BIS Solar Product Certification: CRS Requirements for PV Modules and Solar Equipment

Solar photovoltaic modules and related solar energy equipment require BIS CRS registration in India. With India's massive solar expansion, BIS certification of solar products is a high-priority compliance area.

Solar Products Under BIS CRS

• Solar PV modules (crystalline silicon, thin film)
• Solar charge controllers
• Solar inverters (grid-tied and off-grid)
• Solar lanterns and home lighting systems
• Solar pumps (certain categories)

Key Standards for Solar PV Modules

• IS 14286: Crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules — the primary safety and performance standard for solar modules in India
• Aligned with IEC 61215 (performance) and IEC 61730 (safety)

Solar Module Testing Key Areas

• Visual inspection and dimensional verification
• Electrical performance (output power, voltage, current at STC)
• Insulation resistance and dielectric strength (wet leakage)
• Temperature coefficient measurement
• Environmental durability tests: thermal cycling, damp heat, humidity freeze
• Mechanical load testing
• Hail impact testing

MNRE Empanelment

Solar modules used in government-funded solar projects (rooftop schemes, PM-KUSUM, etc.) must be empanelled with MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy). MNRE empanelment requires BIS CRS registration as a prerequisite, plus additional MNRE-specific testing and documentation.

Timeline and Process

Solar module BIS CRS registration: 12-18 weeks due to extensive environmental durability testing (damp heat test alone takes 1,000 hours). Plan well in advance. HOT handles solar module testing for BIS CRS registration.