Pakistan's rooftop solar rules changed in February 2026 when NEPRA notified the Prosumer Regulations 2026, moving new and renewed solar connections from net metering to net billing. Many consumers are confused about what this means for their bills. This article compares the two systems side by side.
As policies have been revised several times, confirm the latest rules with NEPRA and your DISCO.
The basic difference
Net metering: exported units are subtracted from imported units. You pay (or are credited) for the net difference. One exported unit was roughly as valuable as one imported unit.
Net billing: imported units are charged at the full consumer tariff, while exported units are bought at a lower rate linked to the national average energy purchase price (reported around Rs 11 per unit in February 2026). The two values are calculated separately and then netted in money, not in units.
Side-by-side comparison
- Value of an exported unit: net metering — close to the retail tariff; net billing — much lower buyback rate.
- Value of a self-consumed unit: same in both — every unit you use directly avoids buying from the grid at the full tariff.
- Agreement term: older net metering agreements were seven years; new net billing agreements are reported at five years.
- Who it applies to: net metering continues for existing consumers until their agreement ends; net billing applies to new connections and renewals.
- System size: both are capped at 1 MW and limited by sanctioned load.
- Metering: both use two-way metering (bidirectional meter or two meters).
Worked example
Assume a home imports 500 units and exports 350 units in a month, with an illustrative import cost of Rs 50 per unit.
Under net metering: net units = 500 − 350 = 150 units → about Rs 7,500 before taxes.
Under net billing: import cost = 500 × 50 = Rs 25,000; export credit = 350 × 11 = Rs 3,850; net ≈ Rs 21,150 before taxes.
The difference shows why exporting electricity is now far less valuable than using it yourself. (These figures are examples only.)
Why the government made the change
Officials argued that rapid solar growth under net metering shifted grid costs — such as capacity payments — onto consumers without solar, many of them lower-income households. Solar associations and consumers argued the change reduces returns and discourages clean energy. Both perspectives are part of an ongoing public debate.
Which is better for consumers?
For the solar owner, net metering was clearly more generous. But if you are installing solar now, net billing is the framework that will apply, so the useful question is how to get the best value under it:
- Use solar power during the day for ACs, pumps and appliances.
- Avoid oversizing your system for export.
- Consider a hybrid system with batteries if your evening use is high.
- Keep your existing net metering agreement in force until expiry if you have one, and track the renewal date.
Checklist before installing solar in 2026
- Check your sanctioned load and whether you need to increase it.
- Ask your installer for an estimate of self-consumption vs export.
- Confirm the current buyback rate and agreement term with your DISCO.
- Make sure your transformer has capacity for new solar connections.
Read our separate guides on net metering and net billing for more detail.