KSEB Mandates BEE-Certified Inverters for Solar Projects Up to 100 kW

Under the new directive, all new projects applying for grid connection approval from KSEB must comply with BEE labelling norms. During project inspection and commissioning, the utility will only accept BEE-certified inverters that meet the stipulated minimum efficiency benchmarks. This requirement will also be incorporated into future tender specifications and rooftop solar project guidelines.

This order aligns with a notification issued by the Ministry of Power on 28 March 2023 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The notification enforces mandatory minimum efficiency standards and labelling requirements for grid-tied solar inverters rated up to 100 kW, effective 1 January 2026. The standards apply to both domestically manufactured and imported single-phase and three-phase grid-connected solar inverters without energy storage functions.

Under the national regulatory framework, inverters must satisfy performance criteria based on the test protocols of IS 17980:2022 and IEC 62891:2020. The regulation sets tiered minimum overall efficiency thresholds corresponding to inverter capacity, with higher-capacity inverters required to achieve efficiency levels up to 98%. Additionally, all eligible products must prominently display the BEE energy label to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.

KSEB states that the rollout of high-efficiency, BEE-labelled inverters will elevate the quality and reliability of distributed solar installations while cutting energy losses within systems. The measure is also expected to drive the adoption of high-performance equipment in Kerala’s rapidly expanding rooftop solar market, further advancing the state’s broader renewable energy transition targets.