- You apply to the DISCOM for your site: BESCOM, MESCOM, HESCOM, GESCOM or CESC Mysuru.
- KERC sets the net-metering rules and caps — treat any cap or subsidy figure here as verify against BESCOM/KERC.
- Government-linked net metering usually needs ALMM List-I modules by exact model number.
- DCR is mandatory where the scheme requires it — notably PM Surya Ghar residential subsidy.
- The List-II cell mandate (~1 Jun 2026) is litigated, including before the Karnataka HC — confirm status as of 20 Jun 2026.
- Most BESCOM rejections are document problems — check the BOM before you order.
For a Karnataka EPC, BESCOM net metering, ALMM and DCR are three separate rules that all touch the same project. Get any one wrong and the file stalls. This guide ties them together for Karnataka, names the right DISCOM and regulator, and flags every figure you must verify against a primary source.
What ALMM, DCR and net metering mean for an EPC
For a Karnataka EPC, these three terms control whether a rooftop job gets approved and paid. They overlap but they are not the same, and a module can pass one and fail another.
ALMM
ALMM is the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, run by MNRE. List-I is approved modules: a model must be enlisted by its exact model number, not just its brand, to be used in most government-linked work. List-II is approved cells. Treat ALMM scope and dates as point-in-time and verify on the MNRE portal.
DCR
DCR means Domestic Content Requirement. A DCR module has its cells and the module itself made in India, proven by a DCR certificate from the NISE DCR portal. ALMM-listed does not equal DCR. A module can be on List-I and still not be DCR.
Net metering
Net metering lets a rooftop system feed surplus power to the grid and net it against what the site draws. In Karnataka, the DISCOM approves the connection and KERC sets the rules. The DISCOM checks your modules, meter and paperwork before it sanctions the meter.
Which Karnataka DISCOM serves your site
Your Karnataka DISCOM depends on where the site sits, not where your office is. BESCOM covers the Bengaluru region; four other DISCOMs cover the rest of the state. You apply to the one that serves the connection address.
Region boundaries are indicative and can shift. Verify the serving DISCOM for any address against BESCOM and the relevant DISCOM portal before you apply.
Why the DISCOM matters for compliance
Each Karnataka DISCOM runs feasibility, meter sanction and inspection on its own systems. The core KERC rules are common, but document formats, portals and timelines differ. Read the circulars for the DISCOM that serves the site, not just BESCOM, if your job is outside Bengaluru.
KERC net-metering rules and caps
KERC, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission, sets the net-metering rules and caps for all Karnataka DISCOMs. Any specific cap, slab or subsidy figure changes by order, so treat the numbers below as a frame and verify the live values.
What KERC controls
KERC fixes the net-metering model, the size limits tied to sanctioned load, the meter type, and the settlement of surplus units. BESCOM and the other DISCOMs apply these rules. When a KERC order changes a cap or a banking rule, every Karnataka EPC must update its quotes.
Treat all Karnataka caps and subsidy as verify-first
We do not print a fixed kilowatt cap or rupee subsidy here on purpose. These figures are revised in KERC and DISCOM orders and in the PM Surya Ghar subsidy structure. Verify every Karnataka cap and subsidy figure against BESCOM and KERC primary sources before you commit a number to a customer.
Does Karnataka net metering need ALMM List-I?
Karnataka net metering for government-linked work usually needs ALMM List-I modules, listed by exact model number. ALMM applies where the project is tied to subsidy or many tenders, and BESCOM checks the listing during approval.
Where List-I bites
If the rooftop job claims PM Surya Ghar subsidy, the module almost always must be on List-I, and it must also be DCR. For a plain commercial net-metering connection with no subsidy, the ALMM rule may be lighter. The safe move is to confirm the current requirement with BESCOM for that exact connection type.
List by model, not brand
A common trap is checking only the brand. ALMM lists models by their full model number. A maker can have some models on the list and others not. Match the exact model number on the invoice to the live MNRE list before you order.
Where DCR applies in Karnataka
DCR applies in Karnataka wherever the scheme requires domestic content — most clearly the PM Surya Ghar residential subsidy. For those jobs, the module and its cells must be made in India and backed by a DCR certificate.
PM Surya Ghar residential
A residential rooftop claiming the PM Surya Ghar subsidy needs a DCR module. Without a valid DCR certificate, the subsidy claim can be rejected even if the module is on ALMM List-I. Store the DCR certificate with the job from day one. See our ALMM and net-metering approval guide for how the two checks stack up.
Where DCR is not required
Many C&I and open-access jobs in Karnataka do not need DCR, because there is no domestic-content scheme attached. For those, a non-DCR ALMM module can be fine. Always tie the DCR question to the specific scheme and connection, not to a blanket rule.
The List-II cell mandate — litigated, verify status
The ALMM List-II cell mandate was set around 1 June 2026, but the date is litigated and not settled. Several parties asked for deferment, and ALMM and List-II deferment-related matters have been heard in court, including before the Karnataka High Court.
What List-II would change
Under List-II, the cells inside an approved module must come from an enlisted Indian cell maker. That is a deeper supply-chain check than List-I, which only covers the finished module. It can reshape which modules you can buy for government-linked work.
Confirm the current status before you order cells
Do not treat the 1 June 2026 date as a fixed fact. The Karnataka HC has heard ALMM and List-II deferment-related matters — mention this only as litigated, verify status. Confirm whether the mandate was deferred in the latest MNRE order, and check the position as of 20 June 2026, before you commit a cell-level BOM.
Keeping a BOM compliant
A compliant BOM is one where every line passes ALMM and DCR before the purchase order goes out. The cheapest fix is the check you run before you order, not after BESCOM rejects the file.
The compliance checklist
Run each module line through these checks. Treat the list as a minimum and confirm the current rules against BESCOM, KERC and the live MNRE order.
Checklist is a general guide. Confirm every item against the current MNRE order, the live ALMM list, the NISE DCR portal and BESCOM rules before you rely on it.
Common BESCOM rejection reasons
BESCOM rejects net-metering files for a short list of repeat reasons, and almost all are document problems you can catch before you submit. Knowing them turns most rejections into non-events.
- Module not on ALMM List-I — or the brand is listed but the exact model number is not.
- No DCR certificate where the job claims PM Surya Ghar subsidy.
- Model-number mismatch between the invoice, the datasheet and the live MNRE list.
- Serial or RFID mismatch — installed serials do not match the invoice or the ALMM record.
- Wrong meter or inverter — a meter type or inverter BESCOM does not accept.
- Plant size over sanction — capacity above the sanctioned load or the KERC cap (verify).
When a file is stuck, work back through these one by one. Our guide on a net-metering file stuck on ALMM or DCR walks through the fix in order.
Documents for a net-metering application
A BESCOM net-metering file needs a consistent document set where every number matches. A mismatch between two papers is enough to send the file back.
The core set
- Module invoice with exact model numbers and serials.
- ALMM listing proof for each model on the live MNRE list.
- DCR certificate from the NISE portal, where subsidy applies.
- BIS / IS 14286 registration proof for the modules.
- Inverter and meter datasheets in the accepted formats.
- Sanctioned-load and ownership proof for the connection.
Exact formats and any extra forms vary by DISCOM and by KERC order, so check the current BESCOM checklist for the serving DISCOM. Keep one source of truth for serials so the installed units always match the paperwork.
C&I vs residential in Karnataka
C&I and residential rooftop jobs follow different compliance paths in Karnataka, mainly because of DCR and subsidy. Mixing them up is a common, costly mistake.
Residential with subsidy
A residential PM Surya Ghar job almost always needs a DCR module on ALMM List-I. The subsidy is the reason the domestic-content rule applies. Plan the BOM around DCR availability from the start, because DCR modules can be tighter on supply.
C&I without subsidy
A C&I rooftop with no subsidy usually does not need DCR, though ALMM may still apply for net metering. The client cares about generation and payback, so non-DCR ALMM modules are often the better commercial fit. Confirm the connection type with BESCOM before you lock the BOM.
How SuryaHub helps a Karnataka EPC
SuryaHub maps these checks onto two modules an EPC uses every day. Its procurement and BOM module checks every module line against ALMM and DCR before the order, and stores the DCR certificate, serials and datasheets on the job. Its government-workflows module runs the BESCOM net-metering and subsidy steps so nothing that gates approval slips. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and the figures here are scheme facts to verify, not guarantees.
Catch ALMM/DCR gaps before you order
See how SuryaHub checks each BOM and runs the BESCOM net-metering workflow.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does BESCOM net metering need ALMM List-I modules?+
BESCOM net metering for government-linked work usually needs ALMM List-I modules, listed by exact model number. ALMM applies where the project is tied to subsidy or many tenders. Always confirm the current rule with BESCOM and the live MNRE order, because ALMM scope and dates change often.
Which Karnataka DISCOM handles my net-metering application?+
Your Karnataka DISCOM depends on the site location. BESCOM covers the Bengaluru region, MESCOM the coast, HESCOM the north-west, GESCOM the north-east, and CESC Mysuru the Mysuru region. You apply to the DISCOM that serves the connection address, and rules can vary slightly between them.
Is DCR mandatory for solar in Karnataka?+
DCR is mandatory in Karnataka where the scheme requires domestic content, most notably PM Surya Ghar residential subsidy. DCR means the module and its cells are made in India, proven by a DCR certificate. Many C&I and open-access jobs do not need DCR. Confirm the requirement against the scheme and BESCOM.
When does the ALMM List-II cell mandate start in Karnataka?+
The ALMM List-II cell mandate was set around 1 June 2026, but the date faced deferment requests and court matters, including before the Karnataka High Court. Treat the start date as litigated and not settled. Confirm the current status as of 20 June 2026 against the latest MNRE order before you order cells.
Why does BESCOM reject net-metering applications?+
BESCOM rejects net-metering files for missing ALMM listing, no DCR certificate where subsidy applies, model numbers that do not match the live list, serial or invoice mismatches, wrong meter type, or plant size above the sanctioned load. Most rejections are document problems you can prevent by checking the BOM first.
Do C&I rooftop projects in Karnataka need DCR modules?+
C&I rooftop projects in Karnataka usually do not need DCR modules, because DCR is tied to schemes with a domestic-content rule like PM Surya Ghar residential subsidy. A C&I client without subsidy can often use non-DCR ALMM modules. Confirm the connection type and any scheme link with BESCOM before you order.
How does SuryaHub help a Karnataka EPC stay compliant?+
SuryaHub checks every BOM against ALMM and DCR before the order, stores the DCR certificate, serials and BESCOM paperwork on the job, and runs the net-metering workflow so nothing that gates approval is missed. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL.
Sources & references
Net-metering, ALMM and DCR rules come from primary government and regulator sources. Karnataka-specific caps, subsidy and dates change often, so confirm the live position with BESCOM, KERC and the current MNRE order before you act.
- BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company) ↗
The Bengaluru-area DISCOM that runs net metering and feasibility approval on the ground.
- Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) ↗
Sets net-metering rules, caps and tariff orders for all Karnataka DISCOMs. Verify the exact KERC URL and the live order.
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ↗
Publishes ALMM orders and List-I/List-II. Verify the current order and live list.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MNRE, BESCOM & KERC sources · updated 20 June 2026.
Method: ALMM, DCR and net-metering rules are taken from the primary sources above and re-checked every 30 days. Karnataka caps, subsidy and the List-II date are point-in-time and litigated — verify each against BESCOM, KERC and the live MNRE order. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 20 Jun 2026 — first published.