Net metering allows solar owners in Pakistan to sell excess electricity to the grid and receive credits on their bill. This complete guide covers NEPRA regulations, eligibility, all DISCOs, step-by-step application, billing explained, and how much you can actually save.
Net metering is a billing arrangement approved by NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) that allows solar system owners to export excess electricity to the national grid and receive credits against their electricity consumption.
Under NEPRA's Net Metering Regulations, the following consumers are eligible:
All 9 major distribution companies in Pakistan support net metering under NEPRA regulations. Approval times and processing efficiency vary significantly:
Fastest processing. 4–8 weeks typical. Most experienced with solar approvals in Pakistan.
Covers South Punjab. 6–12 weeks. High solar adoption area.
Covers Islamabad/Rawalpindi. 5–10 weeks. Good processing record.
Covers Gujranwala, Sialkot. 8–14 weeks.
Covers Faisalabad, Sargodha. 8–14 weeks.
Covers Hyderabad, interior Sindh. 10–16 weeks.
Covers upper Sindh. 10–16 weeks.
Covers KPK. 10–16 weeks. Growing solar market.
Private DISCO. 6–14 weeks. Has own net metering process — slightly different from NEPRA standard.
Your AEDB-registered installer should handle the net metering application as part of their service. Always confirm this is included in your installation contract before signing.
Select an installer registered with the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB). Only AEDB-registered installers can submit net metering applications. Ask for their AEDB registration certificate before signing any contract. Verify it is current (not expired).
Your installer installs the solar system according to DISCO technical specifications. The inverter must be on NEPRA's approved equipment list. Your installer should verify this before purchasing equipment. Improper installation can result in rejection of the net metering application.
Gather all required documents (see Section 5 below). Your installer will prepare the technical documents — single-line diagram, inverter specs, panel specs, installation certificate. You provide the personal and connection documents.
Your installer submits the net metering application to your DISCO's customer service center along with all documentation. Pay the required application fee (varies by DISCO and system size — typically Rs. 5,000–25,000). Keep the application receipt.
The DISCO sends a technical team to inspect your installation. They check inverter settings, protection devices, wiring, earthing, and safety compliance. Be present during this inspection. Your installer should accompany the inspection team.
After approval, the DISCO installs a bi-directional (import/export) meter at your premises. This replaces your existing single-direction meter. The meter records both units imported from the grid and units exported to the grid separately. There may be a meter installation fee (Rs. 3,000–8,000 typically).
From the first billing cycle after meter installation, your bill will show both import and export readings. You'll see "units imported" and "units exported" on your bill. Net metering credits begin immediately. Your first bill may show a significant reduction.
Understanding your net metering bill prevents confusion and helps you verify you're getting full credit for your exported units.
| Bill Line Item | What It Means | Example (5kW system, Lahore) |
|---|---|---|
| Units Imported | Electricity you consumed from DISCO grid | 350 units/month |
| Units Exported | Excess solar electricity sent to grid | 280 units/month |
| Net Units Billed | Imported minus exported (what you pay for) | 70 units |
| Energy Charges | Your 70 net units × current tariff rate | ~Rs. 3,150 (at Rs. 45/unit) |
| Fixed Charges | Meter rent, FC surcharge — not offset by solar | Rs. 1,500–3,000 |
| Total Bill | Energy charges + fixed charges + taxes | ~Rs. 6,000–8,000 |
| Pre-solar bill | Without solar (630 units × Rs. 45) | ~Rs. 32,000+ |
Savings depend on your system size, city (sun hours), consumption pattern, and current tariff. Here are realistic estimates for a 5kW system:
| City | Monthly Generation | Monthly Bill Reduction | Annual Savings | 5-Year Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quetta | ~745 kWh | Rs. 28,000–33,000 | ~Rs. 3.7 Lac | ~Rs. 18.5 Lac |
| Karachi | ~638 kWh | Rs. 24,000–28,000 | ~Rs. 3.2 Lac | ~Rs. 16 Lac |
| Multan | ~585 kWh | Rs. 22,000–26,000 | ~Rs. 2.9 Lac | ~Rs. 14.5 Lac |
| Lahore | ~531 kWh | Rs. 20,000–24,000 | ~Rs. 2.6 Lac | ~Rs. 13 Lac |
| Islamabad | ~478 kWh | Rs. 18,000–21,000 | ~Rs. 2.3 Lac | ~Rs. 11.5 Lac |
*Savings at Rs. 45/unit. Actual savings increase as electricity tariffs rise. Fixed charges (Rs. 2,000–5,000/month) are not offset by net metering and are excluded from savings.
Common reasons: Non-AEDB installer, inverter not on approved list, system size exceeds sanctioned load, incomplete documents. Solution: Use AEDB-registered installer, verify inverter approval before purchasing, check sanctioned load on your electricity bill.
NEPRA mandated timeline: DISCOs must process net metering applications within 30 days of complete documentation. If delayed beyond this, you can file a complaint with NEPRA's consumer portal (nepra.org.pk). Keep all submission receipts with dates as evidence.
Solution: Check that bi-directional meter is correctly configured. Compare meter readings on site vs bill. If discrepancy, contact DISCO billing department with meter photo and bill copy. Your installer can also verify inverter export data via monitoring app.
Export rates have changed multiple times since 2015. Earlier adopters may have different rate agreements. Confirm your current DISCO export rate directly with the billing department — rates in 2026 may differ from what you read on older forums or from neighbours who applied years earlier.
Net metering in Pakistan is a NEPRA-regulated arrangement where solar system owners can export excess electricity to their DISCO grid and receive bill credits in return. During the day, your solar panels generate electricity — what you don't use gets exported to the grid. At night you import from the grid as normal. Your monthly bill is calculated on the net difference (imports minus exports). All 9 major DISCOs in Pakistan offer net metering under NEPRA regulations.
NEPRA mandates 30-day processing — but in practice most DISCOs take longer. Your AEDB-registered installer handles the application. Ensure net metering application is included in your installation contract.
NEPRA revised net metering export rates in 2025–2026. Export rates in most DISCOs are now at "avoided cost" — which is lower than the retail tariff you pay when importing from the grid. The exact rate varies by DISCO and is updated periodically. Confirm your specific DISCO's current export rate before installation. Net metering remains financially very attractive even at reduced export rates — a 5kW system in Lahore still saves Rs. 20,000–24,000/month including both self-consumption savings and export credits.
No — net metering applications in Pakistan must be submitted by an AEDB-registered installer. The application requires technical documentation (single-line diagram, installation certificate, installer AEDB certificate) that only a registered installer can provide. Attempting to install solar yourself and apply for net metering without an AEDB installer will result in rejection. Always use an AEDB-registered professional — it also ensures proper installation safety and protects your inverter warranty.
If your exported units exceed your imported units in a given month, the excess credits roll forward to the next month's bill. At the end of the annual billing cycle (typically June or December depending on DISCO), any remaining unused credits may lapse — they are generally not paid out in cash by DISCOs. This is why it's important not to massively oversize your system beyond your actual consumption — excess generation beyond your annual consumption provides diminishing returns.
Yes — hybrid inverters with battery storage are fully compatible with net metering in Pakistan. Your hybrid inverter manages three sources simultaneously: solar panels, battery storage, and the grid. During the day: solar charges battery + powers loads + exports excess to grid. During load-shedding: solar + battery powers loads, no grid interaction. At night: battery powers loads, and any shortfall is imported from grid. All net metering-approved hybrid inverters (GoodWe ES, Sungrow SH, Solis RHI, etc.) support this mode of operation.
Calculate your system size first — then connect with an AEDB-registered installer in your city who handles the complete net metering application process.
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