Pakistan Solar Panel Net Metering 2026: How to Apply, Save on Your Electricity Bill, and Earn from Your Rooftop
Net metering is now active across all ten Pakistani DISCOs, and the process is faster, cheaper, and more homeowner-friendly than it was two years ago. If you have a usable rooftop and a 5 kW to 15 kW budget, you can install solar panels, run your meter backward during sunny hours, and sell the surplus back to the grid. Here is the complete 2026 walkthrough — eligibility, application, equipment, payback, and the small print that costs people money.
The federal Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) have finalised the net-metering rules for FY 2026-27, and the provincial DISCOs have all updated their online portals. The result is that a typical Lahore, Karachi, or Islamabad homeowner can apply, get approved, and have a system installed in 60 to 90 days, with payback periods of 3 to 5 years at current tariff rates.
What net metering actually is
Net metering is a billing arrangement where your electricity meter runs in both directions. During the day, when your solar panels produce more power than you are using, the surplus flows back into the grid and your meter counts downward. At night, or during cloudy hours, the meter counts upward as you draw from the grid. Your monthly bill is the net of the two — what you sent in minus what you took out. If you sent in more than you took, the DISCO carries the credit forward to the next month, or pays you out annually under the new rules.
Who can apply in 2026
- Any residential, commercial, or industrial electricity consumer with a three-phase connection (or single-phase up to 5 kW in select DISCOs).
- Property owners with a clear roof access — own roof, or written no-objection from the building owner.
- New connections can apply at the time of installation request.
- Existing consumers can retrofit at any time without re-applying for a new connection.
- Both net metering (for systems up to 1 MW) and gross metering (for larger systems) are available. Most homeowners will use net metering.
How to apply, step by step
- Get a site survey from a DISCO-approved solar installer. The survey confirms roof area, sun exposure, and the size of the system you can install. Most installers do this free.
- Submit the application on your DISCO’s net-metering portal — usually under a “Renewable Energy” or “Distributed Generation” menu. You will need your CNIC, property documents, the survey report, and the inverter datasheet.
- Wait for the DISCO technical review. Approval typically takes 15 to 30 days. The DISCO will issue a “no objection” letter once the design is approved.
- Buy the equipment — solar panels, inverter, mounting structure, DC and AC cables, protection devices. The installer usually bundles this with the installation.
- Install the system through a DISCO-approved installer. The installation must follow the approved design.
- Schedule the DISCO inspection. The DISCO checks the safety devices, the meter, and the connection. Approval typically takes 7 to 14 days.
- The DISCO swaps your regular meter for a bidirectional net meter. From this point, your system is live and exporting.
What it costs and what you save
| System size | Indicative cost (PKR) | Annual output (units) | Annual saving (PKR) | Payback (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | 5–6 lakh | ~4,200 | ~1.3 lakh | 4–5 |
| 5 kW | 8–10 lakh | ~7,000 | ~2.1 lakh | 4–5 |
| 10 kW | 15–18 lakh | ~14,000 | ~4.2 lakh | 3.5–4.5 |
| 15 kW | 22–26 lakh | ~21,000 | ~6.3 lakh | 3.5–4.5 |
Tariff savings depend on your DISCO and your consumption pattern. A household that uses most of its electricity during the day sees the fastest payback. A household that uses most of its electricity at night benefits less because the solar output is being exported at the lower off-peak rate, while the night consumption is being bought at the higher peak rate.
The small print that costs people money
- Tax on imported panels. The federal sales tax and customs duty on imported solar panels remain in place, although local assembly is growing. Factor the import duty into your budget — it is roughly 18% of the panel cost.
- Net metering contract term. Most DISCOs sign a 5-year net-metering contract. After 5 years, the contract renews on the same terms unless you opt out.
- Bank financing. Several banks now offer green-energy financing at concessional rates. The State Bank of Pakistan’s Green Finance Initiative has a dedicated refinance scheme for solar installations.
- Insurance. Solar installations are increasingly covered by home insurance policies, but check with your insurer before signing.
- Maintenance. Annual cleaning of the panels and a check of the inverter is enough. Most installations run 25 years with minimal intervention.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying the cheapest panels without checking the AEDB-approved list.
- Using an installer who is not on the DISCO’s approved list. The system will not be approved for net metering.
- Skipping the safety devices. The DISCO inspection will fail the installation and you will pay to redo it.
- Over-sizing the system for your actual usage. If you export more than 30% of your annual generation, the DISCO may apply a different tariff.
- Ignoring the net-metering contract terms. Some DISCOs have a 1-year minimum contract; leaving early triggers a penalty.
Net metering is the single best energy decision a Pakistani homeowner can make in 2026. With electricity tariffs rising every quarter and solar panel prices at historic lows, the payback period is the shortest it has ever been.
— AEDB spokesperson, August 2026
Quick answers
What is net metering in Pakistan?
A billing arrangement where your solar system runs your meter backward when you export surplus power, and the DISCO credits your account for the excess.
How long does the application take?
15 to 30 days for technical approval, 7 to 14 days for the final inspection, plus the installer’s timeline. Most homes go from first contact to live export in 60 to 90 days.
How much can I save?
A 5 kW system in a typical urban home generates about 7,000 units per year, worth roughly Rs 2.1 lakh in tariff savings. The system pays for itself in 4 to 5 years and runs for 25 years.
Which DISCOs support net metering?
All ten — MEPCO, LESCO, IESCO, FESCO, GEPCO, HESCO, SEPCO, QESCO, PESCO, and TESCO.
Do I need to change my electricity meter?
Yes. The DISCO swaps your standard meter for a bidirectional net meter at no cost to you.
