Indian Compliance
BIS Certification for Solar Inverters in 2026: Standards, Samples, Testing Cost, Government Fees and BEE
India's solar market is growing fast, and every solar inverter sold here must carry a BIS registration. Whether you make on-grid, hybrid or off-grid inverters, import them, or make normal home inverters and UPS, the questions are always the same: Which standards apply? How many samples? How long will testing take? What will it cost in total?
This guide answers all of them, with our actual testing prices, the government fees, sample requirements and the BEE label, so you can plan your budget before you start.
Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Solar Inverters?
Yes. Solar inverters are covered by the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025 issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It replaced the earlier 2017 order and took effect on 27 July 2025. Under it, no solar inverter can be made, imported, sold or distributed in India unless it is tested at a BIS-recognised lab and registered with BIS. Registration is granted per model and per factory, and foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative.
Which Standards Apply to Your Inverter?
| Inverter type | Standards for BIS registration | Samples | Testing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-grid / grid-tied (GTI) | IS 16221 (Part 2) safety IS 16169 islanding prevention IS 17980 MPPT efficiency | 3 | About 7 weeks |
| Hybrid | IS 16221 (Part 2) IS 16169 IS 17980 | 3 | About 7 weeks |
| Off-grid / stand-alone | IS 16221 (Part 2) safety IS/IEC 61683 efficiency | 2 | About 5 weeks |
| Normal (non-solar) inverter / UPS up to 10 kVA | IS 16242 (Part 1):2025 | As per lab requirement | About 2 weeks |
Islanding prevention (IS 16169) checks that a grid-connected inverter stops feeding power when the grid goes down, so linemen are safe. It does not apply to off-grid inverters. See the standard pages for PV power converters and inverters and islanding prevention.
Solar Inverter Testing Prices
Testing is the largest part of the cost and depends on the inverter type and rating. Our prices per model:
| Rating | Off-grid inverter (IS 16221-2, IS 61683) | On-grid / hybrid inverter (IS 16221-2, IS 16169, IS 17980) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 kW | ₹2,25,000 | ₹2,81,250 |
| Above 3 kW up to 5.5 kW | ₹2,62,500 | ₹3,12,500 |
| Above 5.5 kW up to 10 kW | ₹2,87,500 | ₹3,43,750 |
| Above 10 kW up to 25 kW | ₹3,12,500 | ₹3,43,750 |
| Above 25 kW up to 60 kW | ₹3,87,500 | ₹4,37,500 |
| Above 60 kW up to 120 kW | ₹5,00,000 | ₹5,62,500 |
Prices exclude GST, which is billed at 18%.
Normal (Non-Solar) Inverters and UPS
If your inverter is not solar, such as a home inverter or UPS, it is tested to IS 16242 (Part 1):2025 under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme, which covers UPS and inverters up to 10 kVA. Testing covers the complete system and takes about 2 weeks.
| Rating | Testing price (IS 16242 Part 1:2025) |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 kW | ₹40,000 – ₹45,000 |
| Above 3 kW up to 5.5 kW | ₹62,500 |
| Above 5.5 kW up to 10 kW | ₹75,000 |
The government fees below are the same as for solar inverters. For more on UPS, read our guide to BIS certification for inverters and UPS and the UPS and inverter standard page.
Government Fees for BIS Registration
The government fee depends on the size of your business. It is made up of the ₹1,000 application fee, the ₹1,000 licence fee and the ₹25,000 annual fee, which micro, small and medium enterprises get a concession on.
| Manufacturer category | Government fee |
|---|---|
| Micro enterprise | ₹7,000 |
| Small enterprise | ₹14,500 |
| Medium enterprise | ₹22,000 |
| Large and foreign manufacturers | ₹27,000 |
These MSME concessions apply until 31 May 2029. To claim them, you need a valid Udyam (MSME) registration.
Additional Test Report Fee
One test report is included in the application. Each additional test report, one for each further standard, carries a government fee of ₹20,000 plus GST. In practice:
- On-grid and hybrid inverters have three reports (IS 16221-2, IS 16169 and IS 17980), so two are additional: ₹40,000 plus GST.
- Off-grid inverters have two reports (IS 16221-2 and IS/IEC 61683), so one is additional: ₹20,000 plus GST.
- Normal inverters and UPS have a single report under IS 16242 (Part 1), so there is no additional report fee.
Is the Licence Valid for Only One Year?
The government fee you pay covers one year. Under the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Amendment Regulations, 2026, the licence is granted for five years, but the annual fee and your production details must be paid every year in advance. If you miss the due date, the licence can be suspended, and reinstating it costs a late fee. We track these dates for you, so your licence never lapses.
What Will It Cost in Total? Three Examples
| 5 kW on-grid inverter, micro enterprise | 3 kW off-grid inverter, small enterprise | 1 kVA home inverter, micro enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testing | ₹3,12,500 | ₹2,25,000 | ₹40,000 – ₹45,000 |
| Government fee | ₹7,000 | ₹14,500 | ₹7,000 |
| Additional test reports | ₹40,000 | ₹20,000 | Nil |
| Total before GST | ₹3,59,500 | ₹2,59,500 | ₹47,000 – ₹52,000 |
GST at 18% is extra. Our consulting fee is quoted separately and in full before you start, with no hidden charges. A grid-connected inverter without storage also needs the BEE label, explained below.
BEE Star Label for Grid-Connected Solar Inverters
From 1 January 2026, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) label is mandatory for grid-connected solar inverters without storage, up to 100 kW, made or imported in India (Ministry of Power notification S.O. 5127(E) of 12 November 2025). The inverter must meet a minimum overall efficiency, valid until 31 December 2027:
| Rated output power | Minimum overall efficiency |
|---|---|
| Below 1 kW | 92% |
| 1 kW to below 3 kW | 93% |
| 3 kW to below 5 kW | 95% |
| 5 kW to below 10 kW | 96% |
| 10 kW to below 20 kW | 97% |
| 20 kW and above | 98% |
No negative tolerance is allowed. Only BIS-certified inverters can apply, and testing is done to IS 17980:2022. BEE testing costs ₹1,06,250 per model and takes about 4 weeks. For hybrid inverters with storage, we check whether the label applies to your configuration before you spend on testing. See the BEE solar inverter label page and our BEE star labelling service.
Optional IEC Tests Buyers Often Ask For
These tests are not required for BIS, but tenders, utilities, large EPC buyers and export customers often ask for them. Running them alongside your BIS testing saves time:
| Test | Standard | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental (temperature, burn-in) | IEC 60068 | 3 days | ₹77,500 per model |
| Ingress protection (IP rating) | IEC 60529 | 2 days | ₹10,000 per model |
| EMI / EMC | IEC 61000 series | 10 days | ₹2,06,250 per family |
See our solar inverter testing services.
Step-by-Step: How Solar Inverter BIS Certification Works
- Product review: we confirm the inverter type, the standards, the series plan and the samples needed.
- Series planning: the highest-rated model is tested for safety and islanding to cover the series, while efficiency is tested for each model. Good planning keeps testing costs down.
- Sample submission: 3 samples for on-grid and hybrid, 2 for off-grid, sent to a BIS-recognised lab with the technical documents.
- Testing: about 7 weeks for on-grid and hybrid, 5 weeks for off-grid and 2 weeks for normal inverters.
- Application: we file on the BIS portal with the test reports, declared efficiency for each model and all documents.
- Grant: BIS issues the registration number, and you mark the BIS Standard Mark with it on the product.
- BEE label: for grid-connected inverters without storage, we register the models with BEE.
- Every year: we file the annual fee and production details to keep the licence active.
For a wider view of timelines, read how long BIS CRS registration takes.
Common Worries, Answered
"Will one failed test cost me everything again?"
No. If a sample fails, only the failed part is usually repeated after you fix the design. A design review before testing is the best way to avoid failures, and we do it as standard.
"Do I need a separate licence for every rating?"
Not necessarily. With a well-planned series, one licence can cover several ratings. Only the efficiency tests are per model.
"I import inverters. Who holds the licence?"
The licence is held by the manufacturer, for its factory. Foreign factories need an Authorised Indian Representative and pay the ₹27,000 government fee. Importers should check the registration covers the exact models and factory before shipping.
"Can I sell while my application is pending?"
No. Inverters can be sold only after the registration is granted and the product carries the BIS Standard Mark with its registration number.
"My inverter is a normal home inverter, not solar. Is it simpler?"
Yes. A single standard (IS 16242 Part 1:2025), about 2 weeks of testing from ₹40,000 to ₹45,000 and no additional report fee. The government fee is the same.
Why Manufacturers Choose Instacertify
- Complete coverage: BIS, BEE and IEC testing planned together, so nothing is missed.
- Always the best price: transparent quotes, no hidden charges, and series planning that cuts testing costs.
- On-time follow-through: we handle the lab, the BIS portal, queries and every annual renewal.
Ready to certify your inverter? See our BIS CRS registration service or talk to our team for a quote for your models.
Frequently asked questions
Is BIS certification mandatory for solar inverters?
Yes. Solar inverters must be registered with BIS under the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025 issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Without registration, you cannot manufacture, import or sell them in India.
Which standards apply to on-grid, hybrid and off-grid inverters?
On-grid and hybrid inverters are tested to IS 16221 (Part 2) for safety, IS 16169 for islanding prevention and IS 17980 for MPPT efficiency. Off-grid inverters are tested to IS 16221 (Part 2) and IS/IEC 61683 for efficiency; islanding (IS 16169) does not apply to them.
How many samples do I need for testing?
Three samples for on-grid and hybrid inverters, and two samples for off-grid inverters.
What are the government fees for solar inverter BIS registration?
₹7,000 for micro enterprises, ₹14,500 for small, ₹22,000 for medium, and ₹27,000 for large and foreign manufacturers. Each additional test report costs ₹20,000. GST is extra on all fees.
Is the BIS licence valid for only one year?
The government fee you pay covers one year. Since the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Amendment Regulations, 2026, the licence is granted for five years, but the fee and production details must be paid every year in advance. If they are not, the licence can be suspended.
How long does solar inverter testing take?
About 5 weeks for off-grid inverters and 7 weeks for on-grid and hybrid inverters. BEE efficiency testing takes about 4 weeks.
Can one licence cover several inverter ratings?
Yes, through a series. Under MNRE's series guidelines, the highest-rated model is tested for safety (IS 16221 Part 2) and islanding (IS 16169) and covers the series. Efficiency tests (IS/IEC 61683 and IS 17980) are done for each model, because efficiency changes from model to model.
Is the BEE star label mandatory for solar inverters?
Yes, from 1 January 2026, for grid-connected solar inverters without storage up to 100 kW. They must meet a minimum overall efficiency, from 92% below 1 kW up to 98% above 20 kW, and carry the BEE label. The inverter must be BIS certified first.
Do normal (non-solar) inverters and UPS need BIS?
Yes. UPS and inverters up to 10 kVA need BIS registration under IS 16242 (Part 1):2025. Testing starts from ₹40,000 to ₹45,000 for the complete system, and the government fees are the same as for solar inverters.
Are IEC environmental, IP and EMC tests mandatory for BIS?
No. BIS registration needs only the standards listed for your inverter type. IEC 60068, IEC 60529 and IEC 61000 tests are commonly asked for by tenders, utilities, large buyers and export customers, and we can run them alongside your BIS testing.