BEE registration is how India confirms that an appliance or piece of equipment meets national energy-efficiency standards and is allowed to carry the BEE label. For many product categories it is mandatory before the product can be sold, and the scheme now reaches the solar sector too: grid-connected solar inverters have been brought under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Standards and Labeling program.
What is BEE registration?
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, runs the Standards and Labeling (S&L) program. Under this program, a product is tested for its energy performance and, once registered, carries a BEE label that tells buyers how efficient it is. The label is mandatory for several notified categories, such as room air conditioners, refrigerators and distribution transformers, and voluntary for others until they are notified as mandatory.
The goal is simple: make energy use visible at the point of sale, push the market toward efficient products, and cut both running costs for users and overall energy demand.
Star label or endorsement label?
BEE uses two kinds of labels:
- Star rating label – a 1 to 5 star mark, where more stars mean higher efficiency. This is the familiar label on air conditioners, refrigerators and similar appliances.
- Endorsement label – used where products sit within a narrow, tightly specified efficiency band. Here the label verifies that the product meets or exceeds the minimum efficiency, rather than ranking it 1 to 5. Grid-connected solar inverters fall in this group.
BEE for grid-connected solar inverters
BEE launched the Standards and Labeling program for grid-connected solar inverters on 15 March 2024 (Schedule 38), starting with a voluntary phase. It sets a minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) for the inverter and gives qualifying models a BEE endorsement label.
What it covers: grid-connected (on-grid) solar inverters without storage, rated up to 100 kW, in single-phase (230 V, 50 Hz) and three-phase (up to 415 V, 50 Hz) form. Off-grid and hybrid or battery inverters are not covered in this phase.
BIS comes first
To join the BEE program, a solar inverter must already hold BIS certification to IS 16221-2:2015 (the safety standard for solar inverters). BEE efficiency registration builds on that safety certification, so the BIS mark is a prerequisite, not an alternative.
Minimum efficiency. The required efficiency rises with the inverter's rated capacity. The bands notified under the program are:
| Rated capacity | Minimum efficiency |
|---|---|
| Below 1 kW | 92% |
| 1 kW to under 3 kW | 93% |
| 3 kW to under 5 kW | 95% |
| 5 kW to under 10 kW | 96% |
| 10 kW to under 20 kW | 97% |
| 20 kW and above (up to 100 kW) | Top band in the current schedule (reported around 98%) |
Efficiency is verified by testing to IS 17980:2022 / IEC 62891:2020 at an accredited laboratory (for example, NABL-accredited or government-recognized labs such as NISE). The endorsement label then shows the verified efficiency, the model number, the manufacturer, the rated output and a validity period.
The program began as voluntary and has been notified to move to a mandatory footing, with grid-connected solar inverters among the products requiring the label from 1 January 2026. Because transition dates and the exact scope are periodically revised, manufacturers should confirm the current status against the official BEE notification before planning a launch.
Who needs BEE registration?
- Manufacturers of notified products, including grid-connected solar inverters.
- Importers and brand owners placing such products on the Indian market.
- Foreign manufacturers, who register through an authorized representative in India.
- EPC companies and installers, in practice, since projects linked to net-metering or subsidy schemes such as PM Surya Ghar increasingly expect BIS-certified, BEE-labeled inverters.
The BEE registration process
While the exact steps vary by product and are periodically updated, registration generally follows this path:
- Company registration on the BEE S&L portal, where the manufacturer, importer or brand owner creates a profile and submits company documents.
- Product testing of a sample at a BEE-recognized or accredited laboratory, against the standard that applies to the product.
- Model registration on the portal, submitting the test report and the product's technical details.
- Review and grant of the label by BEE, either a star rating or, for solar inverters, an endorsement label.
- Affix the label and maintain compliance, keeping production consistent with the tested sample and re-registering or retesting when the design changes or the label period ends.
Documents typically required
- Certificate of incorporation or business registration.
- GST registration and authorized signatory details.
- ISO 9001 quality certificate, where applicable.
- Trademark or brand registration.
- Product technical documentation and specifications.
- Test report from a BEE-recognized or accredited laboratory.
- For solar inverters, the BIS certificate to IS 16221-2:2015.
- For foreign manufacturers, an authorization letter and authorized Indian representative details.
Standards and testing at a glance
- IS 16221-2:2015 – safety of solar inverters, certified by BIS and required before BEE registration.
- IS 17980:2022 / IEC 62891:2020 – the basis for testing solar inverter efficiency under the BEE program.
- Product-specific BEE schedules – each notified appliance has its own schedule and efficiency table, which BEE revises over time.
Why BEE registration matters
- Legal to sell – for mandatory categories, the BEE label is a condition for placing the product on the market.
- Market and tender access – many tenders, net-metering approvals and subsidy schemes expect labeled, certified products.
- Buyer trust – a BEE label is independent proof of verified efficiency.
- Lower running costs – higher-efficiency equipment reduces energy losses over a long service life.
- Competitive edge – labeled products are preferred over unlabeled ones in a market moving steadily toward efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- BEE registration under the Standards and Labeling program certifies a product's energy efficiency and lets it carry the BEE label.
- Grid-connected solar inverters up to 100 kW were brought under the program on 15 March 2024, with the label notified as mandatory from 1 January 2026.
- A solar inverter needs BIS certification to IS 16221-2:2015 before it can be registered with BEE.
- Efficiency is tested to IS 17980:2022 / IEC 62891:2020, with minimum efficiency rising by capacity band.
- Registration runs from company profile to lab testing, model registration and the grant of the label.
Sources & References
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency – Standards and Labeling program for Grid Connected Solar Inverters (launch note, Schedule 38): beeindia.gov.in
- Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Power – launch of the Grid Connected Solar Inverter S&L program (15 March 2024): pib.gov.in
- BEE Standards & Labeling portal and current product schedules: beestarlabel.com
This page is general information for businesses and is not legal or regulatory advice. BEE schedules, minimum efficiency tables, labeling fees, transition dates and the list of mandatory products are set by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and are revised from time to time. Always verify current requirements against the official BEE notifications and Schedule 38, or speak with our team, before acting.
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