Net Metering vs Net Billing in Pakistan (2026 Rules)
What NEPRA changed in February 2026, what it does to your payback math, and how to size a system for the new rules.
The short answer
In February 2026, NEPRA replaced one-to-one net metering with net billing for new solar connections. Under the old system, every unit you exported cancelled one unit you imported — the grid was a free battery. Under net billing, your exports are credited at roughly Rs 10–11 per unit (the national average energy purchase price, as reported), while your imports are billed at the full retail tariff of Rs 37–55+ per unit. Solar still pays — but now the money is in using your own power, not exporting it. All policy figures below are reported values; confirm your DISCO's current terms before you size or buy.
Net metering vs net billing: the comparison
| Feature | Old: net metering (pre-2026) | New: net billing (2026 rules) |
|---|---|---|
| Export credit | ~Rs 22–27/unit (1:1 offset) | ~Rs 10–11/unit (NAEPP, reported) |
| Import charge | Retail tariff | Retail tariff (Rs 37–55+) |
| Billing logic | Units cancel out | Imports and exports valued separately |
| Contract period | 7 years | 5 years |
| System size cap | Up to 150% of sanctioned load | Max = sanctioned load (1 kW–1 MW) |
| Who it suits | Export-heavy setups | High self-consumption setups |
The killer example: export 100 units and import 100 units. Under old net metering your bill for those units was Rs 0. Under net billing you earn roughly Rs 1,100 in credits and pay roughly Rs 4,500–6,000 for imports. Same panels, very different bill.
How this changes payback math and sizing
Three things change. First, self-consumption is everything. A unit you use directly during the day saves the full Rs 40–60+ retail tariff; the same unit exported earns ~Rs 11. Shift heavy loads — AC, water pump, washing machine — into solar hours. Second, don't oversize. Under net metering, a bigger array meant bigger 1:1 credits. Under net billing, every kW beyond your daytime use mostly generates Rs 11 export credits — a weak return on the extra panels. Size to your actual daytime load with the Pakistan solar calculator. Third, batteries got more attractive. Storing a daytime unit and using it at night captures the Rs 11 → Rs 50 spread that exporting throws away.
Who should still install solar?
- Daytime-heavy households. Home offices, shops, and families running ACs through the afternoon capture most of their generation at full retail value. Reported payback: roughly 3.5–4.5 years on a 10 kW system.
- Load-shedding areas. A hybrid system with batteries turns outages from a crisis into a non-event — and net billing's math now rewards the storage anyway.
- High-slab consumers. The higher your retail tariff, the more each self-consumed unit is worth. If you're in the top slabs, solar is still one of the best investments available.
- Existing net metering holders. Your old terms are reported to hold until your agreement expires — your system just got relatively more valuable. Don't let it lapse without checking renewal terms.
The one group that should pause: anyone whose plan was a max-size array purely to bank export credits. That strategy died with the 1:1 offset. Everyone else — size for self-consumption, and the numbers still work.
Net billing FAQ
Straight answers, no fluff. Policy figures are reported — verify with your DISCO.
What changed in Pakistan's solar rules in 2026?
NEPRA's Prosumer Regulations 2026 (notified February 9, 2026) replaced the 2015 one-to-one net metering policy with net billing for new connections. Exported solar units are now credited at the National Average Energy Purchase Price — reported around Rs 10–11 per unit — instead of offsetting imports unit-for-unit at the retail tariff. Confirm your DISCO's current terms before sizing.
What is the net billing export rate in Pakistan?
Surplus exported under the 2026 rules is credited at roughly Rs 10–11 per unit (the national average energy purchase price), compared with about Rs 22–27 per unit under the old net metering. The rate is reported, not guaranteed — NEPRA can revise it, so verify with your DISCO.
Are existing net metering customers affected by the 2026 rules?
Existing net metering agreements are reported to keep their old terms until they expire (confirmed in an April 2026 amendment), after which renewals fall under net billing. If you already have solar, check your agreement's expiry date and confirm with your DISCO.
Is solar still worth it in Pakistan under net billing?
Yes for most households with real daytime electricity use. A self-consumed solar unit saves the full retail tariff (Rs 40–60+), so the game is now using your own power, not exporting it. Reported payback for a 10 kW system is roughly 3.5–4.5 years depending on your self-consumption ratio.
Should I get batteries under net billing?
Batteries are more attractive than before. Exporting a daytime surplus earns only ~Rs 11, while importing the same unit at night costs Rs 40–60 — storing it in a battery captures that spread. Size the bank with our battery size calculator before committing.
How should I size my system under net billing?
Size to your daytime consumption, not to the maximum your roof or sanctioned load allows. Every extra kW beyond your daytime use mostly generates Rs 11 export credits — a far weaker return than offsetting your own Rs 50 units. Our Pakistan calculator sizes from your bill.
What is the contract period under the 2026 rules?
Five years for new prosumers (down from seven), renewable by mutual consent. Systems must be between 1 kW and 1 MW and cannot exceed your sanctioned load.
Run your own numbers
Reading is good. Math is better. Size a system for your daytime use — and the battery bank to match — in the free calculators.