Net Billing Process in Pakistan: Solar Export Guide 2026
Your solar panels make extra electricity during the day. Net billing lets you export that surplus to the grid and earn credits on your bill. This guide walks through the full process in Pakistan: application, NOC, inspection, green meter, agreement, and billing.
What net billing actually is
Net billing is a billing arrangement. Your solar system connects to the grid through a bidirectional (green) meter that records electricity flowing in both directions. By day your panels power your home and surplus units flow to the grid; at night you draw from the grid. Unlike the old net metering system, imported and exported units are valued differently: night-time imports are billed at the normal retail tariff (around Rs 40 to 60 per unit), while your daytime exports earn credit at roughly Rs 10 to 11 per unit. It works only on a grid-connected on-grid or hybrid system.
The 6 steps of the process
- Apply to your DISCO (LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO, K-Electric, etc.) with your consumer reference number, CNIC, proposed system size in kW, inverter and panel details.
- Technical assessment and NOC: the DISCO checks whether your transformer and feeder can handle the export, then issues a No Objection Certificate.
- Install the system: your installer mounts panels and wires a grid-tied inverter with anti-islanding protection (it shuts down when the grid goes out, keeping line workers safe).
- DISCO inspection: a DISCO team checks wiring, inverter settings, earthing and safety devices against the approved design.
- Green meter installation: the DISCO installs the bidirectional meter that separately records imported and exported units.
- Sign the net billing agreement: the five-year contract fixing the export credit rate, agreement duration, and settlement rules.
Readiness checklist
Tick each item before you spend money on equipment.
Monthly export savings estimator
Estimate what your exported units could be worth. The export rate is editable because NEPRA revises it.
Common problems and how to avoid them
- Approval delays: follow up at the subdivision office every couple of weeks; do not assume the file is moving.
- Transformer capacity refusals: ask your installer to check feeder capacity before you buy equipment, not after.
- Inspection failures: cheap wiring gets flagged; use an installer with a track record of passed inspections.
- Oversized systems: the export rate is much lower than the retail rate, so size the system to your actual daytime use — self-consumption saves more than exporting.
Related tools: Solar Load Calculator, Net Metering Calculator, Solar Payback Calculator.
Related guides: Solar System Size for 1.5 Ton AC, Solar Panel Output in Winter in Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between net metering and net billing in Pakistan?
NEPRA repealed the 2015 net metering regulations on 9 February 2026. New solar connections now use net billing under the NEPRA (Prosumer) Regulations 2026: exported units are credited at roughly Rs 10 to 11 per unit instead of being netted one-for-one against imported units.
How do I apply for net billing in Pakistan?
Apply to your DISCO (LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO, K-Electric, etc.) with your consumer reference number, CNIC, and proposed system size, which must stay within your sanctioned load (1 MW ceiling). The DISCO runs a technical assessment, issues an NOC, your installer completes the system, a DISCO team inspects it, then the green meter is installed and a five-year net billing agreement is signed.
How much does the DISCO pay for exported units under net billing?
Roughly Rs 10 to 11 per unit, far below the retail import tariff of around Rs 40 to 60 per unit. Because the export rate is much lower than what you pay for night-time grid units, sizing your system to your actual daytime use matters more than ever. Always confirm the current rate with your DISCO before investing.
How long does net billing approval take in Pakistan?
The full process — application, technical assessment, installation, DISCO inspection, green meter installation, and the agreement — typically takes several weeks to a few months depending on the DISCO. The inspection and meter installation stages are where most delays happen, so regular follow-ups at your subdivision office help.
Can I use net billing with an off-grid solar system?
No. Net billing requires a grid-connected on-grid or hybrid solar system that synchronizes with the DISCO network. Purely off-grid systems with batteries are not connected to the grid, so there is nothing to export and no net billing agreement applies.