What this document is
On 27 January 2025 the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025 (S.O. 492(E)). It replaces the Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017 and came into force 180 days after publication.
On 27 March 2025 the BIS Registration Department issued this guideline (reference Reg/Solar PV Modules) on how module makers move to the revised standards. The PDF runs to 13 pages, including the annexure of changes and 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 to them.
What changed
| Product | Old standards | New standards |
|---|---|---|
| Crystalline silicon PV modules | IS 14286:2010, IS/IEC 61730-1 and -2:2004 | IS 14286 (Part 1):2023 and (Part 1/Sec 1):2023, IS/IEC 61730-1 and -2:2016 |
| Thin-film PV modules | IS 16077:2013, IS/IEC 61730-1 and -2:2004 | IS 14286 (Part 1):2023 with Sec 2 (CdTe), Sec 3 (a-Si) or Sec 4 (CIGS), IS/IEC 61730-1 and -2:2016 |
The order also sets a minimum efficiency at standard test conditions for grant of licence: 18% for monocrystalline and thin-film modules, 17% for polycrystalline modules. Laboratories report the maximum output, module area and calculated efficiency in the test report.
The annexure lists the main technical changes. IS 14286 now has a general Part 1, technology sections and a Part 2 of test methods. Pass/fail is split into two “gates”, and new tests include potential-induced degradation, cyclic mechanical load and bending for flexible modules, with rules for bifacial modules. The 2016 editions of IS/IEC 61730 add insulation coordination, component qualification for junction boxes, cables and connectors, and new tests such as sharp edge, ignitability and peel tests.
Key dates
- 27 July 2025: the date the 2025 order took effect. Applications and inclusions under the old standards were processed only until this date.
- After 27 July 2025: no new licence for PV modules without compliance with the new order.
- Existing licensees implement within the timeline in the order. The order keeps existing licences valid and brings renewals after expiry under the new order.
Existing licensees
- Group all existing models and pick representative models under clause 4 of IS 14286 (Part 1).
- Get complete tests on the representative models to the applicable IS 14286 section and IS/IEC 61730-1 and -2:2016. Series models and extra bills of materials get the retests set out in IS/IEC TS 62915.
- Apply through the Standard Revision/Amendment/Essential Requirement module with the third-party test reports. New models go through the Inclusion module.
- BIS issues a letter listing the compliant models. Models still on the old standards 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 the applicable IS 14286 section and IS/IEC 61730-1 and -2:2016.
- A series model cannot be added under the new standards until the representative model has moved over.
- Existing licensees must not use the Inclusion module to update registered models.
Status
The cut-off dates in this guideline have passed. IS/IEC 61730-1 and -2 have since been revised again. BIS’s transition guideline for IS/IEC 61730:2023 of 30 December 2025 sets out partial testing for modules already on the 2016 editions, with concurrent running until 15 February 2027.