In India, solar PV products cannot be freely manufactured, imported, or sold unless they carry valid BIS certification. For any manufacturer or importer entering the solar market, understanding this requirement is the first real step toward doing business legally.

What is BIS certification for solar?

BIS stands for the Bureau of Indian Standards, the national standards body of India. For solar products, certification is handled under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). Under this scheme, notified products must be registered with BIS and must carry the BIS Standard Mark before they can be placed on the Indian market.

Solar photovoltaic products were brought under this framework by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) through the Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order. In short: if your product falls under the notified list, registration is mandatory, not optional.

Which standards apply to solar modules?

Solar PV modules are tested against a defined set of Indian Standards, most of which are aligned with international IEC standards. The key ones include:

  • IS 14286 (aligned with IEC 61215) – design qualification and type approval for crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules.
  • IS/IEC 61730 (Parts 1 & 2) – PV module safety qualification, covering construction requirements and testing.
  • IS 16221 – safety-related requirements for PV modules.

Regulatory expectations have tightened over time. The Quality Control Order updates introduced in 2025 reinforced that crystalline silicon and thin-film modules must comply with the current versions of these standards, so it is important to test against the latest applicable revision rather than an older one.

Who needs BIS certification?

The requirement applies broadly across the supply chain:

  • Domestic manufacturers of solar PV modules and notified components.
  • Foreign manufacturers who want to supply into the Indian market.
  • Importers and brand owners selling notified solar products in India.

The BIS registration process, step by step

While the exact paperwork varies by product, the overall path is consistent:

  1. Identify the applicable standard for your specific product and model.
  2. Get the product tested at a BIS-recognized laboratory and obtain a conforming test report.
  3. Prepare the application with factory details, technical documentation, and the test report.
  4. Submit the application through the BIS registration portal.
  5. Receive the grant of registration along with a unique registration number (R-number) once BIS is satisfied.
  6. Apply the BIS Standard Mark to your registered products.

Why this matters for ALMM

Valid BIS certification is a prerequisite for ALMM enlistment. Getting your BIS registration right is the foundation for later selling into government-backed solar projects, so it pays to treat it carefully from the start.

Validity and renewal

A BIS registration is granted for a defined period and must be renewed to remain valid. Historically the term has been around two years, though recent regulatory amendments have moved toward longer validity periods with renewal. Because these timelines are periodically revised, always confirm the current validity and renewal window against the official BIS notification that applies to your product.

Why BIS certification is worth getting right

  • Legal market access – without it, notified products cannot be legally sold in India.
  • Quality assurance – certification signals that products meet recognized safety and performance benchmarks.
  • Gateway to ALMM – it is a building block for wider government-scheme eligibility.
  • Customer confidence – the Standard Mark is a trust signal for buyers and developers.

Key Takeaways

  • Solar PV products are covered under BIS's Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS).
  • Testing must be carried out at a BIS-recognized laboratory.
  • Modules are assessed against IS 14286 and IS/IEC 61730 among other standards.
  • Registration must be renewed before it expires to stay valid.

Sources & References

  1. Bureau of Indian Standards – Compulsory Registration Scheme portal: crsbis.in
  2. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE): mnre.gov.in
  3. Bureau of Indian Standards – products under compulsory certification: bis.gov.in

This article is general information for solar businesses and is not legal or regulatory advice. Standards, fees, and timelines are periodically revised. Always verify current requirements against official BIS and MNRE notifications, or speak with a qualified compliance advisor before acting.

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