NEPRA’s Gross Metering Policy 2026

NEPRA has proposed a transition from the traditional Net Metering to a Gross Metering framework. Under the old system, exported solar units were directly subtracted from imported grid units. However, under Gross Metering, these two processes are separated. All the electricity produced by your solar panels and exported to the grid will be bought by the government at a fixed “Feed-in Tariff,” while any electricity you consume from the grid will be billed at the standard retail rate.

“Bijli banane wala ab bijli bechne wala bhi banay ga.”

This shift marks a major milestone in Pakistan’s energy journey. The goal is to move from a 1:1 unit exchange to a “Buy-and-Sell” model. While this helps the national grid stay stable, it fundamentally changes the financial math for every household that has invested lakhs of rupees in solar panels.

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Why NEPRA Revised the Solar Metering Policy

The rapid growth of solar—surpassing 6,000 MW on-grid—has put immense pressure on Distribution Companies (DISCOs). When thousands of households stop paying electricity bills because of solar, DISCOs face revenue losses. These losses are often recovered by increasing the per-unit price for non-solar users (the poor who cannot afford solar). NEPRA aims to reduce this “financial burden” of approximately Rs. 2 per unit that was being shifted to ordinary consumers.

“Grid ki hifazat aur sasti bijli ka tawazun zaroori hai.”

Additionally, grid stability is a major concern. During peak sunny hours, the massive injection of solar power can overload local transformers. NEPRA’s new policy aims to manage this surge and ensure that the national grid doesn’t face “blackouts” similar to those seen in other countries due to solar over-generation.

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Key Changes in the New Gross Metering Rules

The 2026 policy introduces several strict changes that every “prosumer” (producer + consumer) must know:

“Naye qanoon, naye rate aur naye muahiday.”

• Reduced Buyback Rate: The export rate is expected to drop from roughly Rs. 26 per unit to about Rs. 11.30–13 per unit (National Average Energy Purchase Price).
• Sanctioned Load Cap: You can no longer install a solar system larger than your approved electricity load (100% cap). Previously, 150% was allowed.
• Shorter Contracts: New solar agreements will be for 5 years instead of the previous 7-year term.
• Smart Meters: Mandatory installation of advanced smart meters to record real-time export and import data separately.

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What Solar Users Will Gain Under the New Policy

While the lower rates sound discouraging, there are some technical gains. The introduction of Smart Meters means billing will be more transparent. Many users complained about “Green Meter” reading errors; the new digital system aims to eliminate manual tampering.

“Behtar technology aur transparent billing ka faida.”

Furthermore, solar users will gain long-term Grid Reliability. By regulating the amount of power exported, the local transformer is less likely to blow up during the summer, ensuring your home stays powered by the grid at night without frequent outages. Standardized licensing through DISCOs for systems under 25kW also makes the approval process faster for small residential users.

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What Solar Users Might Lose or Pay More For

The biggest “loss” is financial. Under the new rules, you will be selling your excess solar power at a very low price (e.g., Rs. 13) but buying grid power at a very high price (e.g., Rs. 50+ including taxes). This “price gap” means your monthly savings will significantly decrease compared to the Net Metering era.

“Sasti bijli bechna aur mehngi bijli kharidna ab naya mamool hoga.”

Users will also pay more for Equipment and Compliance. The requirement for technical feasibility studies for systems above 250kW and the mandatory purchase of specific smart meters adds to the upfront cost. Essentially, solar becomes a tool for “self-consumption” rather than a “profitable business” of selling units to the grid.

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Impact on Residential vs Commercial Solar Systems

“Gharelu sarifeen aur karobari hazrat ke liye alag alag mushkilat.”

• Residential Users: Small homes (5kW–10kW) will see their monthly bills rise slightly because the export credits won’t cover the high cost of nighttime grid usage. The cap on sanctioned load means you can’t “oversize” your system to cover your AC usage for the whole month.
• Commercial Users: Large factories and offices will face stricter technical audits. Since they consume most of their power during the day, the impact is less severe, but the lower buyback rate for weekend/holiday exports will still hurt their overall ROI.

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Net Metering vs Gross Metering: Key Differences

“Dono nizam ke darmiyan wazay farq ko samjhein.”

Feature	Net Metering (Old)	Gross Metering (New 2026)
Billing Logic	Units In – Units Out = Bill	Separate Buy & Sell rates
Export Rate	High (~Rs. 22-26/unit)	Low (~Rs. 10-13/unit)
Contract Life	7 Years	5 Years
System Size	Up to 150% of load	Up to 100% of load
Main Objective	Incentive for Solar Adoption	Grid Stability & Fairness

What Solar Users Should Do Next

“Ab agla qadam hybrid system aur battery ki taraf hoga.”

If you are a solar user, don’t panic. Here is the best strategy for 2026:

1. Shift Heavy Loads to Daytime: Run your washing machines, water pumps, and iron during peak sun hours (10 AM to 3 PM) to avoid exporting units at a low rate.
2. Go Hybrid: Invest in Lithium-ion batteries. By storing your own solar energy for night use, you avoid buying expensive grid units at Rs. 50+.
3. Check Your Contract: If you already have net metering, your 7-year contract is protected. Make the most of it before it expires and shifts to the new rules.

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Final Verdict on NEPRA’s Policy Change

“Sajhdari se solar lagayein aur apne paisay bachayein.”

The NEPRA Gross Metering Policy 2026 is a bitter pill for solar enthusiasts, but it is the new reality. Solar is no longer a “get rich quick” scheme for selling units back to the government; it is now strictly a tool for energy independence. While the payback period has lengthened, solar remains far cheaper than the ever-rising grid tariffs in the long run. The future belongs to those who can manage their energy smartly and rely less on the national grid.

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