Follow India Renewable Energy News on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights

MNRE Issues Revised Quality Control Order for Solar PV Products

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued the Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025, superseding the 2017 Solar Photovoltaics Quality Control Order.

The revised order has been notified 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. This order covers Solar PV modules, Inverters to be used in Solar PV applications and Storage Batteries.

Key Points of the Order:

1. Mandatory Standards:

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 (@ Standard Test Conditions) for solar PV modules are introduced as follows:

• 18% for Mono Crystalline Silicon and Thin-Film PV Modules.
• 17% for Poly Crystalline Silicon PV Modules.

2. Applicability:

The order applies to manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, sellers, and lessors of solar PV systems and components. Products meant exclusively for export are exempted.

3. Certification and Enforcement:

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will oversee the grant of licenses and enforcement of the order. Market surveillance will be conducted by BIS or an agency notified by BIS in consultation with MNRE.

4. Concurrent Operation:

Existing licenses under the QCO, 2017 remain valid, with renewals and new registrations governed by the QCO, 2025.

5. Penalty for Non-Compliance:

Any violation of the provisions of this order will attract penalties under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

6. Promoting Public Interest:

The updated standards and specifications will ensure the availability of safe, high-performance solar products in India’s growing renewable energy market.