Solar net billing could push many consumers to pay around Rs10,000 for 300 units of electricity, marking a dramatic shift from previous net metering benefits under Pakistan’s evolving energy policy. Under the new framework, surplus solar power fed into the grid will be credited at lower rates, while electricity imported from the national grid will be charged at full retail tariffs, significantly increasing monthly bills for typical users.

Previously, the net metering system allowed rooftop solar users to balance electricity exported to the grid with energy drawn from it, often resulting in minimal bills for many households and businesses. The proposed net billing model instead treats exported solar power as a sale at a reduced rate and grid electricity as a separate purchase, eliminating the 1:1 energy offset that underpinned net metering.

Energy experts warn that a consumer who exports and imports about 300 units each month could see a total bill nearing Rs10,000, compared to the near-zero bills produced under the old system, making rooftop solar systems less economically attractive for many users.

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Government and power distribution companies argue the net billing change is necessary to cover grid maintenance costs and address alleged revenue shortfalls. Critics counter that the policy shift undermines incentives for solar investment and penalizes consumers who invested in clean energy to reduce dependence on the grid.

Solar Net Billing in Pakistan Triggers Higher Bills for Power Consumers

The transition comes as part of broader regulatory updates proposed by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), including a recommendation to adopt gross metering for future solar connections and require licensing and fixed feed-in tariffs for exported electricity.