Solar Energy & Conservation

Solar Net Metering in Pakistan: Complete Step-by-Step Guide, Green Meter & Billing

📅 Updated: September 2026 ⏱️ 10 Min Read ✍️ Renewable Energy Advisory

With electricity unit prices surging in Pakistan, residential and commercial consumers are rapidly turning to rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with Net Metering. Net metering allows you to export excess electricity generated during sunny daytime hours back to the national grid in exchange for bill credits.

This comprehensive guide details the eligibility criteria, NEPRA regulations, step-by-step application workflow, and how to read the net metering calculation section on your DISCO electricity bill.

SOLAR NET METERING POWER FLOW ARCHITECTURE ☀️ Rooftop Solar Generates DC Power DC ⚡ On-Grid Inverter Converts to 230V AC AC 🔄 Bi-Directional Meter Records Import & Export 🏭 WAPDA Grid During daytime: Solar powers home first → Excess exports to Grid → Night time: Home imports from Grid.
Figure 1: Grid-tied Solar Net Metering Architecture in Pakistan.

1. What is a Bi-Directional "Green Meter"?

A standard electricity meter only spins in one direction, recording the electricity you pull from the grid (Import Units). If you attach a solar system without a net meter, the solar energy pushed into the grid may wrongly be billed to you as consumption.

A Bi-Directional Green Meter has specialized internal programming that records two separate unit registers:

SCREEN 1: IMPORT UNITS (from Grid) 01482.50 kWh Units consumed by your household SCREEN 2: EXPORT UNITS (to Grid) 02150.80 kWh Surplus solar power pushed to WAPDA
Figure 2: Reading the Import (Consumed) and Export (Produced) Screens on a Green Meter.

2. Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering in Pakistan

To qualify for net metering under NEPRA SRO 892(I)/2015 regulations:

  1. Three-Phase Connection: You must have a sanctioned 3-phase electricity meter. If you have a single-phase connection, you must first apply for a 3-phase load extension.
  2. Approved On-Grid Inverter: The solar inverter must be on NEPRA's certified Type-Approval list (e.g. Huawei, Sungrow, Growatt, Solis, Knox, GoodWe, Inverex).
  3. Sanctioned Load Match: The solar inverter capacity must not exceed 1.5 times the sanctioned load of your electricity connection.

3. How Net Metering Billing & Unit Settlement Works

At the end of each billing month, the DISCO subtracts your Export Units from your Import Units:

MONTHLY NET METERING BILL SETTLEMENT CALCULATION • Total Units Imported from Grid (Night / ACs): 600 kWh • Total Units Exported from Solar (Daytime): 850 kWh Net Monthly Balance: +250 kWh Credit (Surplus)
Figure 3: Monthly Netting: Surplus units are carried forward as credit to offset future winter months.
⚡ Unit Settlement Rules:

If your Export > Import: You pay Rs 0 energy charges, and your surplus units are credited to your account. Every 3 months (Quarterly), the DISCO pays you for accumulated surplus units or offsets your fixed meter rent!

4. Application Process & Required Documents

Conclusion

Solar Net Metering is the single most effective way to eliminate electricity bills in Pakistan and achieve energy independence. Check your latest electricity bill on BillsOnlinePk to verify your sanctioned load before applying for net metering!