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TOPCon, HJT, Wafer Size and Efficiency to Feature in New MNRE Solar Cell Codes Photograph: (AI)
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed a standardized nomenclature system for solar PV cell models listed under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II, aimed at creating a uniform identification and traceability framework for cells manufactured in India and imported from overseas.
In an Office Memorandum, MNRE said the existing ALMM List-II contains solar cell model names submitted by individual manufacturers. Since there is currently no prescribed standard nomenclature, manufacturers use their own proprietary naming conventions, resulting in considerable variation and making it difficult to identify and compare the technical characteristics of different cell models.
Under the proposed system, every solar PV cell model would carry the manufacturer’s brand name followed by a 14-digit alphanumeric code. The code is designed to capture key information including the origin of polysilicon, ingot and wafer, cell manufacturing origin, cell technology, wafer size and cell efficiency.
The first three positions after the brand name will indicate the origin of the polysilicon, ingot and wafer, respectively. Each will be marked either D for domestic (Indian) or F for foreign origin. The fourth position will identify the origin of the solar cell itself, again using D for a cell manufactured in India and F for a cell manufactured outside India.
The nomenclature will then identify the cell technology. The draft specifies codes including MP for Mono PERC, TC for TOPCon, HJ for HJT, BC for Back Contact and PS for Perovskite, while allowing additional codes to be introduced for emerging technologies.
The next two positions will identify wafer size. The proposed codes are MA for M10, MB for M10R, GA for G12 and GB for G12R. MNRE has said additional codes could be introduced in line with technological developments and market requirements.
The following three digits will represent the cell’s efficiency, with the decimal point removed. For instance, a cell with an efficiency of 24.67% would be represented as 246, while a 25.55% cell would carry the code 255. The final three positions are reserved.
MNRE’s draft gives the example “ABC FDDDTCGB256xxx.” Here, ABC represents the manufacturer’s brand, F indicates foreign-origin polysilicon, while the subsequent D codes indicate domestic ingot, wafer and cell production. TC represents TOPCon technology, GB represents a G12R wafer and 256 indicates a cell efficiency of 25.67%.
A second example, “ABC FFFDMPMA245xxx,” represents foreign-origin polysilicon, ingot and wafer, followed by a domestically manufactured cell using Mono PERC technology on an M10 wafer, with an efficiency of 24.55%.
Existing ALMM-II models will also be renamed.
The proposed system will apply to new inspections conducted by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) for enlistment under ALMM List-II after issuance of the memorandum. Model details verified during these inspections and recommended for enlistment will have to conform to the standardized nomenclature. Importantly, the change will also cover models that have already undergone inspection or are already enlisted under ALMM List-II. MNRE has proposed that their nomenclature be revised according to the new system within two months of the issuance of the Office Memorandum, with NISE coordinating with the concerned manufacturers.
According to MNRE, the standardized nomenclature is intended to create a unique identification framework for every solar PV cell model under ALMM List-II and improve traceability across the solar PV value chain. The ministry also envisages that the identifier could eventually serve regulatory and commercial purposes. The cell-origin information is expected to help distinguish between ALMM List-I and List-I(a) solar modules based on their Bill of Materials (BoM).
The October 5 memorandum is a revised proposal following comments received from stakeholders on an earlier draft issued on August 3, 2026. MNRE has invited further comments and suggestions on the revised nomenclature by October 12, 2026.
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