Net Metering Rollback: Pending Applicants Can Still Lock the Old 1:1 Deal — Here's How

• By Best Solar Company PK
• 19 Sep, 2026
• Net Metering
• 8 min read

If you filed a rooftop solar application before 8 February 2026 and it is still sitting with your DISCO, there is good news. The **net metering rollback** announced by the federal government means your application should be processed under the old, far more generous one-to-one (1:1) rules — not the new "net billing" regime. But protection is not automatic in practice, and a stalled file can quietly slip into the wrong bucket. This guide explains what changed, why the 8 February cutoff matters, and the concrete steps pending applicants must take now to lock the better deal.

What actually changed with net metering in 2026

On 9 February 2026, NEPRA rolled out the **NEPRA (Prosumer) Regulations, 2026**, replacing classic net metering with a *net billing* model for new solar consumers. The difference is money.

Under the old net metering system, every unit you exported to the grid offset a unit you imported at the **same retail tariff** — roughly Rs25–27 per unit. That one-to-one swap is why payback periods were as short as 3–5 years.

Under net billing, the utility *buys* your surplus at a low, market-linked "national average power purchase price" — reported at around **Rs8–11 per unit** — while *selling* you grid power at the full consumer tariff. Analysts estimate this stretches the payback period for a new residential system to **10–12 years**.

The Tribune and Profit by Pakistan Today both documented the shift, including a contract term cut from **7 years to 5 years** (renewable for another five by mutual consent).

Why the 8 February 2026 cutoff matters

After a public and industry backlash — and direct intervention from the Prime Minister — Federal Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari directed that **all net metering applications submitted up to 8 February 2026 be processed under the previous regulations**.

According to reporting by Arab News, that covers **5,165 pending applications** representing about **250.822 MW** of capacity across all distribution companies. The minister ordered every DISCO — including K-Electric, LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO and the rest — to provide the net metering facility to these applicants and implement the order immediately.

Separately, consumers who already held a valid net metering agreement on 9 February 2026 keep their existing 1:1 terms until their contract naturally expires. So there are two protected groups: **existing agreement holders** and **pre-8 February applicants still in the pipeline.** This article is for the second group.

Old net metering vs new net billing at a glance

| Factor | Old net metering (pre-8 Feb applicants) | New net billing (post-8 Feb) | |---|---|---| | Export credit | ~Rs25–27/unit (retail tariff, 1:1) | ~Rs8–11/unit (buyback price) | | Import charge | Retail tariff | Retail tariff | | Contract term | 7 years | 5 years (+5 renewable) | | Est. payback | 3–5 years | 10–12 years | | Who qualifies | Applied on or before 8 Feb 2026 | Applied 9 Feb 2026 onward |

What pending DISCO applicants must do now to lock the deal

Being *eligible* for old terms and *actually getting them recorded* are two different things. Take these steps:

• **Confirm your filing date in writing.** Retrieve your online application acknowledgement, tracking/reference number, and the timestamp. Your proof that you applied on or before 8 February 2026 is your single most important document. Save screenshots and email confirmations.
• **Follow up with your DISCO in writing.** Send a written request (and keep a stamped copy) referencing the Power Division directive that pre-8 February applications are to be processed under the previous regulations. Ask them to confirm your file is flagged for **net metering (1:1)**, not net billing.
• **Check the agreement wording before you sign.** When the Prosumer Agreement arrives, verify it states 1:1 net metering and a **7-year term**, not a 5-year net billing contract. Do not sign a net billing agreement by mistake.
• **Clear technical hurdles fast.** Net metering needs a **three-phase connection**; single-phase users must upgrade the meter first. Ensure your inverter and panels are on NEPRA's Approved Equipment List and installed by an **AEDB-approved installer**.
• **Push the file through commissioning.** After the Letter of Intent (LOI) and technical review (typically 2–4 weeks), complete installation, pass inspection, sign the agreement, and get the **bidirectional meter** installed. Total commissioning usually runs 3–4 months.
• **Escalate if you hit a wall.** If a DISCO tries to force new terms, cite the minister's directive in writing and, if needed, file a complaint with NEPRA.

For background on eligibility and paperwork, see our net metering application checklist and our explainer on choosing an AEDB-approved installer.

One practical tip from the field: DISCOs process files fastest when the technical documentation is flawless the first time. An incomplete LOI or a mismatched load sanction is the most common reason a "protected" application gets stuck — and a stuck application is exactly what you cannot afford right now.

Does solar still make sense under the new rules?

Yes — just with different math. Even at a lower buyback rate, self-consumption (using your own solar during the day instead of buying expensive grid units) still delivers strong savings, especially for daytime businesses. But for pre-8 February applicants, locking the 1:1 rate turns a good investment into an excellent one. That is why finishing your pending application is worth the effort in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Does the net metering rollback apply to me if I applied on 8 February 2026?** Yes. The directive covers applications submitted **up to and including 8 February 2026**. Applications filed from 9 February onward fall under the new net billing regime.

**Will my DISCO automatically give me the old 1:1 terms?** It should, per the Power Division's order — but do not assume. Confirm in writing that your file is classified as net metering, and check the agreement term (7 years) before signing.

**What is the difference between net metering and net billing in Pakistan?** Net metering credits your exports at the retail tariff on a one-to-one basis (~Rs25–27/unit). Net billing buys your surplus at a lower buyback price (~Rs8–11/unit) while charging full tariff for imports.

**I already have a net metering agreement — am I affected?** No. Valid agreements in force on 9 February 2026 continue under existing 1:1 terms until the contract expires.

**Where can I verify these rules officially?** Check the latest notifications on the NEPRA website and your DISCO's net metering portal for the current forms and equipment list.

The bottom line

The **net metering rollback** is a genuine second chance for thousands of Pakistani households and businesses. If your application predates 8 February 2026, treat it as a race: gather your proof of filing, keep your DISCO accountable in writing, and get to a signed 1:1 agreement and a bidirectional meter as quickly as possible. Lock the old deal now — the 10–12-year payback of net billing is a very different investment. Need help getting your pending file across the line? Talk to our net metering team today.

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.