What this document is
On 27 January 2025 MNRE issued the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025 (S.O. 492(E)). It replaces the 2017 solar CRS order and took effect on 27 July 2025. For power inverters for use in PV power systems it adds a second standard, IS/IEC 61683:1999, on top of the safety standard IS 16221 (Part 2):2015.
On 26 March 2025 the BIS Registration Department issued this guideline (reference Registration/ Power Invertors for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems). The PDF is 10 pages, most of which is a copy of the gazette order.
Solar goods come under MNRE’s order, not MeitY’s. MeitY’s CRS FAQs and its series guidelines do not apply. Lead models are chosen under MNRE’s own series guidelines of 26 August 2019.
What changed
- IS/IEC 61683:1999 (procedure for measuring the efficiency of power conditioners) now applies to this product.
- The maker declares the efficiency of every model, lead and series, and BIS checks it against the test report.
- The standard mark now shows IS 16221 (Part 2)/IEC 62109-2 and IS/IEC 61683 with the R-number.
Key dates
- 27 July 2025: the date the order took effect. New applications and inclusions without an IS/IEC 61683 report were processed only until this date, against a declaration to comply later.
- After 27 July 2025: no new licence without compliance with the new order.
- Existing licensees implement within the timeline in the order, which keeps existing licences valid and brings renewals after expiry under the new order.
Existing licensees
- Apply through the Standard Revision/Amendment/Essential Requirement module with an IS/IEC 61683:1999 report for each lead model. Each report names the series models it covers.
- Declare the efficiency of every model in the licence.
- Pay the extension-of-scope fee (see the FAQs below).
- BIS issues a letter listing the compliant models. Models without an IS/IEC 61683 report are deleted after the deadline, and a licence with no compliant models is liable to expire.
New applicants and changes in scope
New applications and inclusions need reports to IS 16221 (Part 2):2015 and IS/IEC 61683:1999, with a declared efficiency for every model. Existing licensees must not use the Inclusion module to add IS/IEC 61683 to registered models.
Status
The cut-off has passed and IS/IEC 61683 applies to all solar inverters and power converters registered under this item. Utility-interconnected inverters are a separate item with their own guideline, for IS 16169:2019 and IS 17980:2022.