Bureau of India Standards has issued the Guidelines for Implementation of Revised Quality Control Order (“QCO”) under Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025 (“Order”) for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Modules, Power Invertors for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems, Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters, Secondary cells and batteries for solar photovoltaic application. The old standards are valid concurrently with the new version until 27^th July 2025.

Key Highlights:

For Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Modules:

1. Existing Licensee:
   1. Existing licensees of Solar PV Modules must implement the QCO within the stipulated timeline for the existing models in their scope by applying online through the “Standard Revision/ Amendment/ Essential Requirement” module along with complete test reports issued by Third Party Testing Laboratory through online portal following due procedure.
   2. For new models conforming to the revised set of Standards, apply online through the “Inclusion” module.
   3. As per the new standard, the series formation and consideration of changes in BOM i.e. changes in material selection, components and manufacturing process which can affect product qualification to be as per Cl. 4 of IS 14286 (Part 1) and IS/IEC TS 62915 respectively.
   4. In case the Licensee fails to take necessary action within the stipulated timeline or if none of the models are complying, License will be liable for expiry.
2. New Applicants:
   1. New applications for Solar PV Modules may be submitted along with test report for the new standards.
   2. The processing of applications of the old standard will be permitted only upto 27^th July 2025. Applicant has to give a declaration that the revised QCO will be implemented before the end of their validity.
   3. Beyond 27^th July 2025 no new Licence for Solar PV Modules will be granted without compliance to the new QCO.
3. Change in Scope of license:
   1. The inclusion applications for Solar PV Modules may be submitted along with test report for the new standards.
   2. The inclusion of series model as per new Standard will not be permitted unless revised standards have been implemented for the representative model.
   3. The processing of applications of the old standard will be permitted only upto 27^th July 2025. Applicant has to give a declaration that the revised QCO will be implemented before the end of their validity.
   4. Existing Licensees will not use the Inclusion module to apply for implementation of revised Standard of registered models.

For Power Invertors for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems:

1. Existing Licensees:
   1. Existing licensees of Power Invertors for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems will implement the QCO within the stipulated timeline for the existing models in their scope by applying online through the “Standard Revision/ Amendment/ Essential Requirement” module along with test reports for the new standards.
   2. Manufacturer has to declare the efficiency for each model (lead + series) and compliance will be verified vis-à-vis the reported efficiency in the Test Report.
   3. Rupees thirty thousand+ applicable taxes per application (inclusive of one test report) and Rupees twenty thousand+ applicable taxes for each additional test report have to be paid in case of Extension of scope of License.
   4. In case the Licensee fails to take necessary action within the stipulated timeline or if none of the models are complying, License will be liable for expiry.
2. New Applicants:
   1. Applications may be submitted along with test report for new standard in addition to the previous standard.
   2. Manufacturers must declare the efficiency for each model (lead + series) and compliance must be verified vis-à-vis the reported efficiency in the Test Report for the new standard.
   3. The processing of applications of the old standard will be permitted only upto 27^th July 2025. Applicant has to give a declaration that the revised QCO will be implemented before the end of their validity.
   4. Existing Licensees will not use the Inclusion module to apply for implementation of revised Standard of registered models.
3. Change in Scope of License:
   1. The inclusion applications for Power Invertors for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems may be submitted along with test report for the new standards.
   2. The processing of applications of the old standard will be permitted only upto 27^th July 2025. Applicant has to give a declaration that the revised QCO will be implemented before the end of their validity.
   3. Existing Licensees will not use the Inclusion module to apply for implementation of revised Standard of registered models.

For Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters:

1. Existing Licensees:
   1. Existing licensees of Power Invertors for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems must implement the QCO within the stipulated timeline for the existing models in their scope by applying online through the “Standard Revision/ Amendment/ Essential Requirement” module along with test reports for the new standards.
   2. Additionally, for each lead model, test reports as per new standards to be submitted. The test report must mention the models covered in series.
   3. Manufacturers must declare the efficiency for each model (lead + series) and compliance must be verified vis-à-vis the reported efficiency in the Test Report for the new standard.
   4. For already registered models, the “Standard Revision/ Amendment/ Essential Requirement” module and for new models, the “Inclusion” module must be used.
   5. Rupees thirty thousand+ applicable taxes per application (inclusive of one test report) and Rupees twenty thousand+ applicable taxes for each additional test report have to be paid in case of Extension of scope of License.
   6. In case the Licensee fails to take necessary action within the stipulated timeline or if none of the models are complying, License will be liable for expiry.
2. New Applicants:
   1. Applications may be submitted along with test report for new standard in addition to the previous standard.
   2. Manufacturers must declare the efficiency for each model (lead + series) and compliance will be verified vis-à-vis the reported efficiency in the Test Report for the new standard.
   3. The processing of applications of the old standard will be permitted only upto 27^th July 2025. Applicant has to give a declaration that the revised QCO will be implemented before the end of their validity.
3. Change in Scope of License:
   1. The inclusion applications for Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters may be submitted along with test report for the new standards.
   2. The processing of applications of the old standard will be permitted only upto 27^th July 2025. Applicant has to give a declaration that the revised QCO will be implemented before the end of their validity.
   3. Existing Licensees will not use the Inclusion module to apply for implementation of revised Standard of registered models.

For Secondary cells and batteries for solar photovoltaic application:

1. Existing Licensees:
   1. All existing licensees must implement the revised standard by the date of implementation of the Order.
   2. Existing licensees must ensure conformance to new standard through submission of complete test Report(s) issued by third party laboratory for all lead model(s) from existing scope of licence which had been previously tested as per the old standard.
   3. The licensees must provide an undertaking stating that requirements of new standard have been implemented in other existing series model(s) which are in the scope of the licence.
   4. In case the licensee fails to complete all actions by the last date of implementation of the Order, cancellation of the licence/ deletion of model from scope of the licence will be initiated.
2. New Applicants:
   1. Applications which are recorded may be processed with or without revision. Processing of Applications without revision will be permitted till 27^th July 2025. The applicant must give a declaration that the revised Indian Standard has been implemented by the last date of implementation of the Order.
   2. Beyond 27^th July 2025, no licence will be granted as per old Standard.
3. Change in Scope of License:
   1. Processing of requests for change in scope of licence as per old Standard will be permitted till 27^th July 2025. For such cases, the applicant must give a declaration that they will implement the revised Indian Standard by the last date of implementation of the Order.
   2. Major Changes in the Indian Standards for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Modules:
   3. Marking requirements better defined for name plate and general documentation;
   4. Sampling procedure rewritten;
   5. Pass/fail criteria have been divided into two “gates”;
   6. Revised hot-spot endurance test;
   7. Update of the other tests to be consistent with changes in IEC 61646;
   8. Clarification of the requirements related to power output measurements;
   9. Addition of definitions, references and instructions on how to perform the IS 14286 design qualification and type approval on bifacial PV modules;
   10. Requirement that retesting be performed according to IS/IEC TS 62915 : 2018;
   11. A final stabilization procedure for modules undergoing PID testing is added;
   12. Implementation of insulation coordination, overvoltage category, classes, pollution degree (PD), and material groups (MG);
   13. Adaption of horizontal standards and inclusion of IEC 60664 and IEC 61140;
   14. Definition of creepage (cr), clearance (cl) and distance through insulation;
   15. Rearrange test sequences;
   16. Added ignitability test MST 24;
   17. Added screw connection test;
   18. Added PV module test sequence with moisture and UV to stress polymers.
   19. The Standard Mark must be adhered to as per the specifications mentioned in the Guidelines.
   20. All existing Licensees and Applicants must take timely actions for implementation of the revised QCO as per the guidelines.

Source: Bureau of Indian Standards

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