MNRE Unveils Revised BIS Series Approval Guidelines for Solar Modules: Key Changes Explained Published By Anupam Nath The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued revised guidelines for series approval of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) registration process. Announced on December 29, 2025, these updates stem from the 'Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025,' aiming to streamline testing while upholding quality standards for India's booming solar sector. This revision addresses longstanding challenges in certifying diverse module variants, reducing redundant tests and costs for manufacturers. Previously, each wattage variant required individual scrutiny, slowing market entry. Now, a "product family" approach allows a single test report to cover multiple models derived from a highest-configuration base, provided they share core design, materials, and processes. Product Family and Minimum Test SetA product family comprises modules with identical construction, components, and compliance pathways, differentiated only by power ratings or minor bins per IEC TS 62915. Manufacturers must submit at least two samples each from the lower-end, median, and higher-end power classes within the proposed range. If no median exists, the next higher class substitutes. Testing labs charge fees solely for these representatives—six modules total—and extend the report to untested variants, including their product labels. For extensions to additional "bins," label verification uses end-bin modules, with one-sided checks for unidirectional expansions. This cuts testing time by up to 70%, benefiting small and mid-sized Indian manufacturers competing against global giants. Fewer-cell variants skip retesting if design, materials, and processes match the fully tested family, enabling quick launches of size-adjusted models without full recertification. Efficiency and Marking MandatesLicensing demands the lowest and highest family samples meet the Quality Control Order's (QCO) minimum efficiency at Standard Test Conditions (STC). Median modules may skip direct measurement if belonging to the same IEC 62915 family with identical areas to extremes. For fewer-cell types, self-declared laminate efficiency suffices, with labs calculating based on area and Pmax, annexing electrical drawings. Marking rules are stringent: All modules require indelible, laminated-glass inscriptions for manufacturer, model, serial number, nominal wattage (±3% tolerance), origin, STC efficiency per QCO, and brand. Back-label Pmax is mandatory. Labs reject unmarked modules. Thin-film gets placement flexibility but permanence is non-negotiable. Exemptions and Change ProtocolsModules from 0.2W to 20W for solar luminaires (and up to 5W for lanterns) follow IS 16476 (Part 1) temporarily, excluded from series guidelines until BIS crafts 5-20W standards. This protects off-grid lighting markets vital for rural India. Bill of Materials (BOM) or process changes trigger retesting per IS/IEC 62915:2023, using latest QCO-cited IS versions. Labs may sequence IS 14286/IEC 61215 and IS/IEC 61730 separately or combined, issuing distinct reports. These guidelines fortify India's solar ecosystem amid 2025's aggressive 500 GW renewable target. By balancing efficiency with practicality, MNRE fosters innovation while curbing substandard imports—crucial as domestic capacity hits 100 GW+. Solar firms must adapt swiftly for compliance and competitiveness.
