Pakistan Sasta Solar Scheme 2026: The 100,000 Solar Homes Programme, Who Is Eligible, and How to Apply
The federal government has launched the Sasta Solar Scheme (literally “Cheap Solar”), a Rs 75 billion programme to install rooftop solar on 100,000 households across Pakistan over the next 18 months, with a heavy subsidy on the system cost and free installation for households below the poverty line. The scheme opened for applications on 1 September 2026 and is being delivered through the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) in partnership with the provincial power distribution companies. Here is how the scheme works, who is eligible, what it costs, and how to apply.
The Sasta Solar Scheme is the largest residential solar subsidy programme in Pakistan’s history. It sits alongside the existing net-metering framework for households that can afford the full upfront cost, and it is specifically designed to reach the 60% of Pakistani households that have unreliable electricity and cannot afford a Rs 350,000 solar system without help. The scheme was announced in the FY 2026-27 federal budget with a Rs 75 billion allocation through June 2028, and the first round of applications is targeting 100,000 households across all four provinces, AJK, GB, and ICT.
What the scheme offers
The scheme offers three subsidy tiers based on household income and consumption, with the system size matched to the household’s typical electricity bill. The tier structure is:
| Tier | Monthly bill | Household income | Subsidy | You pay | System size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A (Free) | Less than Rs 5,000 | Below poverty line or BISP beneficiary | 100% | Rs 0 | 2-3 kW |
| B (Subsidised) | Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 | Low-income, non-filer | 60% | 40% of cost | 3-5 kW |
| C (Partial subsidy) | Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 | Middle-income, filer | 25% | 75% of cost | 5-8 kW |
Indicative system costs (before subsidy): 3 kW is roughly Rs 350,000, 5 kW is roughly Rs 580,000, 8 kW is roughly Rs 920,000. The system cost includes panels, inverter, mounting structure, wiring, and installation.
What the subsidy covers
The subsidy covers the full system cost for Tier A applicants, 60% of the system cost for Tier B, and 25% for Tier C. The subsidy also includes:
- Free site survey and system design
- Free installation by a NEECA-certified installer
- Free net-metering setup with the local DISCO (for systems up to 5 kW; 5-8 kW requires the regular net-metering approval)
- 5-year comprehensive warranty on the panels and inverter
- 1-year free maintenance and cleaning
- Insurance for the first year against theft and natural damage
What the subsidy does not cover:
- Battery backup (the system is grid-tied only; battery backup is an optional extra the homeowner can buy separately)
- Roof repairs or roof strengthening (the household is responsible for ensuring the roof can hold the panels)
- Any extension of the warranty beyond the 5-year coverage
- Maintenance after the first year
Who is eligible
The eligibility criteria for each tier are:
Tier A (free, full subsidy):
- Active BISP beneficiary (verified through the BISP database)
- OR household income below the official poverty line of Rs 39,000 per month
- AND the household has a valid CNIC and a registered electricity connection in the applicant’s name
- AND the rooftop has at least 200 square feet of usable unshaded area
Tier B (60% subsidy):
- Monthly electricity bill between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000
- Not in the Active Taxpayers List (income tax filers don’t qualify for Tier B; they go to Tier C)
- AND the household has a valid CNIC and a registered electricity connection
- AND the rooftop has at least 300 square feet of usable unshaded area
Tier C (25% subsidy):
- Monthly electricity bill between Rs 15,000 and Rs 30,000
- Income tax filer (must be on the ATL)
- AND the household has a valid CNIC and a registered electricity connection
- AND the rooftop has at least 400 square feet of usable unshaded area
Common exclusions across all tiers:
- Government employees (current or retired with pension)
- Tax filers above the highest tax bracket
- Households with a commercial or industrial electricity connection
- Properties with active tax liens or unpaid electricity bills above 90 days
- Properties flagged as benami by the FBR
How to apply
The application is fully digital, with in-person assistance available at any of the 36 NEECA facilitation centres across Pakistan. The step-by-step flow:
- Register on the Sasta Solar portal at sastasolar.gov.pk using your CNIC number and a valid mobile number
- Verify your electricity connection by entering your 14-digit reference number from your electricity bill. The system confirms your monthly bill range, which determines your tier
- Verify your eligibility automatically: BISP beneficiaries and ATL filers are matched against the BISP and FBR databases respectively
- Upload documents: CNIC front and back, recent electricity bill, roof photo (one or two photos showing the unshaded area)
- Schedule the site survey: a NEECA-certified surveyor visits the house within 14 days to confirm the roof area, shading, and connection capacity
- Receive the approval within 30 days of the site survey, with the system design and the subsidy amount confirmed
- Pay your contribution (if any) to the NEECA-designated bank account or via 1Bill
- Schedule the installation: a NEECA-certified installer completes the installation within 30 days of approval
- Net-metering activation: the DISCO installs the bidirectional meter within 14 days of system commissioning
- System handover: the homeowner receives the warranty documents, the user manual, and the 1-year maintenance agreement
What the typical savings look like
For a Tier A household with a 3 kW system in a sunny region (Punjab, Sindh, southern KP):
- System generates roughly 12 to 15 units per day, or 360 to 450 units per month
- At a typical household consumption of 250 to 300 units per month, the system covers 100% of the bill with surplus exported to the grid
- Monthly bill savings: Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000
- Annual savings: Rs 60,000 to Rs 96,000
- Payback period for the system (at zero contribution): 0 months (immediate)
- System lifetime: 25 years (panels) / 10 years (inverter)
- Lifetime savings: Rs 15 lakh to Rs 24 lakh
For a Tier B household with a 5 kW system at 40% of cost (Rs 232,000 out of pocket):
- System generates roughly 20 to 25 units per day, or 600 to 750 units per month
- At a typical household consumption of 450 to 550 units per month, the system covers 100% of the bill with surplus exported
- Monthly bill savings: Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000
- Annual savings: Rs 96,000 to Rs 144,000
- Payback period: 19 to 29 months
- Lifetime savings: Rs 24 lakh to Rs 36 lakh, minus the Rs 232,000 contribution
What the timeline looks like for the first 100,000 households
- September to October 2026: applications open across all 36 NEECA centres and the online portal. First 50,000 applications targeted in Tier A and Tier B
- November to December 2026: site surveys and approvals for the first 50,000. Installations begin in December
- January to June 2027: 50,000 more approvals and installations. Total Tier A + Tier B households: 80,000
- July to December 2027: 20,000 more Tier C approvals and installations. Total: 100,000 households
- January to June 2028: monitoring, warranty service, and data collection for the next phase
The next phase of the scheme (2028-2030) is expected to scale to 500,000 households, subject to IMF programme review and budget allocation.
What to do if your application is rejected
The most common rejection reasons and how to fix each:
- BISP database mismatch: your BISP status is not active. Visit the BISP Tehsil Office to confirm or restore your status before reapplying.
- Roof too small or shaded: the site surveyor concluded the roof has insufficient unshaded area. You can trim trees or relocate an obstruction and request a resurvey.
- Connection in someone else’s name: transfer the electricity connection into your name first (DISCO process takes 30 to 60 days).
- Unpaid electricity bills: clear the arrears with the DISCO and request a No Objection Certificate before reapplying.
- Roof structural concerns: the surveyor flagged the roof as not strong enough for the panels. Get a structural assessment from a civil engineer and reapply with the assessment report.
Quick answers
How much does the Sasta Solar Scheme system cost?
Rs 0 for Tier A (BISP beneficiaries), 40% of cost (around Rs 140,000 to Rs 232,000) for Tier B, and 75% of cost (around Rs 263,000 to Rs 690,000) for Tier C. The system is 3 to 8 kW depending on the tier.
How long does the application process take?
30 to 60 days from online application to system commissioning: 14 days for the site survey, 30 days for approval, 30 days for installation, 14 days for net-metering activation.
What is the system warranty?
5 years on panels and inverter, 1 year on installation workmanship, 1 year free maintenance and cleaning.
Can I add battery backup later?
Yes, but it’s not subsidised. Battery backup is a separate purchase from any certified installer, typically Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000 for a 5 to 10 kWh battery that provides 4 to 8 hours of backup.
What if I sell my house after getting the system installed?
The system stays with the house and transfers to the new owner. The 5-year panel warranty and the 1-year maintenance agreement also transfer. The new owner gets the net-metering arrangement and the bill savings.
