The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released draft Guidelines for the series approval and testing of Storage Batteries under the upcoming Solar Systems, Devices and Component Goods Order 2025. The Ministry is now inviting comments from all stakeholders on the proposed rules.
The guidelines are aimed at standardizing the procedures for test labs and manufacturers when forming “product families” of storage batteries to achieve mandatory registration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Scope and Purpose
The guidelines specifically cover the following types of storage batteries for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) applications, with testing conducted as per IS 16270:2023:
- Lead-Acid Batteries (Vented, Valve Regulated, and Tubular Gel VRLA)
- Lithium-Ion Batteries (Portable and Industrial Application)
- Nickel-based Chemistry Batteries (Nickel-Cadmium and Nickel-Metal Hydride)
The primary goal is to establish a framework for the “series approval” of a product family, ensuring that all models within the series share a common design and essential construction necessary for conformity with applicable standards.
Key Provisions for Series Approval
The document specifies detailed criteria for manufacturers to group their products into a series and define a “Representative Model” for full type testing:
| Battery Type | Series Range of Capacities | Representative Model for Testing |
| 2V Flooded Lead Acid Cells | Varies by capacity (e.g., ≤400 Ah or >1000 Ah) | The highest rating in the series (e.g., 400 Ah or 1000 Ah or highest rating) |
| 12V VRLA Batteries | ≤50 Ah, >50 Ah and ≤100 Ah, and >100 Ah | The highest rating in the series (e.g., 50 Ah, 100 Ah, or highest rating) |
| Nickel-Cadmium/Ni-MH | ≤45 Ah, >90 Ah to 500 Ah, 500-1000 Ah, and >1000 Ah | Highest rating in the series |
| Lithium-ion Cells/Batteries | ≤20 Ah to >1000 Ah (in five capacity bands) | Highest rating in the series |
- Testing Requirement: Short-term tests (such as the Capacity test) must be performed on all ratings included in the series.
- Endurance Testing: The highest rated capacity model is selected as the Representative Model to undergo all full type tests, including the endurance tests.
- Manufacturer Undertaking: For products to be grouped in the same series, the manufacturer must provide a written undertaking to the test lab confirming no change in critical manufacturing elements, including grid alloy, grid purity, electrode preparation method, and quality systems.
Safety and Disclosure Requirements
Manufacturers must provide comprehensive safety information, including:
- Electrical Characteristics: Voltage range (maximum and minimum) and load pattern.
- Charging Condition: Details on rapid charge, trickle charge, charge time, and temperature.
- Hazard Information: Information regarding the level of electric shock hazard and material safety data sheets.
- Installation Safety: Requirements for suitable lifting devices, temperature monitoring, terminal inspections, ventilation, and procedures for handling electrolyte spills (e.g., acid or alkaline neutralizers).
- End-of-Life: Procedures for the disposal and recycling of scrapped batteries.
Submission of Comments
Stakeholders wishing to provide feedback on the draft guidelines must send their comments to rajkumarb.mnre@gov.in within 15 days from the notification of the Office Memorandum.