India to expand ALMM to cover solar ingots, wafers; new support scheme in works

New Delhi: India is preparing to expand the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) to cover solar ingots and wafers and will introduce a new support mechanism to strengthen domestic manufacturing, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday.

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Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Green Hydrogen R&D conference, Joshi said, “We have already created capacities for manufacturing 25 GW of solar cells and the ALMM is also approved. We have crossed 100 GW in solar module production capacity within the country. As far as ingots and wafers are concerned, we want to bring that under ALMM too, that is Swadeshi ingots and Swadeshi wafers, Swadeshi cells and Swadeshi modules.”

Support scheme planned for ingots, wafers

On being asked if the government is planning another PLI scheme for solar ingots and wafers, the minister said, “I cannot call it PLI, but there will be another support system.” He added that the trajectory for creating a pathway for domestic ingot and wafer production is “almost finalised.”

Earlier in the day, at the State Review Meeting on Renewable Energy, Joshi said India is moving beyond modules to develop domestic capacity for wafers and ingots as well, with the aim of establishing the entire solar manufacturing ecosystem within the country. “This step will not only reduce import dependence but also generate employment, boost investment, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing,” he said, according to a ministry statement.

Current ALMM and manufacturing base

At present, the ALMM order is in force for solar modules, while its applicability for cells is expected to take effect in June 2026. India has built up 100 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity and 25 GW of solar cell capacity, supported by Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and the ALMM mandate.

PLI schemes have helped bridge the viability gap for setting up new facilities, while ALMM has ensured offtake of solar PV equipment by requiring renewable projects awarded by government agencies to use approved models.

However, India’s domestic ingot and wafer manufacturing capacity is limited to around 2 GW, leaving the country heavily dependent on imports from China, which currently accounts for about half of India’s solar cells and modules.

Role in 2030 clean energy target

The move to expand ALMM is part of India’s broader plan to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, of which solar will contribute 300 GW. A Swadeshi value chain spanning ingots, wafers, cells, and modules is seen as critical to cutting import dependence and securing the supply chain as solar’s role expands in the country’s energy transition.

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