Guidelines for Revised QCO on PV Utility Inverters

Guidelines for Revised QCO on PV Utility Inverters

Vincular
4 min read

On 26th March 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) released Guidelines for Implementation of Revised QCO “Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025”. The new QCO implements the new revised standard IS 16169: 2019/ IEC 62116: 2014 (Utility – Interconnected photovoltaic inverters), IS 17980: 2022/ IEC 62891:2020 (Maximum Power Point Tracking Efficiency of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Inverters), along with IS 16221 (Part 2)/ IEC 62109-2.  

Key Highlights 

  • IS 16169: 2014/ IEC 62116: 2008 updated to IS 16169: 2019/ IEC 62116: 2014.
  • Addition of IS 17980: 2022/ IEC 62891:2020 for testing of Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters
  • Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters will now be tested under below standards
  • IS 16221 (Part 2)/ IEC 62109-2
  • IS 16169: 2019/ IEC 62116: 2008
  • IS 17980: 2022/ IEC 62891:2020
  • The last date of implementation of the Revised QCO is 27 July 2025.

Major Changes in IS 16169: 2019/ IEC 62116: 2014  

S/No.  Existing IS  Revised Standard 
1.  IS 16169: 2014/ IEC 62116: 2008 (Test Procedure of Islanding Prevention Measures for Utility-Interconnected PV Inverters)  IS 16169: 2019/ IEC 62116: 2014 (Utility-interconnected photovoltaic inverters – Test procedure of islanding prevention measures) 
2.  EUT input voltage > 90 %  EUT input voltage > 75 % 
3.  EUT input voltage < 10 %  EUT input voltage < 20 % 
4.  EUT Trip Settings: Manufacturer-specified voltage and frequency trip settings  Voltage and frequency trip settings according to National standards and/or local code 

Guidelines For Implementation of New QCO 

For existing Licensees: 

  • Existing Licensee must implement the QCO by applying online through the “Standard Revision/ Amendment/ Essential Requirement”. 
  • Test Report as per IS 17980: 2022/ IEC 62891:2020 and IS 16169: 2014/ IEC 62116: 2008 should be submitted for each lead model. 
  • Manufacturers must declare efficiency for each model (lead + series) and verify compliance. 
  • After 27 July 2025 Non-compliant model should be deleted from the scope of the license, or the license shall be liable for expiry.

For new Applicants 

  • New applications may be submitted with a test report for IS 17980: 2022/ IEC 62891:2020 and IS 16169: 2014/ IEC 62116: 2008, along with IS 16221 (Part 2): 2015. 
  • Applications not complying with the new QCO shall only be permitted till 27 July 2025, along with the manufacturer’s declaration stating “they will implement the revised QCO within the stipulated timeline”. 
  • Beyond 27 July 2025, no new License for Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters shall be granted without compliance with the new QCO.   
  • The Standard Mark for Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems is given below for reference.

Official notification can be accessed from here: Revised QCO for Utility-Interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters

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