NEPRA Gross Metering at Rs11.30: What New Solar Owners Must Know in 2026

• By Best Solar Company PK
• 13 Oct, 2026
• Solar Policy
• 8 min read

Pakistan's rooftop solar boom is about to hit a regulatory speed bump. In a draft amendment floated in late December 2025, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (**NEPRA**) has proposed replacing net metering with **gross metering** for all *new* rooftop solar consumers — and slashing the buyback rate to **Rs11.30 per unit**.

If you already hold a valid net-metering agreement, breathe easy. But if you're planning to go solar in 2026, this proposal changes the economics of your decision. Here's a clear, Pakistan-specific breakdown of **NEPRA gross metering**, the Rs11.30 rate, the 30-day comment window, and the Rs545 billion grid-burden argument driving it all.

What NEPRA's gross metering draft actually proposes

Under the draft Prosumer Regulations, new solar households would no longer "net off" their export against their import. Instead, the rules split the two flows completely:

• **All** electricity your panels generate is exported to the grid and bought at **Rs11.30/unit**.
• **All** electricity your home consumes is billed separately at the standard retail tariff (currently in the Rs40–Rs60+/unit range for most slabs).

That is the core difference between the old and new systems. Net metering rewarded self-consumption; gross metering decouples generation from consumption entirely.

New agreements under the draft would run for **five years**, extendable by mutual consent — down from the seven-year term under the existing regime.

Rs11.30 vs Rs22: the two-tier system explained

The most important thing for existing owners to understand is **grandfathering**. NEPRA's draft protects consumers who already hold valid seven-year net-metering agreements — they continue selling surplus at roughly **Rs22 per unit** until their contracts expire.

This creates a clear two-tier market. The table below summarises where you'd stand:

| Factor | Existing net-metering holders | New consumers (draft) | |---|---|---| | Mechanism | Net metering (offset) | Gross metering (separate flows) | | Buyback rate | ~Rs22/unit | Rs11.30/unit | | Contract term | 7 years | 5 years | | Self-consumption benefit | Yes (offsets retail tariff) | No (all export billed separately) | | Status | Protected until expiry | Applies to new connections |

For a typical household exporting surplus, that rate cut roughly halves the credit value of every unit you push to the grid. For a detailed walk-through of sizing and savings under both models, see our guide to choosing the right solar system size.

The Rs545 billion justification

Why is the regulator moving now? The answer is a cost-shift concern. As more affluent households install solar and stop buying grid power, the fixed costs of running the grid — capacity payments, transmission, distribution — get spread across a shrinking pool of mostly lower-income, non-solar consumers.

NEPRA and the Power Division cite concrete numbers:

• In **FY2024**, rooftop solar cut grid electricity sales by about **3.2 billion units**, costing distribution companies roughly **Rs101 billion** in revenue.
• This has already shifted an estimated **Rs0.90 per kWh** onto conventional grid users.
• Summer solar generation has touched **33 GW**, at times exceeding the grid's own **28–30 GW** demand — creating real stability headaches.
• Projecting forward, the Power Division warns that by **FY2034**, lost grid sales could reach **18.8 billion units**, with a financial impact of around **Rs545 billion** and a potential tariff hike of **Rs5–6 per unit** for everyone still on the grid.

Whether you find that argument fair or not, it's the backbone of the regulator's case. The counter-argument from solar advocates is equally sharp: gross metering punishes self-generation and could stall Pakistan's cheapest, fastest-growing clean-energy segment just as it matures.

The 30-day comment window and public hearing

This is a **draft**, not law — and that distinction matters for you right now. NEPRA has invited written comments from stakeholders and consumers within a **30-day window** and signalled it may hold a **public hearing** before finalising the framework. (Through early 2026, the process has stayed contentious; following the Prime Minister's intervention, NEPRA even granted additional short-term protection to existing net-metering consumers.)

If this policy affects you, this is the moment to act:

• **Lock in now if you're close.** A system commissioned and approved under the current rules is grandfathered at the better terms.
• **Submit a comment.** Consumers and installers can file objections during the comment period via NEPRA's official channels.
• **Model both scenarios.** Ask your installer for payback estimates under both net metering and the Rs11.30 gross rate before signing.

You can review the regulator's process and documents directly on the NEPRA official website{target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, and track Pakistan's broader renewable targets through the Alternative Energy Development Board{target="_blank" rel="noopener"}.

What this means for your solar payback

Here's the practical, experience-based takeaway we give every client at Best Solar Company PK: **under gross metering, the smart money shifts toward self-consumption and batteries.**

Because exported units now earn only Rs11.30 while imported units cost far more, the economic logic flips. You want to *use* what you generate during daylight rather than sell it cheap and buy it back expensive. That makes two things more attractive:

1. **Right-sizing** your array to your daytime load rather than over-building to export. 2. **Adding battery storage** to shift solar energy into evening peak hours — see our breakdown of solar battery options for Pakistani homes.

Even at Rs11.30, rooftop solar still beats paying Rs40–Rs60+ per unit for the power you self-consume. The payback period simply lengthens for export-heavy setups. For most households, a correctly sized system remains one of the best hedges against Pakistan's relentless tariff increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

**What is the difference between net metering and gross metering in Pakistan?** Net metering offsets the electricity you export against what you import, so you only pay for the net difference. Gross metering, under NEPRA's 2026 draft, sends all your solar output to the grid at Rs11.30/unit and bills all your home consumption separately at retail rates — no offsetting.

**Will the Rs11.30 rate apply to my existing solar system?** No. If you hold a valid seven-year net-metering agreement, you are protected and continue selling surplus at roughly Rs22/unit until your contract expires. The Rs11.30 gross rate targets new connections only.

**Is NEPRA's gross metering rule final?** Not yet. It is a draft open to a 30-day public comment period with a possible public hearing. The terms could change before it is notified, so monitor NEPRA's official announcements.

**Should I install solar before the rule changes?** If you're financially ready, commissioning under current rules locks in the more favourable net-metering terms. Even under gross metering, self-consumption savings keep rooftop solar worthwhile — just model your payback under both scenarios first.

The bottom line

NEPRA's gross metering draft at Rs11.30/unit marks the biggest shift in Pakistan's rooftop solar policy to date. It won't end the solar case — Pakistan's sun and sky-high tariffs guarantee that — but it does reward smarter, self-consumption-focused design over export-heavy systems.

If you're weighing a 2026 installation, talk to our team at Best Solar Company PK for a payback analysis built around *your* load profile and the latest rules. The window to act under the current terms may be closing fast.

Sources: Profit by Pakistan Today, Dawn/The News, Daily Pakistan, Geo News

Best Solar Company PK designs and installs reliable solar systems in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Taunsa Sharif and Karachi. Contact us for a free survey and the best advice for your home or business.