India’s ALMM Expansion: What It Means for European Solar Supply

India’s MNRE has expanded the ALMM List-II for solar cells to 27.8GW, and added HJT cells for the first time.

The Protectionist Shift and Global Supply Chain Shifts

India’s expansion of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is more than just domestic policy; it is a signal of a hardening global trade environment. By formalizing support for HJT (Heterojunction) technology within its protected market, India is signaling that it intends to move up the value chain rapidly, reducing dependence on imports while simultaneously incentivizing domestic manufacturing scale.

Why This Matters for European Installers

For European solar installers, this development is a double-edged sword. On one hand, India’s aggressive localization reduces the volume of components available for the global market, potentially keeping prices for high-efficiency cells like HJT tighter than they might otherwise be. On the other hand, as India matures its manufacturing capabilities, it creates a viable alternative to the current Chinese-dominated supply chain. European installers who are currently struggling with the volatility of EU-China trade relations should keep a close eye on the quality and pricing emerging from India’s subsidized HJT ecosystem.

Diversification is non-negotiable: Relying on a single manufacturing hub is a liability. India’s push into HJT suggests a new, albeit developing, trade corridor for high-efficiency modules.
Technology Trends: The inclusion of HJT in the ALMM list confirms its status as the next tier of standard efficiency. Installers should prepare their sales pitches to reflect the durability and low-temperature coefficient benefits of HJT.
Pricing Pressure: Expect global competition for HJT capacity to increase as India consumes more of its own production.

The Bottom Line: While the ALMM is an Indian domestic tool, it alters the geography of global solar production. European businesses should start evaluating Indian-made HJT modules as a strategic hedge against potential future supply disruptions or tariff escalations in other regions.

Why it matters: Diversify your module procurement strategy by monitoring India’s emerging high-efficiency HJT manufacturing capacity as a hedge against supply chain volatility.