A sudden change in government rules has put 12 GW of solar power projects, worth about ₹72,000 crore, under uncertainty.
The problem began late last year when the Centre ordered developers to use only locally made solar panels from its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). These panels are costlier, so developers quoted higher prices in solar auctions held between December and July, winning projects totaling 12 GW.
But there was a catch. Since India urgently needs to expand solar capacity and such panels are in short supply, the government later waived this rule for those projects.
Instead of helping, this has now trapped developers, because state power distribution companies (discoms) are refusing to buy electricity at the higher price that was quoted earlier, saying cheaper panels can be used now.
At the core of the issue is the ALMM list, created to ensure high-quality, made-in-India panels are used in solar projects. But local production still hasn’t caught up with India’s fast-growing demand, forcing the government to temporarily relax its rules.
The government has made it clear that, from June 1, 2026, all projects must use ALMM-listed panels. But until then, developers who won bids between December and July remain stuck in a policy trap, unsure how to move forward.
Source
https://menafn.com/1110046238/Sun-Stroke-For-Solar-Projects-Change-In-Rule-Traps-Developers
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