UPNEDA Issues Important Compliance Directive for Hybrid Inverters Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana

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UPNEDA Issues Important Compliance Directive for Hybrid Inverters Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana

UPNEDA Issues Important Compliance Directive for Hybrid Inverters Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana

Once again, UPNEDA has taken an important step to ensure that the rooftop solar power plants have certain qualities like safety, efficiency, and quality through issuing an important notification regarding adherence to the technical specifications of hybrid inverters under the scheme PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
This notification will come into force from 12 June 2026 and acts as a warning for all vendors and other relevant entities regarding technical specifications, quality criteria, and testing of hybrid inverters for use in rooftop solar power plant systems as per the recommendations of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Government of India.
Such a measure is expected to enhance quality standards in the rapidly growing rooftop solar energy industry.

Understanding the Latest UPNEDA Order

This order is relevant to the norms laid down as per MNRE Order No. 318/2024 - Grid Connected Rooftop as on 07 June 2024, which provides the technical standards applicable to inverters and PCU used in grid-connected rooftop systems.
The UPNEDA has brought attention to the specific clauses regarding Hybrid Inverters, and all the vendors engaged in the PM Surya Ghar Scheme have been asked to ensure strict adherence to these before installation.
The idea behind this is to ensure that the standard of products installed in solar rooftops is maintained at par with the international standards.

Key Compliance Requirements for Hybrid Inverters

According to the notification, Hybrid Inverters and PCUs installed under the scheme must comply with the following requirements:

1. Conformance to Quality Control Order (QCO) of Solar PV Inverter

It must be ensured that all the Solar Photovoltaic Inverters conform to the Quality Control Order (QCO). The QCO is the directive given by the Indian Government dated 30th August 2017. The obligation to ensure that all the relevant certifications have been obtained before installation on the rooftop solar power plant falls upon the manufacturer/supplier of the above product

2. Compliance with BIS & IEC StandardsCertification for Electronic Products

Both Hybrid Inverters & PCUs must conform to the relevant BIS and IEC standards for the following:
  • Performance efficiency
  • Environmental testing
  • Electrical safety
  • Reliability
  • Compatibility
    • The relevant standards mentioned in the notification include:
  • IEC 61683 / IS 61683
  • IS 16221 (Part 2)
  • IS 16169
  • IEC 60068-2 (Environmental Testing Requirements)
    • These standards are important in verifying that the inverter is reliable at different operational and environmental conditions.

    3. MPPT Requirement for Foreign Manufacturers (FMCS)

    According to the order, the Maximum Power Point Tracker should be installed inside the inverter itself or PCU. MPPT allows solar power systems to generate maximum power output by ensuring the maximum power point in the system's operation. This ensures more efficient operations and improved energy production by beneficiaries of the scheme.

    4. Environmental Testing Requirements

    Any MPPT module that is built within the inverter should be tested based on the requirements stated within the IEC 60068-2 (Parts 1, 2, 14 & 30) or similar BIS standard. Adherence to these standards proves that the device is capable of enduring different environmental stresses, such as changes in temperature and humidity levels.

    5. IP Protection Standards

    UPNEDA has also emphasized the enclosure protection standards of the inverters.
  • For Outdoor Installation: The enclosure or junction box should have an IP65 Protection Standard or Better. It guarantees that the device is safe from dust and water exposure.
  • For Indoor Installation: The enclosure of the inverter should have IP54 Protection Standard or Better. It protects the device from dust and splashing water within an indoor environment.

    • Compliance with these requirements is essential for maintaining safety and durability throughout the equipment lifecycle

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    What Does This Mean for Vendors and Manufacturers?

    The new mandate lays more pressure on:
    • Manufacturers of solar inverters
    • Suppliers of hybrid inverters
    • EPCs for rooftop solar installations
    • Registered firms under the PM Surya Ghar program
    • Importers of solar inverter products
    Before deploying any equipment through the scheme, the concerned parties need to ensure that the equipment fulfils all criteria specified by BIS, IEC, and MNRE.
    Non-compliance could result in delayed project completion, failure in inspections, or non-compliance with regulations.

    Why Should There Be BIS Certification for Hybrid Inverters?

    It is one of the best methods to ensure the availability of good-quality goods, especially solar inverters available in the Indian market.
    Advantages are:
    • Product Qualification: It indicates that the product conforms to the Indian standard.
    • Safety Level Increased: The test reports indicate that the products conform to the safety standards.
    • Compliance with Rules: Product manufacturers can supply their products based on the rules of quality control orders.
    • Better Reputation in the Market: This will give producers more reputation with regard to the government, EPC, and consumer communities.
    • Eligibility for Government Projects: Some government projects require that products be in compliance with BIS standards and other governmental standards

    Impact on the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

    PM Surya Ghar is an attempt to speed up the adoption of rooftop solar energy in India through the provision of funding and installation of good-quality solar panels.
    The UPNEDA notification ensures that the government's focus remains on:
    ● Quality solar setup
    ● Reliability of the system for its lifetime
    ● Consumer safety
    ● Energy efficiency
    ● Equipment standardization
    The intention behind such stringent standards is that only those systems are installed that will provide dependable performance over the entire life of the solar panels.

    Action Points for Manufacturers and Vendors

    Hybrid inverters supply and installation organisations must immediately:
    • Ensure adherence to all relevant BIS standards.cation: It indicates that the product conforms to the Indian standard.
    • Comply with all provisions of Quality Control Order.
    • Check for inclusion of MPPT technology in the inverter system.
    • Verify environmental test results.
    • Inspect the protection classification of enclosures (IP65/IP54).
    • Verify technical data and certification documents.
    • Before providing any product under the government-subsidised rooftop solar program.

    How UMSPCS Can Help

    Understanding the BIS guidelines and complying with the technical aspects related to solar products is challenging, especially considering any new quality criteria imposed by any government scheme.Our experience with over 600+ compliance projects, along with a team of professional certification experts, UMSPCS helps businesses obtain quicker certifications while making sure that the business complies with all relevant regulations issued by BIS, MNRE, and the government. Our services include:
    • BIS Certification for Solar Photovoltaic Inverters
    • BIS Registration and Regulatory Guidance Services
    • BIS Registration and Regulatory Guidance Services
    • BIS Registration and Regulatory Guidance Services
    • QCO Compliance Assistance
    • BIS Certification for Hybrid Inverters
    • PM Surya Ghar Scheme Compliance Services
    • Regulatory Liaison Services

    Conclusion

    The new UPNEDA guideline is a clear indication that quality, safety, and regulation are key for the successful deployment of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The requirement for compliance with BIS standards, Quality Control Order (QCO) standards, environmental testing standards, and hybrid inverter standards is expected to lead to effective rooftop solar deployment in India.

    Businesses need to make sure that they do not encounter any regulatory issues, ensuring the smooth execution of government-funded solar projects. Getting BIS Certification for Hybrid Inverters on time and complying with other standards will help businesses succeed in India’s burgeoning solar energy sector.

    Get in touch with UMSPCS now, and our experts will assist you with the product requirements and BIS certification process.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Yes, hybrid Inverters deployed under the PM Surya Ghar scheme Muft Bijli Yojana need to adhere to BIS Standards, QCOs and MNRE technical standards.

    UPNEDA Notification includes standards such as IS 61683, IS 16221(Part 2), IS 16169 and Environmental testing according to IEC 60068-2.

    The Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) serves an important purpose in Hybrid Inverters for maximising solar energy generation through the extraction of maximum energy from solar PV panels.

    IP65 should be the minimum IP Rating requirement for any Hybrid Inverter intended to be installed outdoors.

    Yes, importation of Hybrid Inverters shall be done in compliance with applicable BIS Certification, QCOs and MNRE technical standards.

    Not complying with the two entities could lead to project approval delays, installation refusals, regulatory actions, market entry problems, and inability to join government-sponsored solar projects.

    One should first determine which standard the product needs to comply with, test the product in a certified laboratory, prepare all the required documents, apply for BIS certification, and finally get approval before releasing the product into the market in India.

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