• By Best Solar Company PK
  • 12 Oct, 2026
  • Net Metering
  • 7 min read

If your rooftop solar file has been gathering dust at the DISCO for months, there is genuinely good news. The government's partial rollback means many **pending net metering applicants** who submitted before 9 February 2026 can still keep the old, far more generous unit-for-unit arrangement — the one that values your exported electricity at roughly Rs 25–27 per unit instead of the new net billing rate of around Rs 11.

This matters more than most homeowners realise. The difference between the two regimes can add years to your payback period. Below is a clear, Pakistan-specific guide to what changed, who qualifies, and how to check whether your stuck application still falls under the old terms.

What actually changed in February 2026

On 8 February 2026, NEPRA notified the **Prosumer Regulations 2026**, which took effect on 9 February and replaced "net metering" with "net billing" for all new solar consumers.

Under the old net metering model, one unit you exported offset one unit you imported — a true 1:1 swap. Under net billing, that equivalence is gone. You now buy grid electricity at the full tariff but sell your surplus back at a low fixed buyback rate.

The core change is simple but brutal for your bill: a unit you send to the grid is no longer worth a unit you take back. It is worth less than half.

Here is how the two systems compare for a typical residential prosumer:

| Feature | Old net metering (pre-9 Feb 2026) | New net billing (from 9 Feb 2026) | | --- | --- | --- | | Export treatment | Unit-for-unit (1:1 offset) | Sold at fixed buyback rate | | Approx. export value | ~Rs 25–27 per unit | ~Rs 10–13 per unit | | Pricing benchmark | National Average Power Purchase Price | National Average Energy Purchase Price | | Contract length | 7 years | 5 years | | Typical payback | ~3–4 years | ~5–7 years |

The buyback cut was steep — NEPRA pegged the new rate near Rs 11 per unit, with some reports citing figures as low as Rs 8.13, down from roughly Rs 27 earlier. That is less than a third of the old value.

The rollback: who gets to keep the old deal

After days of public backlash, Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari directed all distribution companies — including K-Electric — to process every net metering application **received up to 8 February 2026 under the previous rules**. A 16 February amendment also confirmed that consumers who had already signed a net metering agreement before 9 February stay on their old contract until it expires.

At the cutoff, 5,165 applications were sitting in the pipeline across all DISCOs, representing about 250.822 MW of capacity. The commitment is that these pending and backlog files are grandfathered — if your file was in the system on or before 8 February, approval should come under the old unit-for-unit terms, not net billing.

Progress has been real but slow. By late May the minister ordered the backlog energised by 1 June. On 5 September 2026 the Power Division said it had **resolved 11,695 pending cases** out of roughly 16,654 identified during the transition, with about 4,959 still under verification and review. So if your file is still "stuck" in October 2026, you are not alone — and you may still be in line for the old deal.

How to check if your stuck file still qualifies

Work through these checks in order. The single most important factor is your **submission date**.

  • **Confirm your application date.** You qualify only if the DISCO received your file on or before 8 February 2026. Dig out your acknowledgement slip, the portal timestamp, the tracking/reference number, or the dated inspection report.
  • **Find documentary proof.** An email acknowledgement, an SMS confirmation, a stamped receiving copy, or a DISCO portal screenshot showing the submission date are all strong evidence. Keep copies.
  • **Check your application status.** Log into your DISCO's net metering portal (or the DISCO/NEPRA tracking system) and note the current stage — "under verification," "inspection pending," or "agreement pending."
  • **Verify the agreement wording.** If you have reached the agreement stage, read it before signing. It should reference net metering and a ~Rs 25–27 export value, not a net billing buyback rate.
  • **Match the capacity.** Ensure the sanctioned load and inverter capacity on the file match your installed system, as mismatches are a common reason files stall.

If your application was lodged **on or after 9 February 2026**, it falls under net billing — no rollback applies, and you should plan your system economics around the lower buyback rate instead. For a deeper walkthrough of a jammed file, see our guide on what to do when your net metering file is stuck at the DISCO.

What to do if your file qualifies but is still stuck

A qualifying date does not automatically push your file through. Take these steps:

  • Submit a written follow-up to your DISCO's net metering focal person, quoting your reference number and the 8 February cutoff directive.
  • Keep a dated paper trail of every visit, call, and email.
  • If there is no movement within a reasonable period, file a complaint with NEPRA, which has repeatedly instructed DISCOs to clear this specific backlog.
  • Ask your installer to help — reputable companies track these files daily and know the DISCO contacts. Our net metering application guide explains the full documentation checklist.

**A practical tip from the field:** do not cancel and re-apply out of frustration. A fresh application filed today is a net billing application and permanently forfeits your old 1:1 rights. Always push the original file forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Does the rollback apply to every pending net metering applicant?**

It applies to applications the DISCO received on or before 8 February 2026. Those are processed under the old unit-for-unit net metering rules. Files submitted from 9 February onward fall under net billing.

**What is the old export rate versus the new one?**

The old net metering value was roughly Rs 25–27 per exported unit on a 1:1 offset basis. The new net billing buyback rate is far lower — commonly cited around Rs 11 per unit, and in some notifications as low as Rs 8.13.

**My file has been stuck since March 2026. Is it too late?**

No. As of September 2026 thousands of cases were still under verification, and the directive to process pre-8-February files under old rules remains in force. Keep following up and escalate to NEPRA if needed.

**How do I prove my application date?**

Use your DISCO acknowledgement slip, reference number, portal timestamp, dated inspection report, or email/SMS confirmation. Any dated official record on or before 8 February 2026 supports your claim.

The bottom line

For **pending net metering applicants** caught in the 2026 backlog, the partial rollback is a real and valuable protection — but only if you act on it. Confirm your pre-9-February submission date, gather proof, check your status, and push the original file through rather than starting over. The gap between ~Rs 27 and ~Rs 11 per unit is the difference between a 3-year and a 6-year payback, so it is well worth the effort.

Not sure where your file stands? Contact our team at Best Solar Company PK for a free status review — we will help you confirm eligibility and chase your DISCO on your behalf.

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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.