clarified that capacity figures in each revision represent total approved capacity for each unit and should not be added cumulatively across revisions. Always verify your supplier against the most recent revision at the point of procurement, not a version you checked three months ago. A manufacturer listed in Revision 5 may have updated specifications or capacity figures in Revision 7.

The authoritative source is the MNRE ALMM page: mnre.gov.in/almm. Check it directly before any procurement decision.

The 16-Digit Certificate Requirement

This requirement remains unchanged and is the single most common compliance failure point EPCs are currently encountering.

DCR credentials must be verifiable through the national DCR Verification Portal operated by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE). Within the PM Surya Ghar and DCR verification workflow, a 16-digit DCR certificate number is generated through the portal after module serial numbers and quantity are entered and confirmed. This number forms part of the compliance documentation for subsidy claims. If a manufacturer cannot demonstrate portal registration or explain the certificate generation process, treat that as a procurement risk signal for any subsidy-linked or net-metered project.

Before placing any order for post-June projects: ask your module supplier explicitly for their DCR portal registration status and their process for generating and supplying the DCR certificate number per batch. Get this in writing. A supplier who cannot explain this process clearly has not been through it.

Check Your Supplier's Current ALMM List II Status

Because ALMM List-II is revised frequently, seven times in ten months, a supplier who was not on the list in February 2026 may be listed now. A supplier who was listed in Revision 4 may have updated capacity or efficiency specifications in Revision 7 that affect which specific models qualify. Every EPC must verify their primary module supplier's listing status against Revision 7 (April 30, 2026) or whichever revision is current at the time of procurement.

What EPCs Must Do Right Now

• Identify every project commissioned after June 1 and confirm whether it falls under the mandate. Non-subsidy, non-net-metered, private behind-the-meter C&I projects may be outside the mandate scope, but verify against MNRE's latest clarification for your project type.
• For stranded projects, determine which category (I or II) applies to your situation and begin gathering the required documentary evidence immediately. Submit through solardcrportal.nise.res.in before June 30.
• For all new procurement, verify the manufacturer against the current ALMM List-II (7th revision) at mnre.gov.in before placing any order. Ask for the specific list and revision number, not just "ALMM-approved."
• For any physically installed but uncommissioned system, escalate to the DISCOM immediately and document the escalation. Commissioning date, not installation date, determines compliance under the current rules.

Reslink's solar design and proposal software generates BOM documentation that includes ALMM List-II compliance status for all specified modules, so every proposal your team issues is built on a procurement list that has been verified against the current approved list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is difference between DCR and Non DCR solar panels?

DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) panels are modules made from solar cells that are manufactured in India and certified under the ALMM framework. Non-DCR panels are modules made from imported cells, typically from China, which supplies the majority of India's solar cell demand. The key distinction under the June 2026 mandate is not where the module is assembled, but where the cell inside it was made. A module assembled in India from Chinese cells is non-DCR. A module assembled in India from Indian cells certified under ALMM List-II is DCR-compliant.

Q2. Will Non DCR panels be completely banned from June 1, 2026?

No, this is the most common misunderstanding. Non-DCR panels are not banned in all contexts. The mandate applies specifically to projects that are government-tendered, subsidy-linked (PM Surya Ghar, PM KUSUM), or benefit from grid incentives such as open access or net metering. Purely private commercial or industrial behind-the-meter installations where the project has no government scheme connection, no subsidy claim, no open access, and no net-metering benefit are not automatically covered by the mandate. However, all rooftop installations that connect to the grid for net metering purposes are covered, which represents the vast majority of residential and most commercial rooftop work.

One confirmed exception: PM Surya Ghar beneficiaries who apply under the Give It Up category, who voluntarily forego the Central Financial Assistance, are exempt from ALMM List-II cell requirements until March 31, 2027, per MNRE Office Memorandum dated June 8, 2026. Applications must go through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal only, not the NISE DCR portal. No separate NISE registration is required for these consumers.

Additionally, projects under competitive government tenders whose last bid submission date fell on or before the MNRE-specified cut-off date may be exempt from ALMM List-II requirements even if commissioned after June 1, 2026. Verify the applicable cut-off date for your tender at mnre.gov.in.

Q3. Will MNRE grant an extension to the June 1, 2026 deadline?

No blanket extension will be granted. MNRE confirmed this definitively in its official memorandum dated May 25, 2026. The ministry reviewed stakeholder representations from developers seeking an extension and manufacturers opposing it, and concluded that no universal deferral was necessary. Case-specific relief is available for projects with substantial documented progress before June 1, see Q9 below for the criteria. The June 30, 2026 deadline for submitting case-specific extension claims through the NISE portal is also firm. Do not plan your procurement or project timeline around any expectation of a further deferral.

One exception to the June 30 deadline: rooftop solar PV net-metering projects where 100% of modules were physically installed before June 1 but DISCOM commissioning was delayed due to valid reasons have a separate one-month window from the MNRE clarification dated June 15, 2026, with a mid-July deadline subject to portal confirmation. See Q4 for the full process.

Q4. My rooftop system is already installed but the DISCOM hasn't issued the commissioning certificate yet. Am I at risk?

Yes, and MNRE has now issued a specific simplified process for exactly this situation, per its clarification dated June 15, 2026. This applies specifically to rooftop solar PV projects under net-metering where 100% of modules were physically installed at the site before June 1, 2026, but commissioning was delayed due to valid reasons attributable to the DISCOM.

You can apply for exemption from ALMM List-II through the NISE portal at solardcrportal.nise.res.in. Required documentation: GIS-tagged site photographs confirming modules were installed before June 1, module invoices, daily installation reports from the installation period, and a self-certification from the installer.

You do not need to wait for a final verdict. While your application is under review, the DISCOM can allow commissioning under ALMM List-I modules based on your submitted documents immediately.

This window is one month from the June 15 clarification date, meaning all such projects must be commissioned by mid-July 2026, subject to confirmation via the NISE portal. If the DISCOM itself caused the delay, request that this is recorded in writing on the commissioning certificate when it is issued.

Q5. What happens if I install Non DCR modules in PM Surya Ghar project after June 1?

The subsidy claim will be rejected. PM Surya Ghar provides a subsidy of up to Rs 78,000 per household. That subsidy is only released after the installation is verified through the national portal, and the DCR certificate number generated through the NISE DCR portal is the key verification mechanism. If the installed module cannot produce a valid DCR certificate number through the portal, the installation will fail the compliance check and the subsidy will not be disbursed. The client will hold the EPC responsible for this outcome. There is no retroactive remedy once the installation is complete with non-compliant modules.

Q6. What is ALMM List II and how is it different from List I?

ALMM List-I covers solar PV modules, the complete assembled panel product. It has been in effect since March 2021 and is a well-established requirement that most EPCs are familiar with. ALMM List-II covers solar PV cells, the individual semiconductor wafers that go inside the module. List-II is newer, first published July 31, 2025, and has now been revised seven times, most recently April 30, 2026. The June 2026 mandate adds List-II compliance on top of existing List-I requirements: projects must now use modules that are themselves on List-I AND are made from cells whose manufacturer appears on List-II. Both conditions must be met simultaneously.

Q7. How do I check if my module supplier is on ALMM List II?

The authoritative source is the MNRE ALMM portal at mnre.gov.in. The current revision is Revision 7, dated April 30, 2026, available there as a downloadable document. Because the list is updated frequently, seven revisions in ten months, always verify against the most recent revision at the time of procurement, not a version saved previously. Ask your module supplier explicitly: which cell manufacturer do they source from, and is that manufacturer currently on ALMM List-II Revision 7? Request this in writing before placing any order for post-June projects. Also confirm that the specific cell models supplied are listed, not just the manufacturer name, as a manufacturer can be listed for some models and not others.

Q8. What is the DCR certificate and where do I get it?

DCR credentials are verified through the national DCR Verification Portal operated by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE). Within the PM Surya Ghar and DCR verification workflow, a certificate number is generated per module batch by the manufacturer through the portal. This number confirms that the cells inside a specific batch of modules were manufactured by a registered domestic producer. The certificate is generated and provided by the module manufacturer, not the EPC. When you procure modules for a subsidy-linked or net-metered project, your supplier must provide this certificate number for each batch of modules supplied. You then submit this number as part of the net metering or subsidy application. If the supplier cannot provide the certificate or cannot explain the portal registration process, do not proceed with that module for any covered project.

Q9. What are the exact criteria for the case-specific project relief announced May 25?

MNRE has defined two exemption categories under the May 25, 2026 memorandum, each with separate evidence requirements.

Category I applies to projects where 100% of required solar modules were physically installed at the project site before June 1, 2026, but the project was not commissioned. Evidence required: approval or certification from the Electrical Inspectorate confirming DC-side installations including solar module installations.

Category II applies to projects where effective steps had been taken before June 1, 2026. All of the following must be demonstrated: possession of at least 75% of required project land, financial closure achieved, in-principle grid connectivity approval obtained, electrical drawing approvals obtained before May 1, 2026, and either 100% of required modules arrived at the project site before May 25, 2026 (the date of the MNRE OM), OR more than 50% of required modules were physically installed before June 1, 2026. Category II requires the full document set: land records, loan sanction letters, connectivity approvals, GST invoices, e-way bills, geo-tagged photographs, and Electrical Inspectorate certifications.

All claims must be submitted through the dedicated DCR Portal at solardcrportal.nise.res.in. No physical applications are accepted. The submission deadline is June 30, 2026. An expert committee examines claims project-by-project. Approval is not guaranteed.

Note: Rooftop solar PV net-metering projects where 100% of modules were physically installed before June 1 but DISCOM commissioning was delayed have a separate simplified process announced June 15, 2026, with a mid-July deadline. See Q4 for the full details.

Q10. Are thin film solar modules exempt from the DCR requirement?

Yes, with a specific condition. Thin film solar modules manufactured in India in integrated solar PV module manufacturing units are considered compliant with the ALMM List-II cell requirement under the amended MNRE order. This exemption recognises that thin film technology (such as CdTe and CIGS) has a different cell structure than conventional crystalline silicon and cannot be assessed against the same cell origin criteria. However, the thin film module itself must still be manufactured in India in an integrated facility. Thin film modules imported from overseas do not qualify for this exemption.

Q11. DCR panels cost more than Non-DCR. How do I handle the price difference with clients?

The price premium on DCR-compliant modules has been narrowing as domestic cell capacity expands, but it remains real. IEEFA estimated DCR-compliant modules at around Rs 23 to Rs 26 per watt in late 2025, above imported non-DCR alternatives. For subsidy-linked projects, the framing is straightforward: the client is receiving a subsidy of up to Rs 78,000 (PM Surya Ghar) or significant scheme support (PM KUSUM) that requires DCR compliance as a condition. The net cost to the client after subsidy is often lower with a DCR module than the full upfront cost of a cheaper non-compliant option. Build the comparison into your proposal explicitly: show the client the post-subsidy cost with a compliant module versus the full cost of a cheaper non-compliant option. The GST cut to 5% (effective September 22, 2025) has also reduced the total cost gap between DCR and non-DCR projects by improving the economics of the compliant option.

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Sources

• MNRE ALMM Order — Bid-Submission Cut-Off Exemption — Projects under competitive government tenders whose last bid submission date fell on or before the MNRE-specified cut-off date are exempt from ALMM List-II requirements even if commissioned after June 1, 2026. EPCs should verify the applicable cut-off date for their specific tender directly at mnre.gov.in/almm.
• MNRE Office Memorandum, June 8, 2026 — Give It Up category exemption from ALMM List-II confirmed until March 31, 2027. Application route: PM Surya Ghar National Portal only, not NISE DCR portal. No separate NISE registration required for eligible consumers. Source reported by Energetica India (June 9, 2026), SolarQuarter (June 9, 2026), Saur Energy, and Deccan Herald — all citing MNRE OM directly.
• Business Standard, June 16, 2026 (reporting MNRE clarification dated June 15, 2026) — MNRE June 16 Clarification — business-standard.com — Simplified exemption process for DISCOM-delayed rooftop projects. Required documentation confirmed: GIS-tagged photographs, module invoices, daily installation reports, self-certification. Interim commissioning under ALMM List-I allowed during review. One-month window from June 15 clarification date (mid-July deadline, subject to portal confirmation). DISCOM delay to be recorded in writing on commissioning certificate.
• MNRE ALMM Primary Page (Primary) — mnre.gov.in — All ALMM revisions, Office Memoranda, advisory on DCR portal submission, Expert Committee formation notice, no-blanket-extension confirmation; 7th revision dated April 30, 2026
• MNRE Office Memorandum, May 25, 2026 (Primary) — No blanket extension beyond June 1, 2026; Category I and Category II exemption criteria; DCR portal as sole submission route; no physical applications; June 30, 2026 deadline confirmed
• Mercom India, June 2026 — mercomindia.com — DCR portal URL confirmed as solardcrportal.nise.res.in; Category I and Category II criteria confirmed; documentary evidence requirements; no physical applications accepted
• TaiyangNews, June 2026 — taiyangnews.info — ALMM List-II in force June 1, 2026; total capacity 30.3 GW after 7th revision including HJT; Q1 2026 solar installations 15.3 GW (143% YoY); 2.7 GW open access up 160% YoY (Mercom India Research)
• Energetica India, June 2026 — energetica-india.net — MNRE directive on DCR portal as sole channel; electrical drawing approvals required before May 1, 2026 for Category II; 75% land possession requirement confirmed
• Down to Earth India, June 2026 — downtoearth.org.in — Cell shortage concerns from manufacturers; standalone module makers at risk; market concentration toward vertically integrated players; MNRE clarified May 25 no extension