• By Best Solar Company PK
  • 23 Oct, 2026
  • Solar Policy
  • 7 min read

If you have been holding off on rooftop solar because the **net billing buyback rate** suddenly dropped to a headline-grabbing Rs8.13 per unit, there is fresh news worth reading before you decide. In October 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered NEPRA and the Power Division to re-verify that slashed Rs8.13/unit rate and reassess its system-wide impact. For anyone weighing whether to install now or wait, this review changes the calculation — but probably not in the way most people assume.

Let's break down exactly what was ordered, where the Rs8.13 figure came from, and whether a possible upward revision is a good enough reason to delay your investment.

What PM Shehbaz Actually Ordered

The directive instructs NEPRA and the Power Division to **review and verify the buyback tariff** and study its broader implications before the reforms are finalised. Crucially, NEPRA is also moving to delete subsection (2) of Section 21 of the Prosumer Regulations, 2026 — the exact clause that cut the payback rate for *older* net-metering consumers to Rs8.13 from around Rs26 per unit and pushed them onto net billing.

In plain terms, the government is signalling two things:

  • The Rs8.13 number may be re-examined and potentially revised upward.
  • Existing consumers who signed before the rules changed may be protected from the deepest cuts.

This follows an earlier October 2025 directive in which the PM first asked the Power Division to verify a proposed reduction and examine the legal implications for existing contracts under the old Net Metering Rules, 2015.

The review does not scrap net billing. It questions *how low* the buyback rate should go — and whether the formula behind Rs8.13 holds up.

Where the Rs8.13 Buyback Rate Came From

Under the Prosumer Regulations, 2026 — which repealed Pakistan's decade-old net-metering framework on 9 February 2026 — surplus units you export are no longer swapped one-for-one against units you import. Instead, the grid buys your exported solar at a low fixed rate while you keep paying full retail tariff for what you draw.

That fixed buyback is pegged to the National Average Energy Purchase Price (NAEPP), which has recently hovered around **Rs 11–13 per unit**. The Rs8.13 figure applied specifically to the recalculated payback for legacy consumers, and it is this number the PM wants re-verified. Regulators have justified the cuts by citing a 3.2 billion kWh drop in grid sales during FY2024 and roughly Rs101 billion in costs shifted onto non-solar consumers.

You can track the official position directly through <a href="https://www.nepra.org.pk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NEPRA's regulatory notifications</a>, and the PM's directive was reported by <a href="https://www.brecorder.com/news/40303721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Business Recorder</a>.

What a Possible Upward Revision Would Mean

Say NEPRA re-verifies and nudges the buyback rate from Rs8.13 back toward the NAEPP band of Rs11–13, or restores protection for legacy consumers. What actually changes for your wallet?

Honestly, less than the headlines suggest — and here is the original insight most vendors won't tell you: **under net billing, your savings come from self-consumption, not from exports.** Every unit you consume directly offsets grid power that now costs **Rs 45–70 per unit**. Every unit you export earns you only the buyback rate, whether that is Rs8.13 or Rs13.

So the gap between a "bad" buyback rate and a "good" one is a few rupees on your *surplus* units only. The real money — 6 to 10 times larger per unit — sits in avoiding expensive grid electricity. For a deeper comparison, see our guide on net metering vs net billing in Pakistan 2026.

Install Now or Wait? The Real Math

Here is how the two scenarios stack up for a typical household today (October 2026 pricing).

| Factor | Install Now (Rs8.13 buyback) | Wait for Revision (hoped Rs13 buyback) | |---|---|---| | 10kW on-grid system cost | Rs 950,000 – 1,200,000 | Same or higher (prices rising) | | Solar panel price | Rs 39–43 per watt | May increase with demand/forex | | Savings driver | Self-consumption vs Rs 45–70/unit tariff | Identical | | Extra earning on exports | Low | Marginally higher | | Months of bills paid while waiting | Rs 0 wasted | 3–12 months of full grid bills | | Policy certainty | Lock in today's rules | Unknown; could tighten further |

The pattern is clear: waiting mainly costs you months of full-tariff electricity bills while you gamble on a few extra rupees per exported unit.

Who Should Wait — and Who Shouldn't

Not everyone is in the same position. Use this quick filter:

  • **Don't wait — install now:** High daytime usage (home all day, shop, office, factory), tariff already in the Rs 45+ slab, oversized roof. Your self-consumption savings dwarf any buyback tweak.
  • **Maybe wait a cycle:** You are a legacy net-metering consumer worried about the Rs8.13 cut. The PM's move to delete Section 21(2) may restore your original terms — watch for the final notification before signing anything new.
  • **Right-size, don't oversize:** Because exports now pay little, design for **85–95% self-consumption** rather than a huge export surplus. Add a battery only if your evening load justifies it.

Before applying, confirm current paperwork and timelines in our walkthrough on how to apply for net metering in Pakistan, and note that NEPRA has already scrapped the licence and fee for systems under 25kW, which lowers your upfront hurdle.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Will the Rs8.13 net billing buyback rate definitely go up?** Nothing is guaranteed. The PM has ordered NEPRA and the Power Division to re-verify it, and NEPRA is moving to delete the clause that imposed Rs8.13 on legacy users. An upward revision toward the Rs11–13 NAEPP band is possible, but the regulator could also keep the lower rate. Treat any increase as a bonus, not a plan.

**Does a lower buyback rate make solar a bad investment in 2026?** No. The economics now hinge on self-consumption against Rs 45–70/unit grid tariffs, not on export earnings. A 5kW system costing roughly Rs 700,000–1,100,000 still pays back quickly when you use most of your generation during the day.

**Are existing net-metering consumers protected?** Consumers with valid agreements signed before 9 February 2026 are generally grandfathered on their original terms until expiry. The PM's directive and NEPRA's proposed deletion of Section 21(2) aim to reinforce that protection — confirm your status with your DISCO.

**Should I delay my installation to see what NEPRA decides?** For most high-usage homes and businesses, no. Every month you wait is a month of full grid bills, while the potential upside is only a few rupees on surplus units. Our NEPRA net billing rules 2026 explainer covers the finer details.

The Bottom Line

The PM's order to re-verify the Rs8.13 net billing buyback rate is good news — it may lift exports earnings slightly and shield existing consumers. But it should not freeze your decision. Solar's value in Pakistan in 2026 is built on dodging Rs 45–70 per unit from the grid, and that case only gets stronger as tariffs rise. Right-size your system for self-consumption, lock in today's prices, and treat any buyback bump as extra icing. **Talk to Best Solar Company PK for a free, right-sized net billing quote 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.