Govt Plans to Register Only Indian Solar Panels in ALMM : RK Singh

RK Singh Announces Government's Intention to Exclusively Register Indian-Made Solar Panels in ALMM

In a significant move towards bolstering domestic solar panel manufacturing, the Indian government, under the leadership of Minister RK Singh, is working on a plan to register only Indian-made solar panels on the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). The aim is to promote the 'Make-in-India' & ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ campaign and encourage the use of solar panels composed of domestically produced cells, wafers, and polysilicon. This strategic initiative not only seeks to boost the nation's self-reliance but also protect consumers from misleading claims about the origins of their solar panels. 

The ALMM Initiative

The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is a program initiated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to encourage the growth of the domestic solar panel manufacturing industry. Its purpose is to ensure that only high-quality solar panels, produced by accredited solar panel manufacturers in India, are utilized in the country's renewable energy projects.

Minister RK Singh's Vision

We only register those players under ALMM whose cell, wafers and polysilicon are India-made," Singh said. The move will help in real 'Make-in-India'. 

Minister RK Singh, who is spearheading this initiative, has a clear vision for the future of solar panels in India. His primary objective is to restrict the inclusion of solar panels on the ALMM to those made entirely from domestically produced cells, wafers, and polysilicon. This move will not only enhance the quality of solar panels but also promote local manufacturing, creating job opportunities and reducing the country's reliance on imports.

Strategic Policy Development

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has directed its officials to formulate a policy that aligns with the government's goals. This policy will be developed over the next one to two years, followed by another policy in the subsequent 1-2 years to ensure that wafers and polysilicon used in solar panels are also domestically sourced.

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Stringent Criteria for Inclusion

To achieve this, Minister Singh has set stringent criteria for registration under the ALMM. Only entities producing cells, wafers, and polysilicon within India will be eligible for inclusion. This approach will not only promote the growth of domestic manufacturing but also improve the quality and efficiency of solar panels used in the country. 

Cracking Down on Misleading Claims

Minister RK Singh has made it clear that the practice of importing cells from abroad, assembling them domestically, and then marketing them as 'Made in India,' particularly when a significant portion of the components originates from other countries, will not be permitted. This crackdown on misleading claims will ensure transparency in the solar panel industry and protect consumers from false advertising.

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Review of the ALMM

In addition to these policy changes, Minister Singh has announced a thorough review of the ALMM to be carried out in the coming year. This review will help fine-tune the program and further strengthen its effectiveness in promoting high-quality, domestically produced solar panels. 

Conclusion

The government's commitment to registering only Indian-made solar panels in the ALMM is a significant step toward boosting the domestic solar manufacturing industry. With a strong emphasis on protecting the interests of consumers and promoting 'Make-in-India,' this initiative is poised to create a self-reliant and transparent solar panel market. By ensuring that only high-quality, locally sourced components are included in the ALMM, the government is not only promoting clean energy but also fostering economic growth and innovation in the renewable energy sector. 

Source: businessworld.in