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

If you have been getting solar quotes in 2026, you have almost certainly hit the same wall every other buyer in Pakistan has: the **Rs11 buyback rate is under review**, so should you wait for a possible revision or lock in and go solar today? It is the single biggest question slowing down homeowners right now — and the honest answer depends on timing, not guesswork.

This guide cuts through the noise. We cover what actually changed, where the review stands as of October 2026, and a clear framework for deciding. The short version: the uncertainty is about the *rate for future exports*, not whether solar still pays. For most Pakistani households, it still does.

What the Rs11 buyback rate actually is

Under the old net metering system, your exported units were credited at roughly **Rs25.9 per unit** — close to the retail tariff, effectively a one-to-one swap. That generous deal is what made rooftop solar so popular that installed net-metering capacity crossed an estimated **6,000MW**.

On 9 February 2026, NEPRA notified the **Prosumer Regulations 2026**, replacing net metering with **net billing**. The core change:

  • You still buy grid electricity at the **full consumer tariff** (often Rs40–65+ per unit depending on slab).
  • But the grid now buys your **exported** surplus at the **National Average Energy Purchase Price (NAEPP)** — around **Rs11 per unit** for new prosumers (some notifications cite figures as low as Rs8.13).
  • The contract term was cut from **7 years to 5 years**.

In plain terms: self-consumption is now worth far more than export. Every unit you use inside your home avoids a Rs40–65 bill; every unit you export earns only about Rs11.

That gap is exactly why the policy is being contested — and why your system design matters more than ever.

Why the rate is being re-examined right now

The Rs11 figure drew sharp criticism from solar associations, consumers, and industry bodies. The pressure worked. On **22 October**, the Prime Minister directed the **Power Division and NEPRA to "review and verify"** the buyback rate and its real-world effects before pushing further changes, and NEPRA floated **draft amendments** to soften the impact — particularly for existing users.

The government's own rationale, however, has not gone away:

  • Officials estimate net metering shifted roughly **Rs101 billion** in costs onto grid-only consumers, adding up to **Rs2 per unit** to their bills.
  • New **utility-scale solar** is being contracted at **below Rs10 per unit**, which authorities use to argue the old Rs25.9 export credit was far above market value.
  • Winter demand can drop to **8,000–9,000MW**, raising fears of daytime solar surpluses the grid cannot absorb.

So the review is real, but so is the fiscal case for a lower export rate. A revision could nudge the number up modestly or protect certain users — it is unlikely to restore the old Rs25.9 era.

Are existing solar users protected?

Mostly, yes. A **16 February 2026 amendment grandfathered** prosumers whose net-metering agreement was signed **before 9 February 2026**, letting them keep their old contracts until expiry. That is the most important detail in this whole debate — and it directly shapes the "wait vs. act" decision. Read our full breakdown in NEPRA Net Billing Rules 2026.

Old vs new: a side-by-side comparison

| Factor | Old net metering | New net billing (2026) | |---|---|---| | Export (buyback) rate | ~Rs25.9/unit | ~Rs11/unit (NAEPP) | | Import price | Netted against exports | Full consumer tariff | | Best value comes from | Exporting surplus | Self-consumption | | Contract term | 7 years | 5 years | | Status | Grandfathered if signed pre-9 Feb 2026 | Current rule, under review |

Wait or go solar today? A clear framework

Here is the practical logic our installation teams use with buyers across Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.

**Go solar now if:**

  • Your monthly bill sits in the higher slabs (Rs30,000+). At those tariffs, avoiding import at Rs40–65 per unit pays back in roughly **3–4 years** even with export at Rs11.
  • You can still qualify under a favourable window your DISCO is processing. Locking a contract protects you from the *next* change.
  • You run heavy daytime loads (ACs, offices, shops) — your savings come from self-use, which the Rs11 rate does not touch.

**It may be worth waiting a few weeks if:**

  • Your system would be heavily **export-oriented** (large array, small daytime load) — the revision outcome genuinely affects your return.
  • Your application paperwork is not ready anyway, so waiting costs you nothing.

Our original insight after sizing hundreds of systems in 2026: the Rs11 rate barely dents a *right-sized* system. Oversizing to "sell to the grid" is the old playbook. Size for daytime self-consumption and the policy debate becomes almost irrelevant to your payback.

A concrete example: a Rs2.5 million 10kW system covering a Rs45,000 monthly bill still clears payback in about **3.5–4.5 years** at current tariffs, because the savings come from displacing expensive grid import — not from export credits.

How to protect yourself whichever way the review goes

  • **Design for self-use:** prioritise matching panel output to daytime consumption; add battery storage only if your evening load justifies it.
  • **Lock your contract date:** an earlier signed agreement sits on the right side of any grandfathering cutoff.
  • **Keep documentation clean:** correct load details and a compliant bidirectional meter avoid DISCO delays.
  • **Model two scenarios:** ask your installer for payback at both Rs11 and a possible revised rate so you are not surprised.

You can confirm the latest notified numbers directly on the NEPRA official site and through the Power Division. For a deeper cost model, see our solar payback guide for Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is the Rs11 solar buyback rate final in 2026?**

No. As of October 2026 it is notified and in force for new prosumers, but the Power Division and NEPRA have been directed to review and verify it, and draft amendments are circulating. Expect clarification rather than a return to the old Rs25.9 rate.

**Will my old net metering rate of Rs25.9 be protected?**

If your net-metering agreement was signed before 9 February 2026, the 16 February amendment grandfathers your contract until it expires. New applicants fall under the Rs11 net-billing regime.

**Does solar still pay back in Pakistan at Rs11 per unit?**

Yes, for most homes. Your biggest saving is avoiding grid import at Rs40–65 per unit, not the export credit. A right-sized system focused on daytime self-consumption still typically pays back in 3–5 years.

**Should I wait for the revision before installing?**

Only if your system is heavily export-oriented or your paperwork is not ready. If you have high daytime usage and big bills, delaying mostly just costs you months of savings.

The bottom line

The Rs11 buyback rate is genuinely under review, but waiting is rarely the winning move. The grandfathering cutoff rewards acting sooner, and a well-designed, self-consumption-first system pays back fast regardless of where the export rate lands. If your bills are high, the smartest hedge is to lock in now — not to bet on a policy outcome.

**Ready to size a system that beats the Rs11 rate?** Get a free, no-obligation quote from Best Solar Company PK and we will model your exact payback under both the current and a revised buyback rate.

Sources: Profit by Pakistan Today · Profit — Rs11.30 proposal · Business Recorder · The Nation

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.