New BEE Efficiency Standards for Grid-Connected Solar Inverters (Effective 2026)

Introduction

The Ministry of Power has announced that beginning January 1, 2026, it will require compliance with efficiency standards for all grid-connected solar inverters produced or imported into India with a capacity of 100 kW or less through cooperation with BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency). The efficiency thresholds and labelling obligations will apply to all solar inverters within this capacity. The BEE efficiency standards which are established under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 are designed to enable consumers to make more informed decisions when purchasing their solar inverters and guarantee an agreed level of performance for all solar inverters sold in India.

Explanation

Regulatory Framework

Under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, the Central Government is authorized to prescribe minimum energy performance standards and mandatory labelling for electrical appliances. Solar inverters with a capacity of up to 100 kW have now been designated as a “mandatory product” under this framework. This means that any inverter falling in this category must comply with the standards set by the government.

In November 2025, the Ministry of Power issued a notification (after BEE consultation) establishing new performance and labelling requirements for grid-connected solar inverters. This notification specifies the minimum performance metrics and mandates the display of an official BEE label, thereby giving the requirements the force of law.

Scope of the Standards

The standards cover all grid-connected (on-grid) solar inverters with a rated output capacity up to 100 kW. This includes single-phase units (230 V AC, 50 Hz) and three-phase units (up to 415 V AC). Both domestically manufactured and imported inverters fall within the scope. In effect, any inverter sold in India for grid-tied use, whether string, central or hybrid type, must comply with the prescribed efficiency norms and carry the required label under the new rules.

Minimum Efficiency Standards

The regulation sets minimum overall efficiency levels based on inverter capacity. The required minimum efficiencies are as follows:

• Under 1 kW: 92%
• 1–3 kW: 93%
• 3–5 kW: 95%
• 5–10 kW: 96%
• 10–20 kW: 97%
• Above 20 kW: 98%

Each inverter model must meet or exceed the minimum efficiency specified for its rated output class. The rules explicitly provide no negative tolerance, meaning that every tested unit must attain at least the stated efficiency level without downward deviation.

Testing and Certification

Inverters must be tested to the latest Indian standard IS 17980:2022 (aligned with IEC 62891:2020) to determine performance metrics. Participation in the BEE labelling program also requires compliance with applicable Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for solar inverters. Testing must be performed only in laboratories accredited by recognised bodies (such as NABL, ILAC/APLAC or NISE) to ensure reliable results.

Only inverter models that pass these accredited tests and meet the efficiency criteria can receive BEE certification. Each certified model will be listed under the program; any inverter that fails to meet the requirements will not be eligible for the endorsement label.

Labelling Requirements

The new regulatory change mandates that all compliant inverters carry an official BEE endorsement on the inverter label. The BEE endorsement label lists the inverter’s efficiency class based on the MPPT and conversion efficiency test results. All manufacturers must put BEE labels on inverter units with the model number, rated output power, and verified efficiency of the inverter. Only those inverters that have been certified according to the BEE standards will display an official BEE endorsement label. This new labelling system means that end-users and installers can quickly identify compliant inverters, which will also prevent the use of untested inverters described as compliant.

Implementation and Transition

The standards took effect on 1 January 2026 and remain in force through 31 December 2027. All inverters marketed on or after the effective date must comply with the new requirements. In practice, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency has directed manufacturers to re-register existing inverter models by 28 February 2026 to demonstrate compliance. Any model not re-registered by this deadline, or failing to meet the standards, will be deactivated in the certification database. After the transition deadline, only newly tested and certified products may carry the BEE label or be sold as compliant. This ensures that both legacy inventory and new production meet the updated norms.

Implications for Stakeholders

All manufacturers and importers of inverters must redesign or upgrade their products according to new efficiency standards and achieve the appropriate BIS safety approvals; therefore, they must have every model go through accredited laboratory testing before they can sell or install that product. Once all of these new regulations have taken effect, no one may sell or install inverters that are not certified. All distributors and installers will be required to check that all inverters they are selling or installing have an official BEE label to verify that the inverter complies with the new regulations.

As for the consumer or system owner, the new system should provide a better level of consistency and reliability in the performance of various systems, which should help reduce the number of failures due to running equipment and increase consumer confidence in the quality of the product for which they are purchasing.

Conclusion

The Ministry of Power will require all inverters that use grid-connected solar systems to meet certain efficiency and labelling standards January 2026 onwards. This includes the requirement for BEE Certification (as outlined by Indian Government) as part of their Energy Conservation Act.