PLI Solar PV Modules Tranche-I 2026: ₹4,500 Crore Outlay & Guidelines

At a glance

About the scheme

Launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and implemented through the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), this scheme aims to scale up domestic manufacturing of high-efficiency solar photovoltaic modules and lower India's import reliance in renewable energy. With a dedicated financial outlay of ₹4,500 crore, the initiative offers annual production-linked incentives based on sales volume, base incentive rates, tapering factors, and local value addition. Selected through a transparent bidding mechanism, beneficiaries can set up greenfield or brownfield facilities to boost indigenous supply chains, encourage advanced technology adoption, and generate industrial employment.

Benefits

• Total scheme financial outlay of ₹4,500 crore provided by the Central Government.
• Annual Production Linked Incentive disbursed for 5 years from commissioning or scheduled commissioning date, whichever is earlier.
• Incentive calculated as: Sales Volume (Wp) × Base PLI Rate (₹/Wp) × Tapering Factor × Local Value Addition.
• Tapering factors applied across operational years: 1.4 in Year 1, 1.2 in Year 2, 1.0 in Year 3, 0.8 in Year 4, and 0.6 in Year 5.
• Higher incentive amounts rewarded for achieving higher local value addition.
• Brownfield manufacturing plants receive 50% of the Greenfield PLI rate.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Applicant must be a manufacturer committing to a minimum integration across solar cells and modules.
• Applicant must commit to establishing a manufacturing facility with a minimum capacity of 1,000 MW.
• Must satisfy minimum module efficiency of 19.50% with temperature coefficient better than -0.30% per degree Celsius; or minimum efficiency of 20% with temperature coefficient equal to or better than -0.40% per degree Celsius.
• Applicant can be a single enterprise or a Joint Venture / Consortium under scheme guidelines.
• Both Greenfield and eligible Brownfield manufacturing setups can participate.

Who cannot apply

• Enterprises that have already obtained benefits under MNRE tenders linked to photovoltaic manufacturing.
• Units that have availed benefits under SIPS or M-SIPS of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• Applicants that imported capital goods for building the module plant prior to the bid submission deadline.

Documents required

• Bidding application form submitted as per tender instructions.
• Performance Bank Guarantee.
• Self-declaration for annual PLI claims.
• Statutory Auditor Certificate, Chartered Accountant Certificate, or Cost Accountant Certificate.
• Documents supporting module sales figures for claim verification.
• Documentation validating local value addition.

How to apply

1. 1Check the tender notification published by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and prepare your bidding documents.
2. 2Submit your bid application directly to IREDA in accordance with the tender instructions.
3. 3Undergo technical appraisal and inter-se ranking based on manufacturing capacity, extent of integration, and module performance parameters.
4. 4Execute the formal Contract Agreement with IREDA upon selection.
5. 5Deposit the mandatory Performance Bank Guarantee within the designated timeframe.
6. 6Commission the integrated manufacturing facility within the allotted timeline of 1.5, 2, or 3 years.
7. 7Lodge annual PLI incentive claims along with auditor certificates and module sales records for verification and disbursement.

Frequently asked questions