India Solar News: 17 September 2026 - Rooftop Solar, ALMM, Manufacturing and Renewable Energy Updates

1. India’s Residential Rooftop Solar Market Could Reach 9–15 GW Annually

The Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) estimates that India's residential rooftop solar market could add around 9 GW to 15 GW annually between 2026 and 2030. The report identifies PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana as an important driver of residential rooftop demand.

The estimated residential rooftop opportunity is around 132 GW, with approximately 115 GW still to be deployed, creating opportunities across modules, inverters, installation and balance-of-system components.

2. Solar Module Manufacturing Capacity Under ALMM Reaches 228 GW

India's Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework continues to expand. Recent industry reporting puts listed solar module manufacturing capacity at approximately 228 GW.

MNRE's official ALMM information also shows that the List-I database was updated on 16 September 2026. ALMM compliance remains particularly important for government and government-assisted projects, as well as applicable open-access and net-metering projects.

3. West Bengal Clears a Major Floating Solar and Storage Project

A major floating solar-plus-storage development has received regulatory clearance in West Bengal. The project represents the growing use of water bodies for renewable-energy generation while combining solar generation with energy-storage technology.

Floating solar can help reduce land requirements and may provide an additional route for expanding renewable generation in densely populated regions.

4. Ahmedabad Plans Solar-Plus-Storage Development

The Ahmedabad municipal authority has floated a tender for a solar-plus-storage project. The development highlights the increasing importance of battery storage alongside solar generation, particularly where electricity demand continues beyond daylight hours.

5. Perovskite Solar Technology Gets a Major Industry Push

GREW Solar and Caelux have announced a partnership involving 4 GW of perovskite solar technology. Perovskite is attracting attention because of its potential for high efficiency and applications alongside conventional silicon PV technology.

India's renewable-energy research programme is also supporting new technologies, including perovskite solar innovation.

6. MNRE Opens Proposals for Concentrating Solar Thermal Technology

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has invited proposals to promote Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) technology for Indian industry.

The current MNRE notice was issued on 8 September 2026, with proposals being accepted until 7 October 2026. This demonstrates that India's solar technology policy is expanding beyond conventional photovoltaic generation.

7. PM Surya Ghar Continues to Drive Rooftop Solar

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana remains one of India's largest drivers of residential rooftop solar deployment. According to a Government of India update published in August 2026, the programme had crossed 50 lakh rooftop solar installations, with approximately 14.8 GW of rooftop capacity commissioned at that stage.

The programme is designed to increase household adoption of rooftop solar and reduce electricity costs through distributed clean-energy generation.

8. Kerala Crosses 2 Lakh Rooftop Solar Installations

Kerala has crossed the milestone of 2 lakh rooftop solar installations under PM Surya Ghar, according to recent reporting. The installations have added more than 1,000 MW of capacity to the state's grid.

The development demonstrates how state-level implementation can significantly influence India's residential solar expansion.

9. MNRE Updates Solar PV Module and Cell Lists

MNRE continues to update the ALMM framework. Its current notices include the 9th Revision of ALMM List-II for Solar PV Cells, dated 21 August 2026, as well as the updated List-I for solar PV modules dated 16 September 2026.

Solar developers, EPC companies and buyers should verify the latest applicable ALMM lists before finalising projects where ALMM compliance is required.

10. Net-Metering and Open-Access Projects Receive a Limited ALMM Window

MNRE has provided a limited window until 31 December 2026 for commissioning eligible net-metering and open-access renewable-energy projects under the applicable ALMM provisions.

This is an important policy development for project developers working on projects affected by the solar-cell sourcing requirements.

11. SECI Advances New Solar Procurement

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) continues to issue tenders and procurement announcements. Recent September updates include an 870 MWp module procurement tender result and a tender related to a 700 MW solar PV project at Radha Nesda in Gujarat.

12. SECI Invites Bids for 700 MW ISTS-Connected Solar Projects

SECI has issued a tender for the selection of solar power developers for setting up 700 MW of ISTS-connected solar PV projects in India through tariff-based competitive bidding.

Large-scale procurement programmes such as these contribute to continued demand for solar modules, EPC services, transmission infrastructure and project financing.

13. Agri-PV Projects Gain Attention

SECI has also invited proposals concerning agricultural land parcels for setting up Agri-PV solar power projects in Delhi. Agri-PV combines agricultural activity with solar generation and is being explored as a way to make productive use of land while generating renewable electricity.

14. Solar Installation Quality and Reliability Remain Important

As India's solar installation base grows, module reliability, installation quality and after-sales service are becoming increasingly important. Recent industry research has highlighted concerns around PV module reliability testing and risks such as microcracks.

For consumers, choosing quality components, qualified installers and appropriate warranties can be as important as comparing the initial system price.

15. Renewable Energy Is Expanding Beyond Conventional Solar

India's renewable-energy expansion is increasingly moving toward integrated systems combining solar, storage, wind and other flexible generation technologies.

This trend is particularly relevant for commercial and industrial consumers that need reliable electricity throughout the day rather than only during solar-generation hours.

16. Solar Manufacturing Policy Remains a Major Industry Focus

Domestic manufacturing continues to be a central part of India's solar-sector strategy. ALMM updates, domestic cell sourcing requirements and manufacturing incentives are influencing procurement decisions throughout the solar supply chain.

Manufacturers, distributors and EPC companies should therefore track MNRE notifications regularly before committing to large procurement or project schedules.

17. India’s Solar Opportunity Continues to Grow

The combination of residential rooftop demand, large utility-scale projects, domestic manufacturing, energy storage, floating solar, Agri-PV and emerging technologies such as perovskites is creating a broad solar ecosystem in India.

For consumers, installers, dealers and solar businesses, September 2026 developments indicate that the market is becoming increasingly diversified rather than being limited to conventional rooftop or utility-scale PV installations.

What These Developments Mean for Solar Businesses

• Rooftop installers: Residential demand is expected to remain an important growth segment.
• Solar dealers: Product availability and applicable ALMM requirements should be checked before procurement.
• EPC companies: Storage, floating solar and hybrid projects are creating additional opportunities.
• Manufacturers: Domestic-content and ALMM-related policy developments remain important.
• Consumers: System quality, warranty, installer credentials and applicable subsidy rules should be verified before installation.

Important Sources

MNRE: Official MNRE Current Notices

MNRE ALMM: Approved List of Models and Manufacturers

SECI: SECI Latest News and Tenders

Solar industry reporting: Mercom India

Conclusion

India's solar industry is entering a broader phase of development, with rooftop solar, domestic manufacturing, storage, floating solar, Agri-PV and new solar technologies developing simultaneously. For anyone planning a solar project or operating a solar business in India, keeping track of official MNRE and SECI updates is essential.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and education. Government schemes, subsidy amounts, eligibility conditions, ALMM requirements and project rules can change. Always verify the latest information through the relevant government authority before making financial or project decisions.