The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliance deadline for solar inverters above 200 kW capacity to June 30, 2026 — now just 7 weeks away. With the deadline fast approaching and BIS testing labs running at capacity, utility-scale developers, EPC contractors, and inverter suppliers must act immediately.
The Context
India's push to enforce BIS quality standards across its solar supply chain is one of the most consequential policy shifts for the inverter industry. Under the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods (Quality Control) Order, 2025, every solar inverter sold in India must carry BIS certification — and the extension for large inverters above 200 kW is now firmly final.
Key Highlights
- Deadline: June 30, 2026 — no further extensions expected
- Applicable Equipment: Solar inverters above 200 kW (utility-interconnected and power inverters in solar systems)
- Required Certifications for Power Inverters:
- IS 16221 (Part 2): 2015 / IEC 62109-2: 2011
- IS/IEC 61683: 1999
- Required Certifications for Utility-Interconnected Inverters:
- IS 16221 (Part 2): 2015 / IEC 62109-2: 2011
- IS 16169: 2019 / IEC 62116: 2014
- IS 17980: 2022 / IEC 62891: 2020
- Not Covered by Extension: Crystalline silicon PV modules, thin-film modules, and storage batteries — these remain on original timelines
- Reason for Extension: Limited accredited testing facilities in India
- PM Surya Ghar Mandate: All inverter OEMs supplying under PM Surya Ghar must integrate inverter communication devices with the MNRE portal to prevent data leakage to overseas servers
Action Required Now
If you are an EPC company or solar developer deploying inverters above 200 kW, verify BIS certification status with your supplier immediately. BIS-accredited testing labs are reporting high queue times — do not wait until late June. Non-compliant inverters risk customs clearance delays and project commissioning blocks.
Source: Mercom India
Tags: #MNREUpdates #BISCompliance #SolarInverters #IndiaRegulatoryNews #UtilityScaleSolar #InverterCertification