Sunita Somvanshi
Vikram Solar has secured a supply agreement for 1 gigawatt of domestically manufactured, ALMM-compliant solar cells from Avaada Electro. The deal, announced in September 2026, specifies deliveries beginning in September 2026. For Indian solar developers, the agreement signals the direction of India's domestic solar supply strategy.
The Supply Agreement
The agreement covers ALMM-compliant, domestically manufactured half-cut n-type G12R TOPCon solar cells. Avaada Electro will supply these cells to Vikram Solar for use in the company's solar projects. The deal is structured explicitly to strengthen Vikram's position in the Domestic Content Requirement market and to ensure ALMM compliance for Vikram's upcoming utility-scale projects.
ALMM — the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers — is an Indian government requirement that certain government-backed and government-assisted solar projects use only domestically manufactured solar cells and modules. This is not a universal ban on imported cells, but rather a compliance requirement for government-backed projects and specific schemes.
What This Means for Developers
The 1 GW supply agreement reflects the Indian solar industry's shift toward domestic sourcing for projects that require ALMM compliance. Developers working on government-backed projects need to secure domestic supply arrangements to maintain eligibility for those programs.
Vikram Solar is setting up a 9 GW cell manufacturing facility in India, which will expand domestic production capacity. The company's supply agreement with Avaada is part of a broader strategy to position Vikram for both its own project development and potential supply to other developers.
The ALMM Context
ALMM applies to specified government-funded and government-assisted solar projects and schemes. It is designed to reduce reliance on foreign imports and build domestic manufacturing capacity. Projects that do not fall under ALMM-applicable schemes may still source imported cells, though government subsidy eligibility may be affected depending on the specific scheme's rules.
Closure
Vikram Solar's 1 GW supply agreement with Avaada Electro reflects ongoing domestic manufacturing growth in India's solar sector. ALMM compliance is now a critical factor for developers working on government-backed projects. The delivery of ALMM-compliant domestic cells is beginning in September 2026.
