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

Pakistan's energy story just turned a page. On 4 August 2026, Federal Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari unveiled a roadmap to push Pakistan's **90% clean energy** share by 2035 — and made a striking admission: the country no longer has a power *generation* problem. The real bottleneck is now storage and grid flexibility.

For rooftop solar owners across Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and beyond, this is not just a headline. It reshapes how your system pays back, why batteries suddenly matter more, and where future net-billing rates are heading. Let's unpack what this Pakistan clean energy roadmap actually signals for your investment.

From Generation to Storage: The Big Shift

For over a decade, load-shedding defined Pakistan's power sector. That framing is now outdated, according to the government. Renewables — solar, wind, hydro and bagasse — have already reached roughly **55% of the electricity mix**, and the target is to hit 90% clean electricity by 2035.

The problem the minister highlighted is different: Pakistan generates abundant solar power at midday, but lacks the grid flexibility to shift that cheap energy to the evening peak, when demand spikes and households actually need it.

"The challenge is no longer producing electricity — it is storing it and moving it to where and when it's needed."

To solve this, Leghari outlined a three-pronged strategy:

  • **Battery energy storage systems (BESS)** deployed across the national grid to bank midday solar for evening use.
  • **Local battery assembly and manufacturing** to cut import dependence, create jobs, and lower lithium storage prices over time.
  • **Regulatory reforms** to give investors long-term certainty — the missing ingredient in past solar policy.

You can read our related breakdown of the NEPRA net billing rules for 2026 to see how these reforms are already landing on prosumers.

Why This Matters for Rooftop Solar Owners

Here's the honest takeaway: the era of exporting surplus units to the grid for a generous return is closing. The economics are being redesigned around **self-consumption and storage**, not selling back to the DISCO.

Under the **NEPRA (Prosumer) Regulations, 2026**, the old net-metering system — where one exported unit offset one imported unit — has been replaced by **net billing**. Now you *buy* imported electricity at the full government tariff and *sell* your surplus at a separate, much lower buyback rate.

  • **New prosumers:** buyback rates have been slashed to roughly **Rs 8–11 per unit**, down from around Rs 25–27.
  • **Existing consumers:** those with valid net-metering agreements as of 9 February 2026 keep their protected rate (about **Rs 25.32/unit**) until their contract expires.
  • **New contracts:** limited to five years, with interconnection costs and a non-refundable **Rs 1,000/kW** concurrence fee borne by the prosumer.

The message is unmistakable. When your export is worth Rs 10 but a grid unit costs you Rs 45–65, every unit you *use yourself* is worth far more than one you sell. That is exactly why storage has moved to centre stage.

The IMF Factor and Daytime Tariffs

The minister also flagged a constraint outside his control: commitments under Pakistan's IMF programme are currently blocking a market-based, time-of-use tariff that could make daytime electricity cheaper. In theory, cheaper daytime power plus abundant solar would accelerate the transition. For now, that reform is on hold — another reason not to bank your solar payback on favourable grid pricing alone.

For an authoritative overview of Pakistan's renewable commitments, see the IEA Pakistan energy profile{target="_blank" rel="noopener"} and NEPRA's own State of Industry reports{target="_blank" rel="noopener"}.

What Smart Solar Buyers Should Do in 2026

Based on our on-ground installation experience across Punjab and Sindh, the winning strategy has clearly shifted from **grid-tied export** to **hybrid self-reliance**. Here's how the options compare today:

| System Type | Typical 10kW Price (PKR) | Best For | 2026 Verdict | |---|---|---|---| | On-grid (no battery) | 750,000 – 900,000 | Old net-metering holders | Value fading under net billing | | Hybrid (lithium battery) | 1,100,000 – 1,800,000+ | New buyers, high evening use | Future-proof choice | | Off-grid | Varies by load | Areas with weak grid | Niche, backup-focused |

Lithium LiFePO4 batteries currently run about **Rs 220,000 to Rs 600,000+**, and prices should ease as local assembly scales under the new roadmap. Our practical tip: **size your battery to cover your evening peak (roughly 6–11 pm), not your entire load.** Oversizing storage wastes capital; a right-sized 5–10 kWh bank captures the highest-value hours and dramatically improves payback under net billing.

If you are still deciding on system size, our 10kW solar system price guide for Pakistan walks through real quotes and payback maths.

What Future Net-Billing Rates Signal

Don't expect buyback rates to climb again. The entire policy direction — 90% clean energy, grid storage, five-year contracts — points toward **compressed, stable, and low export rates**. NEPRA is expected to review prosumer rates periodically, but the structural logic favours self-consumption.

For homeowners and businesses, that reframes the whole decision:

  • **Install sooner** if you want to lock in current terms before further tightening.
  • **Add storage** to capture value the grid will no longer pay you for.
  • **Prioritise daytime load shifting** — run pumps, ACs and machinery when the sun is up.

Businesses with large daytime consumption arguably benefit *most* from this shift, since they self-consume nearly everything they generate. Explore our commercial solar solutions for load-matching strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Does the 90% clean energy roadmap change my existing net-metering agreement?** No. If you had a valid net-metering agreement as of 9 February 2026, your protected buyback rate (around Rs 25.32/unit) stays intact until your contract expires. The changes primarily affect new prosumers signing up under net billing.

**Is rooftop solar still worth it in Pakistan in 2026?** Yes — arguably more than ever, because grid electricity remains expensive (Rs 45–65+ per unit in higher slabs). The value has simply moved from selling surplus to offsetting your own consumption. A right-sized hybrid system delivers strong payback, typically within 3–5 years.

**Should I add a battery now or wait for prices to drop?** If your evenings are power-hungry, add storage now. Local battery manufacturing may lower prices over the coming years, but you'll pay expensive grid units in the meantime. A modest 5–10 kWh lithium bank usually pays for itself faster than waiting.

**What is the difference between net metering and net billing?** Under net metering, an exported unit cancelled an imported unit one-for-one. Under net billing, you buy grid power at full tariff and sell surplus at a separate, lower buyback rate — so money, not units, is the basis of settlement.

The Bottom Line

Leghari's August 2026 roadmap confirms that Pakistan's path to **90% clean energy** by 2035 will be built on storage, not just panels. For rooftop solar owners, the winning move in this new era is clear: generate, store, and self-consume. Export revenue is fading, but the value of energy independence is climbing.

Ready to build a future-proof hybrid system sized for net billing? Contact Best Solar Company PK for a free, no-obligation assessment tailored to your load and roof. @@END@@

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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.