MNRE orders mandatory quality standard for solar components

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) released a new order on September 11, pursuant to the quality control of solar components.

The Gazette of India published information of “the Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017” on September 5, stating that the new regulations will come into force one year from the date of publication.

India’s solar manufacturers should apply at the Bureau to obtain registration for use of the standard mark (which will be titled the Bureau of Indian Standards Certification Mark) in respect to the set Indian standards for solar products.

All of the goods manufactured, stored for sale, imported, sold or distributed must comply to this new standard. Otherwise, the solar goods will be scrapped and removed from use if they do not bear standard mark, provided of course that the product fulfills the specified standard.

The Order also elaborate the sampling and testing of goods. Apart from the authorized authority, if required, samples may also be drawn by the Bureau and sampling should be drawn at least once in a two-year timeframe.

The standard is applied to PV modules (thin film and Si wafer based), terrestrial PV modules, inverters, power converters and batteries.

Overall, the new standards will seek to challenge instances of poor quality, whether domestically produced or imported, and seek to popularize an Indian standard mark.