Thousands of solar consumers across Pakistan may face a sudden surge in electricity costs as the government plans to replace the current net metering system with a new net billing policy. This change could drastically reduce incentives for households and businesses that rely on solar energy.
Under the existing net metering system, solar consumers could offset the electricity they drew from the grid with the power they exported. This effectively balanced imports and exports at retail rates, keeping electricity bills low and encouraging widespread solar adoption.
The proposed net billing model changes this system. Electricity imported from the national grid will be charged at full retail rates, while solar power exported to the grid will be credited at a significantly lower rate. Experts warn that a typical household exporting and importing 300 units could now face a bill of around Rs10,000. This represents a dramatic increase compared to the near-zero bills previously paid under net metering.
Government officials and power distribution companies say the change is necessary to cover grid maintenance costs and prevent revenue losses. However, critics argue the policy unfairly penalizes solar consumers who invested in renewable energy, potentially discouraging future adoption.
The transition comes amid operational challenges, including a backlog of pending net metering applications. Thousands of installed solar systems remain unconnected or unmetered. Distribution companies, including Lesco, have paused new solar meter installations pending guidance from the federal ministry.
In December 2025, NEPRA recommended a gross metering system for rooftop solar users. Under this proposal, all exported electricity would be purchased at a fixed feed-in tariff, proposed at Rs11.30 per unit, while electricity drawn from the grid would be billed separately at retail rates. Existing net metering customers with seven-year contracts would continue receiving Rs22 per unit for surplus power until their agreements expire. NEPRA has opened the draft for public feedback over 30 days before finalizing the rules.
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The upcoming changes signal a major shift for solar consumers in Pakistan, potentially reshaping the economics of rooftop solar and the renewable energy sector nationwide.
