- For subsidy, the module must be on ALMM List-I with BIS IS 14286.
- From 1 June 2026, the cell inside must be on ALMM List-II (verify).
- The inverter must meet the BIS grid-tie standard (IS 16221 — verify) and MNRE rules.
- Subsidised jobs need DCR cells and modules; non-ALMM/non-DCR = subsidy rejected.
- Check the DISCOM approved-make list too — some only allow listed makes.
Picking the wrong panel or inverter is one of the fastest ways to lose a PM Surya Ghar subsidy. The system can run fine, but if the module is not on the ALMM list or the parts are non-DCR, the claim fails. This guide gives EPC procurement and design teams a clear, compliant way to spec every job.
What makes a PM Surya Ghar quote subsidy-eligible
A PM Surya Ghar quote is subsidy-eligible only when every major part meets the scheme rules: an ALMM-listed module, the right cell origin, BIS certification, an approved grid-tie inverter, and a DISCOM-accepted make. Miss any one and the subsidy claim can be rejected even if the install is technically sound.
Think of compliance as a chain. The homeowner gets the central financial assistance only after a joint inspection and net-meter installation confirm the system matches the approved spec. So your procurement decisions made weeks earlier decide whether the subsidy lands. The subsidy rejection guide lists the faults that void a claim.
How to choose subsidy-compliant modules
Choose a module that appears on the current ALMM List-I and carries BIS IS 14286 certification. That is the baseline for any subsidised PM Surya Ghar job. Beyond that, you match wattage and size to the roof and the sanctioned system size.
Match the module to the roof and the design
Pick a wattage and panel count that fit the usable roof area and the target kilowatt-peak. For a typical 3 kW home system, that is a small number of high-wattage modules. Keep the layout simple so the crew can install and earth it cleanly.
Save proof at the time of ordering
Take dated screenshots of the ALMM listing and keep the BIS certificate with the project file. Lists change, and a model that was listed last quarter may not be listed now. Proof at the time of purchase protects the claim.
Standardise on a short list of compliant modules rather than choosing fresh for every job. A small, vetted set keeps procurement fast, lets you buy in volume, and reduces the chance of a one-off non-compliant part slipping into a quote. Review the list each time the ALMM lists update, and drop any model that falls off List-I or whose cell is not on List-II for jobs after the cut-over.
ALMM List-I vs List-II and the 1 June 2026 change
ALMM List-I covers approved solar modules, and ALMM List-II covers approved solar cells. For PM Surya Ghar, the module must be on List-I today. From 1 June 2026, the cell inside that module must also come from List-II for subsidised projects (verify the go-live date against MNRE).
This matters for procurement because a module can be List-I approved yet use a cell that is not on List-II. After the cut-over, that combination would not qualify for subsidy. Ask your supplier to confirm, in writing, that the cells in your modules are List-II compliant for jobs commissioned on or after the go-live date.
Why the cell rule was added
The cell rule pushes more of the panel value to domestic manufacturing. For EPCs, the practical effect is a tighter supplier check: you now verify two lists, not one. Our ALMM and DCR modules guide explains both lists in full.
DCR vs non-DCR cells for subsidised work
Subsidised PM Surya Ghar jobs need DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) cells and modules; non-DCR parts are not subsidy-eligible. DCR means the cells and modules are made in India to the scheme's content rules. Non-DCR parts may be cheaper, but they void the subsidy.
There is a limited "Give It Up" route where a customer foregoes the subsidy and may then use non-List-II cells for projects commissioned up to 31 March 2027 (verify this window against MNRE). That path only makes sense when the customer does not want the subsidy. For the full comparison, see the DCR vs non-DCR decision guide.
BIS standards for solar modules
Solar modules for PM Surya Ghar should meet BIS standard IS 14286, the Indian standard for crystalline-silicon PV modules. The BIS mark or certificate confirms the module passed safety and performance tests. Inspectors check this at the joint inspection.
Keep the BIS certificate that matches the exact model number you installed. A certificate for a different model in the same family can be questioned. Standards and certificate numbers change, so verify the current IS number with BIS before you finalise the bill of materials.
How to choose the inverter
Choose a grid-tie inverter that meets the BIS grid-tie standard, carries the required protection features, and appears on the MNRE-approved or DISCOM-approved list where one exists. Size it to the array and the home's needs, and decide on-grid versus hybrid up front.
On-grid or hybrid?
Most PM Surya Ghar homes use an on-grid inverter with net metering. A hybrid inverter adds battery support but costs more and changes the wiring and metering. Match the choice to what the customer actually needs, not to the highest-margin option.
Size the inverter to the array
Match the inverter's rated capacity to the panel array and the home's needs, within the maker's recommended ratio. An inverter that is too small clips output on bright days; one that is too large wastes money. Confirm the inverter supports the array's voltage and string layout before you order, so the design holds together at install.
Confirm warranty and service support
Pick an inverter brand with real service support in the area, because the inverter is the part most likely to need attention over the system's life. A compliant inverter with no local service is a future headache for both the customer and your AMC team. Keep the warranty terms with the project file alongside the BIS certificate.
BIS and MNRE rules for inverters
Grid-tie inverters for PM Surya Ghar should meet the BIS grid-tie inverter standard, commonly IS 16221, with anti-islanding protection per CEA norms. Anti-islanding stops the inverter from feeding the grid during an outage, which protects line workers.
The exact standard number and any MNRE approved-model rules can change, so verify the current requirement with BIS, MNRE and the ALMM orders. Keep the inverter test report and BIS certificate in the project file. The safety and structural compliance guide covers earthing, surge protection and wiring that the same inspection checks.
DISCOM-approved equipment lists
Many DISCOMs keep their own approved-make lists for modules, inverters and meters, and only allow listed makes for net metering. Always check the local DISCOM list before you order, because a part that is ALMM and BIS compliant can still be blocked if the make is not on the DISCOM list.
DISCOM lists differ by state and update often. Confirm the current list on the DISCOM portal or circular for the area where you will install, and keep a dated copy with the project file in case the net-metering team asks for it.
If you work across several DISCOMs, keep a simple record of which makes each one allows, so your design team picks an accepted make from the start. A meter is part of this too — some DISCOMs specify the net meter make or supply it themselves, so confirm the meter rule for the area before you plan the install.
Compliance spec checklist — approved-equipment decision table
Use this checklist before you lock any bill of materials. For each component it shows the required standard or list, the proof you must keep, and what happens to the subsidy if it is missing.
Source: MNRE ALMM orders, BIS standards and DISCOM circulars. Standards and lists change — verify against primary sources before ordering.
A simple procurement workflow
Follow a fixed order of checks so nothing slips. The flow below moves from the subsidy decision to a locked, fully documented bill of materials.
Confirm subsidy path first
Decide DCR (subsidised) or non-DCR with the customer before you spec parts. The path sets which modules and cells you may use.
Check the ALMM lists
Match every module to a model on ALMM List-I, and confirm the cell origin against List-II for jobs from 1 June 2026. Save screenshots with dates.
Verify BIS for module and inverter
Confirm the module carries IS 14286 and the inverter meets the BIS grid-tie standard (IS 16221 — verify the current number). Keep the certificates.
Cross-check the DISCOM list
Confirm your chosen makes appear on the local DISCOM approved-equipment list, because some DISCOMs only allow listed makes for net metering.
Lock the BOM and file proofs
Freeze the bill of materials, attach all certificates and list screenshots, and keep them with the project file for the joint inspection and claim.
A documented bill of materials also helps at the joint inspection, where mismatched or uncertified parts are a common reason a system fails the final check.
How SuryaHub helps you spec compliant jobs
SuryaHub keeps your approved bill of materials, ALMM and BIS proofs, and DISCOM lists with each project, so the right parts are quoted and the certificates are ready at inspection. Your design and procurement teams work from one procurement and inventory view, which links to the government workflow steps that gate the subsidy. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and figures here are scheme facts, not guarantees.
Quote only compliant parts
See how SuryaHub ties your BOM to ALMM, BIS and DISCOM proofs.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Which panels are approved for PM Surya Ghar?+
PM Surya Ghar approves solar modules listed on ALMM List-I. From 1 June 2026, the cells inside those modules must also come from ALMM List-II for subsidised jobs. The module should carry BIS IS 14286 certification. Always verify the current model on the ALMM list before you order.
What is the difference between ALMM List-I and List-II?+
ALMM List-I covers approved solar modules, while ALMM List-II covers approved solar cells. For PM Surya Ghar, the module must be on List-I, and from 1 June 2026 the cell inside it must be on List-II for subsidised projects. Verify both lists against MNRE before procurement.
Which inverter is approved for PM Surya Ghar?+
PM Surya Ghar needs a grid-tie inverter that meets the BIS standard for grid-connected inverters, commonly IS 16221, and has the required anti-islanding protection. Many DISCOMs also keep an approved-make list. Verify the current BIS number and the DISCOM list before you buy.
What happens if I use a non-ALMM panel for PM Surya Ghar?+
If you use a non-ALMM or non-DCR panel on a subsidised PM Surya Ghar job, the subsidy claim is rejected. The system may still work, but the customer loses the central financial assistance. Always confirm the module is on the current ALMM list before installation.
Does PM Surya Ghar require BIS certified equipment?+
Yes. PM Surya Ghar expects BIS certified equipment. Modules should meet IS 14286 and grid-tie inverters should meet the BIS grid-tie standard, commonly IS 16221. BIS certificates are checked at joint inspection. Verify the current standards with BIS and MNRE before you finalise the bill of materials.
How does SuryaHub help with equipment compliance?+
SuryaHub stores your approved bill of materials, ALMM and BIS proofs, and DISCOM lists with each project, so the right parts are quoted and the certificates are ready at inspection. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL.
Sources & references
Equipment rules, ALMM lists and BIS standards come from primary government sources. The ALMM List-II go-live (1 June 2026), list revisions and approved standards change — verify against MNRE, the ALMM orders and BIS before you order.
- National Portal for PM Surya Ghar ↗
Scheme rules on eligible equipment and the subsidy claim process.
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ↗
ALMM List-I and List-II orders and approved-model rules.
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) ↗
IS standards for solar modules and grid-tie inverters.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MNRE, ALMM & BIS sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: Equipment and standard rules are taken from the government sources above and re-checked every 30 days. The ALMM List-II date and BIS numbers are flagged to verify. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.