BIS Certification for Solar Modules

In India, solar PV modules cannot be freely manufactured, imported, or sold unless they carry valid BIS certification under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). For any manufacturer, importer, or brand owner entering the solar market, getting this certification right is the first real step toward doing business legally.

What is BIS certification for solar modules?

BIS stands for the Bureau of Indian Standards, the national standards body of India. Solar photovoltaic modules fall under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which means every notified module must be registered with BIS and carry the BIS Standard Mark before it can be placed on the Indian market.

The requirement was brought in by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to keep low-quality modules out of the market and protect India's renewable energy goals. In short, if your module falls under the notified list, registration is mandatory, not optional.

Which Indian 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 (2023): design qualification and type approval for crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules.
• IS/IEC 61730 Part 1 & Part 2 (2023): PV module safety qualification, covering construction requirements and safety testing.
• IS 16077: applicable to thin-film photovoltaic modules.

Because these requirements are periodically revised, it is important to test against the current applicable revision rather than an older one.

Why BIS certification is mandatory

India's solar market has grown rapidly, and cheap, unregulated modules once threatened the sector. BIS certification gives buyers, developers and authorities confidence that a module is safe, performs as promised, and will not cause problems on the grid. Without it, notified modules cannot legally be imported, marketed, or installed in India, regardless of brand or quality claims.

Who needs solar module certification?

The requirement applies right across the supply chain:

• Indian manufacturers of solar PV modules.
• Foreign manufacturers who want to supply into the Indian market, through an Authorised Indian Representative.
• Importers and brand owners selling notified solar modules in India.

The licence is always granted to the manufacturer. Importers cannot hold it themselves, but they can support a foreign manufacturer by acting as the Authorised Indian Representative (AIR).

The certification process, step by step

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

1. Identify the applicable standard for your specific module type and model.
2. Get the module 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 CRS portal.
5. BIS review and verification of the documents and test results.
6. Grant of registration with a unique R-number, after which you can apply the BIS Standard Mark.

Documents typically required

• Module datasheet and electrical specifications.
• Bill of Materials (BOM) and construction details.
• Label artwork and product drawings.
• Manufacturing or business licence and ISO certificate.
• Trademark details, where applicable.
• Authorisation letter, and AIR documents for foreign manufacturers.

Incomplete or incorrect documentation is the most common cause of delay, so it pays to prepare this carefully.

Benefits of certification

• Legal market access: notified modules can be sold in India only with valid BIS registration.
• Quality assurance: certification signals that your module meets recognized safety and performance benchmarks.
• Gateway to ALMM and tenders: it is a building block for government schemes, subsidies and large projects.
• Customer confidence: the Standard Mark is a trust signal for EPC contractors, developers and buyers.
• Protection: it keeps you clear of customs rejections, penalties and project delays.

How Deep Yog Solar helps

Deep Yog Solar manages the complete solar module certification journey: identifying the right standard, coordinating sample testing at BIS-recognized labs, preparing and filing your application, acting as or coordinating the Authorised Indian Representative for foreign manufacturers, and following up with BIS through to the grant of registration. Once your BIS registration is in place, we also support ALMM enlistment so you are ready for government-backed projects.

This page 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 our team before acting.