What Was Net Metering (The Old System)?
Net metering let your exported solar units cancel out your imported units, unit for unit, at the same rate.
- You send extra solar power to the grid during the day.
- Your meter runs backward and records it as a credit.
- At night, you pull power back from the grid.
- At the end of the month, you only pay for the difference.
- 1 unit exported was worth exactly 1 unit imported.
This made bigger solar systems attractive, because any leftover power still paid you back in full.
What Is Net Billing (The New System)?
Net billing pays you a separate, lower rate for the power you export, while you still pay the full retail rate for the power you use from the grid.
- Exported units and imported units are no longer equal in value.
- Export is paid at a “buyback rate” set by NEPRA.
- Import is billed at your normal DISCO tariff.
- The two amounts are calculated separately, then adjusted on your bill.
- Self-consumption (using your own solar power right away) is now far more valuable than exporting it.
Net Billing vs Net Metering Pakistan: Key Differences
| Point | Net Metering (Old) | Net Billing (New) |
|---|
| Export value | Same as retail rate | Lower “buyback” rate |
| Import value | Retail tariff | Retail tariff |
| Meter type | Reverses on export | Records import and export separately |
| Who it suits | Oversized systems | Systems sized for self-use |
| Contract length | Up to 7 years (old agreements) | 5 years for new agreements |
What Actually Changed in 2026?
NEPRA formally notified the Prosumer Regulations 2026, marking the official shift from net metering to net billing. Here is the short version of the timeline:
- February 9, 2026 — NEPRA notified the new regulations, shifting all prosumers to net billing and cutting the buyback rate for future prosumers to roughly Rs 10-11 per unit, down from about Rs 26 per unit.
- Import rate stayed high — Electricity imported from your DISCO is billed separately, at roughly Rs 37 to Rs 55 per unit.
- Public pushback followed — The sudden cut caused strong criticism from solar users and industry groups.
- February 16, 2026 amendment — NEPRA rolled out an amendment so that prosumers with a net metering agreement signed before February 9, 2026 are exempted from net billing, keeping their old contracts valid until expiry.
In plain words: old solar owners are protected. New solar owners follow the new, lower export rate.
Who Is Still Protected Under the Old Rules?
You keep your old net metering rate if your agreement was signed before February 9, 2026.
- Agreements executed before the new regulations took effect keep their original rate and billing method until the contract ends.
- Applications submitted before February 8, 2026, are also processed under the earlier rules.
- Once your old contract expires, or if you make a big change to your system, you move to net billing.
- New applications filed after February 9, 2026, fall under net billing from day one.
How This Affects Your Solar Savings
Net billing does not make solar useless. It just changes what “smart design” means.
- Oversized systems built purely to export power now earn far less per unit.
- Systems built for self-consumption still save a lot of money.
- Well-designed systems still reach payback in roughly 3.5 to 4.5 years, because panel prices have dropped faster than export rates were cut.
- A home that uses most of its power during the day (AC, pumps, appliances) recovers its cost faster than a home that is empty all day and exports most of its solar power.
- Battery storage is becoming more popular, since it lets you store daytime solar power and use it at night instead of exporting it at the lower rate.
Is Solar Still Worth It in Pakistan After This Change?
Yes, but the system design matters more than before.
- Grid electricity tariffs keep rising, so avoiding grid units is still valuable.
- The real win now comes from using your own power, not selling it.
- Right-sizing your system to your daily usage beats oversizing it for export.
- Adding a battery can protect your savings from the lower buyback rate.
- Ask your installer to design for self-consumption first, export second.
Quick Tips If You Are Planning Solar Now
- Check your DISCO’s current buyback rate before signing a contract.
- Ask whether your agreement date falls before or after February 9, 2026.
- Size your system close to your real daily usage instead of going bigger “just in case.”
- Consider a hybrid inverter with battery backup if your budget allows.
- Keep your contract documents safe — they prove your protected rate if rules change again.
Final Word
The shift from net metering to net billing is the biggest change in Pakistan’s solar policy in years. Old users are protected. New users face a lower export rate but a higher retail import rate, so smart, self-consumption-focused design is now the real key to solar savings. Rules can still shift again, so always confirm the current buyback rate with your DISCO or check NEPRA’s official notifications before you sign a new solar contract.
Read the official notification here: NEPRA Prosumer Regulations 2026 (SRO 251(I)/2026), and see Dawn’s coverage of the policy shift for more background on how the change unfolded. If you want help designing a system for self-consumption under the new rules, MAK Engineering offers solar system design and installation across Pakistan.
Reach out today and let our team support your project with reliable and professional commissioning solutions.
Your system’s safety starts with the right partner—contact MAK Engineering now.
https://makeng.com.pk/
+92 331 2333311
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