MNRE Notifies New Quality Standards For Solar Modules, Batteries etc
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) on January 27 notified a revised Quality Control Order (QCO) titled ‘Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025’ for Solar PV modules, Inverters to be used in Solar PV applications and Storage Batteries. The notification aims to promote product reliability, ensure safety, and supporting India’s ambitious renewable energy targets.
A press release from MNRE stated, ‘The revised QCO, 2025 introduces detailed testing and efficiency requirements for solar PV technologies, including crystalline silicon and thin-film photovoltaic modules. It also specifies rigorous safety measures for inverters and storage batteries to meet global standards.’
The new QCO replaces the earlier ‘Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices, and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017’ that is in effect currently. It comes into effect 6 months after being notified in the Gazette of India.
The new QCD pplies to manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, sellers and lessor of solar PV systems and components, while exempting products meant for export. It lays down minimum effeciency criteria for solar PV modules at 18% for mono crystalline silicon and thin-film PV modules and 17% for poly crystalline silicon PV modules.
The QCD lays down that all solar PV modules, inverters, and storage battries must conform to the latest Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards and carry the ISI mark on them. The onus of overseeing these benchmark has been entrusted to BIS. BIS will also oversee the grant of licences. Any violation of the provisions of the order will be dealt with under the BIS Act, 2016.
