India has one certification body that matters for solar products: the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Since 2022, BIS certification is mandatory for all solar modules sold in India — domestically manufactured and imported alike. For inverters, BIS certification is equally mandatory for any product used in a grid-connected system.
Understanding BIS certification is not just regulatory compliance — it is procurement due diligence. Buying uncertified products creates legal exposure, disqualifies PM Surya Ghar subsidies, and risks DISCOM rejection during commissioning inspection.
What BIS Is and How It Works
The Bureau of Indian Standards is India’s national standards body, established under the BIS Act 2016. BIS develops Indian Standards (IS), runs product certification schemes, and operates laboratory recognition programmes.
For solar products, BIS runs the ISI Mark certification scheme — the mark that appears on certified products confirming they meet the applicable Indian Standard. A product with a valid ISI Mark licence:
- Has been tested at a BIS-recognised laboratory
- Has passed the required tests under the applicable Indian Standard
- Is subject to ongoing factory surveillance by BIS
- Holds a BIS licence number that can be verified through official BIS channels
IS 14086: Solar Module Certification
IS 14086 (Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules — Design Qualification and Type Approval) has two parts:
IS 14086 Part 1: Performance Testing
Equivalent to IEC 61215 (Terrestrial PV modules — Design qualification and type approval). Tests include:
- STC electrical performance (power, voltage, current at 1,000 W/m², 25°C)
- Temperature coefficient measurements
- Thermal cycling (200 cycles, −40°C to +85°C)
- Damp heat (1,000 hours at 85°C / 85% relative humidity)
- Humidity freeze (10 cycles, −40°C to +85°C with humidity)
- UV preconditioning (15 kWh/m² exposure)
- Mechanical load (5,400 Pa front, 2,400 Pa rear)
- Hail impact
- Bypass diode thermal test
IS 14086 Part 2: Safety Testing
Equivalent to IEC 61730 (PV module safety qualification). Tests include:
- Electrical insulation (wet leakage current, isolation resistance)
- Ground continuity
- Cut susceptibility (whether cut wires create shock risk)
- Fire safety classification (Fire Class A, B, or C)
- Reverse current overload
- Module breakage test
BIS Quality Control Order 2022: Effective from a mandated date in 2022, the government issued a Quality Control Order making IS 14086 certification mandatory for all solar PV modules manufactured or sold in India, including imported modules. This was a significant market shift — prior to this order, many imported modules circulated in India without Indian BIS certification.
IEC Certification Is Not Enough
A module certified to IEC 61215 + IEC 61730 by a European or international test body (TÜV, UL, Bureau Veritas) does not automatically satisfy India’s IS 14086 BIS requirement. The technical content is equivalent, but BIS certification must be obtained through BIS’s own process. Importers must either source modules where the manufacturer has obtained BIS certification, or go through the BIS certification process themselves as the importer of record.
IS 16221: Solar Inverter Certification
IS 16221 (Requirements for Power Conditioners used in Photovoltaic Power Systems) has two parts:
IS 16221 Part 1: General and Anti-Islanding Requirements
Equivalent to IEC 62116 (Utility-interconnected photovoltaic inverters — test procedure of islanding prevention measures). Key requirements:
- Anti-islanding detection: Inverter must detect loss of grid and disconnect within a specified time window
- Voltage trip thresholds: Must trip on over- or under-voltage at the specified limits (typically 85%–110% of nominal)
- Frequency trip thresholds: Must trip on over- or under-frequency (typically 47.5 Hz–50.5 Hz for India’s 50 Hz grid)
- Reconnection delay: Must not reconnect for a minimum period (typically 60 seconds) after grid is restored
IS 16221 Part 2: Safety Requirements
Covers:
- Electrical safety of the inverter enclosure
- Protection against electric shock from DC and AC sides
- Enclosure protection (IP rating)
- Thermal protection and component ratings
The BIS Certification Process for Manufacturers
For a manufacturer seeking IS 14086 or IS 16221 certification, the process runs as follows:
Application to BIS
The manufacturer submits an application to the relevant BIS regional office, specifying the product, Indian Standard, and manufacturing facility location. Application fees are paid online through the BIS portal.
Sample Testing at BIS-Recognised Lab
Product samples are submitted to a BIS-recognised (NABL-accredited) test laboratory for testing against the full IS 14086 or IS 16221 test sequence. Testing typically takes 4–8 weeks for modules, 3–6 weeks for inverters.
Factory Inspection by BIS
BIS sends an inspection team to the manufacturing facility to verify that the factory’s production processes, quality control systems, and equipment are capable of consistently producing the certified product. For overseas factories, BIS has arrangements for inspection through international liaison bodies.
Licence Grant and ISI Mark
After successful testing and factory inspection, BIS grants a licence to the manufacturer to apply the ISI mark on the certified product. The licence specifies the product model, Indian Standard, and validity period (typically one year, renewed annually).
Ongoing Surveillance
BIS conducts surveillance factory inspections (typically once or twice annually) and may collect market samples for testing. If a product fails surveillance, the licence can be suspended or cancelled.
BIS-Recognised Test Labs for Solar Products
Testing for BIS certification must be conducted at NABL-accredited (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) labs that are also BIS-recognised for the specific Indian Standard. India has several NABL-accredited labs capable of solar product testing:
- CPRI (Central Power Research Institute), Bangalore — modules and inverters
- ERDA (Electrical Research and Development Association), Vadodara — modules and inverters
- National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gurugram — module testing
- CSIR-SERC, Chennai — structural and some electrical testing
- Private NABL-accredited labs — TÜVEIN India, Bureau Veritas India (for specific scopes)
Test lab availability and backlog affect how quickly the testing phase of BIS certification can be completed. For modules requiring the full IS 14086 suite, 4–8 weeks of laboratory time is standard.
Verifying BIS Certification: BIS Care App
The fastest way to verify a solar product’s BIS certification is the BIS Care mobile app, available on Android and iOS:
- Download BIS Care from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Open the app and select “Verify Licence”
- Enter the BIS licence number (found on the product label or the manufacturer’s documentation)
- The app shows: licence holder name, product description, Indian Standard, and validity status
You can also verify through the BIS website at bis.gov.in under the Licence Management section.
Pro Tip: Check the Licence Model Number Matches Your Product
BIS licences are issued per model number (and sometimes per wattage variant). A manufacturer’s BIS licence may cover only specific models. When checking via BIS Care or the website, confirm that the model number on the licence matches exactly the model number on the product you are procuring. Discrepancies between licence and product label are grounds for DISCOM rejection during commissioning.
BIS vs ALMM: The Complete Comparison
| Feature | BIS Certification (IS 14086 / IS 16221) | ALMM Listing (MNRE) |
|---|---|---|
| Administered by | Bureau of Indian Standards | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy |
| Applies to | All solar products sold in India | Government and subsidised projects only |
| Required for private commercial | Yes | No |
| Required for PM Surya Ghar | Yes (prerequisite) | Yes |
| Update frequency | Annual licence renewal | Quarterly list update |
| Verification method | BIS Care app / bis.gov.in | MNRE website PDF download |
| Technical basis | IS 14086 / IS 16221 (IEC-equivalent) | BIS + additional MNRE criteria |
| Factory inspection | By BIS | By MNRE designated agency |
Cost and Timeline for Manufacturers
| Stage | Typical Duration | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Application preparation | 2–4 weeks | Internal cost |
| Lab testing (modules) | 4–8 weeks | Rs. 3–8 lakh per model |
| Lab testing (inverters) | 3–6 weeks | Rs. 2–5 lakh per model |
| BIS review and factory inspection | 4–8 weeks | BIS fee + travel costs |
| Licence grant | 2–4 weeks | BIS licence fee (varies) |
| Total (new certification) | 3–8 months | Rs. 5–15 lakh per product line |
Annual renewal is faster (2–3 months) and less expensive if there are no product changes.
Specify BIS-Certified, ALMM-Listed Components from the Start
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is BIS certification mandatory for solar panels?
Yes. The BIS QCO 2022 makes IS 14086 certification mandatory for all solar modules sold in India, including imports. No valid BIS licence means the product cannot be legally sold.
Which BIS standard applies to solar inverters?
IS 16221. Part 1 covers anti-islanding (IEC 62116 equivalent). Part 2 covers safety. Mandatory for ALMM listing and all grid-connected installations.
How do I verify BIS certification?
BIS Care mobile app (search by licence number) or bis.gov.in. Confirm the licence covers the exact model number you are procuring and has not expired.
How long does BIS certification take for manufacturers?
3–8 months total — application, lab testing, factory inspection, and licence grant. Annual renewal is faster if no product changes.
