Net Metering in Pakistan: How to Sell Solar Back to the Grid

Net metering lets a solar system owner draw electricity from the grid when the sun is not shining and feed surplus solar power back to the grid when production exceeds consumption — paying only the net difference on the monthly bill. In Pakistan, the framework is provided by NEPRA's Net Metering Regulations (2015, updated 2022), and every licensed DISCO is required to offer it.

Who Can Apply for Net Metering?

Any DISCO consumer in Pakistan with a valid electricity connection can apply for net metering, provided their solar (or other renewable) system meets NEPRA's technical requirements. The eligibility criteria:

• Minimum system size: 1 kW (residential domestic connections)
• Maximum system size: 1 MW for grid-connected distributed generation
• System type: solar PV, wind, micro-hydel, or biogas — solar PV covers almost all domestic applications
• Inverter must be grid-synchronous and have anti-islanding protection (standard on all reputable brands)
• Existing DISCO connection in good standing — no outstanding dues or unresolved complaints
• System installed by a NEPRA-licensed system installer — required for the technical audit

How the Bill Works Under Net Metering

Your bi-directional meter tracks two numbers: import units (drawn from the grid) and export units (fed into the grid from your solar array). At month-end, the DISCO calculates: (import units × your applicable tariff rate) minus (export units × the applicable export rate). You pay only the positive net amount.

Currently under NEPRA regulations, the export rate is set equal to the consumer's applicable tariff rate — so each unit you export offsets one unit you would have imported at the same cost. If your exports exceed your imports in a given month, the credit is carried forward to the following month's bill. Cash payouts for surplus generation are not currently available under the standard net metering framework — credits carry forward indefinitely but are not refunded.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Net Meter

The application process involves both the solar installer and your DISCO:

• Have a NEPRA-licensed solar installer assess your roof, design the system, and confirm grid-connection feasibility
• Installer submits a Generation License Application on your behalf to NEPRA (for systems above 25 kW; below 25 kW, only DISCO approval is needed)
• Submit the net metering application to your DISCO — most DISCOs have an online ENC/net metering portal
• Required documents: CNIC, existing electricity bill, wiring diagram, inverter specifications, installer license
• DISCO technical team conducts a site visit to assess feeder capacity and approve the grid interconnection
• DISCO approves the application and installs the bi-directional meter (there may be a metering fee)
• System is energized — your first net-metered bill typically arrives 4–6 weeks after energization
• Full process timeline: 4–12 weeks depending on DISCO workload and feeder congestion

Common Reasons for Net Metering Delays or Refusals

Not every application is approved immediately, and some are refused. The most frequent issues:

• Feeder congestion — the local distribution feeder is already at capacity and cannot accept more export; no immediate fix except waiting for feeder upgrade
• Transformer overloaded — local transformer has no headroom; may be resolved by DISCO with a transformer upgrade on a priority basis if multiple consumers apply
• System not installed by a NEPRA-licensed installer — the technical audit will fail
• Inverter not compliant with grid protection requirements — check NEPRA's approved equipment list before purchasing
• Outstanding dues on the existing connection — must be cleared before application

Is Net Metering Worth It Financially?

For households with significant daytime loads (businesses, shops, homes occupied during the day, or households with multiple ACs running in summer), net metering dramatically improves solar payback because every unit produced either replaces an expensive grid unit or offsets a future night-time import at equal rate. Systems can pay back in 3–5 years in high-bill scenarios.

For households with minimal daytime electricity use — where most consumption is in the evening and at night — net metering is less impactful unless you have battery storage. In that case, a hybrid system with battery backup captures daytime production for evening use rather than exporting it, which may be more financially efficient than pure grid export depending on your consumption profile.

Before applying, calculate your expected monthly export by asking your installer for a production estimate specific to your location, roof orientation, and system size. Compare that estimate to your current bill using CheckBills.net — the maths are straightforward once you have both numbers.