ALMM List-III 2026 update: what changed and who got added
MNRE's May 2026 ALMM List-III update adds 12 GW of newly certified module capacity and removes 1.8 GW from non-compliant producers. The update brings total ALMM-listed capacity to over 100 GW. Eight new producers cleared, including three with under 1 GW capacity.
In 50 words: MNRE's May 2026 ALMM List-III update adds 12 GW of newly certified module capacity from eight producers and removes 1.8 GW from non-compliant suppliers. The list now tops 100 GW total — but the cell-list addition is the more consequential coming change, expected by Q3 2026.
What's in the update
The May 2026 ALMM List-III revision adds:
- 8 new module producers, totalling 12 GW of certified capacity
- 3 of the 8 are sub-1 GW players — meaningful for the long tail
- Removes 1.8 GW from producers who failed re-certification audits
What's not in (yet)
The cell list — the more consequential regulatory move — is still pending. MNRE has signalled Q3 2026 for the first ALMM List of Approved Cells. That list will determine which cell suppliers qualify for India's domestic-content requirements under government-supported tenders.
Practical impact
For developers bidding in SECI and state utility tenders, the May update:
- Expands the choice set of qualified module suppliers
- Reduces single-vendor dependency risk on top-3 producers
- Does NOT change the cell-supply situation — imports remain dominant
What to watch next
The ALMM List of Approved Cells, when it lands, will be the single most consequential renewables policy move of 2026 in India. Watch for the inclusion criteria, transition periods, and which Chinese vs Indian cell producers qualify for the first list.
Researched and drafted with AI assistance; reviewed and edited by the named editor within 24 hours of draft.