Solar Panels 🇵🇰 National Last Updated: July 06, 2026

NEPRA Net Billing 2026: What Changed and What It Means for You

NEPRA replaced Pakistan's net metering system with net billing in February 2026, cutting the solar export buyback rate from Rs. 25-27 to Rs. 11 per unit. Here is what changed, who is affected and what you need to know.

Pakistan's rooftop solar rules changed on February 9, 2026, when NEPRA officially replaced the long-running net metering framework with a new net billing system. The change affects how new solar users are paid for electricity exported to the national grid.

✓ Existing net metering users are protected.
✓ New solar connections use net billing.
✓ Exported electricity is bought at about Rs. 11 per unit.
✓ Imported electricity is billed at normal consumer tariffs.

A prosumer is a consumer who also produces electricity, typically through rooftop solar panels.

What Is Net Billing and How Is It Different from Net Metering?

Under the old net metering system, if you exported 100 units of electricity to the grid during the day and consumed 100 units at night, you paid nothing, your exported units were credited at the same rate you buy electricity. It was a one-to-one exchange.

Under the new net billing system, the electricity you export to the grid is purchased at the National Average Energy Purchase Price, currently approximately Rs. 11 per unit. But the electricity you buy back from the grid is charged at the standard consumer tariff, which can be Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 per unit or higher depending on your slab. The one-to-one exchange is gone.

What Are the New Buyback Rates?

The buyback rate for exported solar electricity has been effectively cut by over 50 percent, from around Rs. 25-27 per unit under the previous regime to approximately Rs. 11 per unit under net billing. The contract period for new connections has also been reduced from seven years to five years, renewable by mutual consent.

Are Existing Net Metering Users Affected?

After significant public backlash and intervention from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, NEPRA issued an amendment in April 2026 confirming that existing net metering consumers will not be affected. All approvals, licences and agreements issued under the previous 2015 regulations will remain valid until expiry. Existing users will continue to be billed according to their previous contract rates and mechanisms.

However, any material change to your system, particularly any modification that increases the maximum electrical output, will result in the loss of tariff advantages associated with your previous arrangement.

Do You Need a License for Solar in 2026?

NEPRA later clarified that off-grid solar users do not need NEPRA approval to install a solar system. For on-grid solar connections under the new net billing system, consumers are required to obtain approval from NEPRA and pay a one-time fee of Rs. 1,000 per kilowatt. For a 5KW system, that is Rs. 5,000 as a one-time registration fee.

Should You Still Install Solar?

The economics of solar have shifted but not reversed. The key change is that exporting electricity to the grid is now significantly less profitable. The smart strategy in 2026 is to size your system for maximum self-consumption, run heavy appliances like air conditioners, water pumps and geysers during solar hours rather than at night. Consider battery storage to use your solar electricity at night instead of exporting it and buying it back at a loss.

Even under net billing, solar panels in Pakistan still deliver strong returns on investment due to the large gap between what you save (Rs. 40-50 per unit at your tariff) and what solar costs to generate (essentially free after installation). The payback period has increased slightly but remains well within the 4-6 year range for most residential systems.

If you are considering going solar in Pakistan, find trusted solar panel installers near you on AtaPata

Planning a solar installation? Compare the latest prices of Solar Panels, Inverters, and Batteries on AtaPata Pulse before requesting quotations.

Want to understand the bigger picture? Read our in-depth blog: Pakistan's Rooftop Solar Revolution, which explores how millions of households transformed Pakistan's energy landscape.

Sources

NEPRA Official Notification

Express Tribune

Profit by Pakistan Today

net metering pakistan NEPRA 2026 net billing solar panels pakistan solar energy pakistan NEPRA prosumer regulations

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between net metering and net billing in Pakistan? +

Under net metering, exported electricity was credited at the same rate as purchased electricity — a one-to-one exchange. Under net billing introduced in 2026, exported electricity is credited at the National Average Energy Purchase Price of approximately Rs. 11 per unit, while imported electricity is charged at the standard consumer tariff of Rs. 40-50 per unit.

Are existing solar net metering users affected by NEPRA's 2026 regulations? +

No. NEPRA amended its regulations in April 2026 to confirm that all existing net metering agreements signed before February 9, 2026 will remain valid and unchanged until their natural expiry. Existing users will continue on their current rates.

Do I need a license to install solar panels in Pakistan in 2026? +

Off-grid solar users do not need NEPRA approval. For on-grid solar connections under net billing, you need NEPRA approval and must pay a one-time fee of Rs. 1,000 per kilowatt of installed capacity.

Is solar still worth it in Pakistan under net billing in 2026? +

Yes — solar remains a strong investment in Pakistan in 2026. The key is to maximize self-consumption rather than export. Every unit you consume directly saves you Rs. 40-50 at your tariff rate. Payback periods for most residential systems remain in the 4-6 year range.