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

The **Rs8.13 buyback rate** that has rattled Pakistan's rooftop solar market is now officially under review. In a high-level meeting in late October 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Power Division and NEPRA to re-verify the slashed buyback tariff and assess its system-wide implications *before* the net-billing reforms are finalized. For anyone deciding on solar right now, that single instruction changes the calculation — and this guide explains exactly what to do while the rate is in flux.

If you are a homeowner or business owner holding a quote in your hand, the worst thing you can do is freeze. The second-worst is to rush without understanding what is actually being reviewed. Let's break it down with concrete numbers and a clear action plan.

What the Rs8.13 buyback rate actually is

Since February 2026, NEPRA replaced net metering with a **net billing** model under the Prosumer Regulations 2026. Under net billing, the units you export to the grid are no longer swapped one-for-one against the units you import. You buy power from the grid at the full government tariff, but the grid buys your surplus solar export back at a fixed, much lower rate.

That rate was set at **Rs8.13 per unit** for new consumers — a cut of roughly Rs17.19 from the previous ~Rs25–27 range, or less than one-third of what earlier adopters locked in. Existing users with a valid agreement signed **before 9 February 2026** stay protected at their old rate (around **Rs25.32 per unit**) until their contract naturally expires.

The PM's stance is blunt: the financial burden of roughly 466,000 solar consumers should not be shifted onto 37.6 million grid electricity users. That tension is the whole reason the rate is being re-examined.

Why the PM ordered a review now

The directive is not a reversal — officials have been clear the **new solar policy will stay**. What the PM asked for is verification: is Rs8.13 the right number, and what does it do to the wider system? A NEPRA draft amendment already proposes a grandfathering clause to shield existing net-metering licences for their remaining term, which signals the regulator is willing to adjust the edges of the policy under pressure.

For a prospective buyer, this means the headline export rate could move — up or down — or the contract terms could shift before everything is locked. You can read our full breakdown in NEPRA's net-billing rules explained.

Buyback rate at a glance

| Factor | Old net metering | New net billing (2026) | | --- | --- | --- | | Export buyback rate | ~Rs25.32/unit | **Rs8.13/unit** (under review) | | Import charge | Netted against export | Full government tariff | | Contract length | 7 years | 5 years | | Who qualifies for old rate | Signed before 9 Feb 2026 | New applicants | | One-time fee (>25 kW) | None | Rs1,000/kW (waived ≤25 kW) |

What prospective buyers should do right now

Here is the practical part. While the rate is being verified, a smart buyer shifts the design toward **self-consumption** rather than selling surplus to the grid — because self-consumed units are worth the full retail tariff (Rs40–65+/unit on many slabs), not Rs8.13.

  • **Right-size the system to your daytime load.** Oversizing to "sell to the grid" no longer pays. Match panel capacity to what you actually use between sunrise and sunset.
  • **Prioritise daytime usage.** Run your washing machine, water pump, iron, and AC during peak sun. Every unit you self-consume dodges the expensive grid tariff entirely.
  • **Model two scenarios in your quote.** Ask your installer to show payback at Rs8.13/unit *and* at a hypothetical revised rate. If the system still pays back in roughly 4–6 years on self-consumption alone, the export rate becomes a bonus, not a dependency.
  • **Consider a small battery.** Storing surplus for evening use beats exporting it at Rs8.13. Even a modest lithium bank can lift your self-consumption from ~40% to 70%+.
  • **Get the agreement date right.** Your buyback rate is tied to when your net-billing agreement is signed and approved, not when you pay the deposit. Confirm this in writing.
  • **Keep the ≤25 kW advantage.** Systems up to 25 kW are exempt from the Rs1,000/kW one-time fee — a real saving for most homes.

The original insight most installers won't volunteer: a well-designed rooftop system in Pakistan now makes its money by **avoiding** the grid, not feeding it. Once you internalise that, the Rs8.13 debate stops being frightening.

Should you wait for the final rate?

For most households, **no**. Electricity tariffs keep climbing, so every month without solar is a month of paying full price for daytime power. The review targets the *export* side only — the far larger saving (self-consumption) is unaffected by whatever NEPRA finalizes. Waiting for a slightly better export rate while paying Rs50+/unit to WAPDA/K-Electric all summer is usually a losing trade.

The exception: if your roof load is small and your consumption is heavily night-time, a short wait plus a battery quote may be worth it. A good installer will tell you honestly which camp you fall in. Compare approaches in our guide to sizing a solar system for your bill.

For authoritative, current figures, verify details directly via the <a href="https://nepra.org.pk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA)</a> and the <a href="https://power.gov.pk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Power Division</a> before you sign.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is the Rs8.13 buyback rate final?** Not yet. In late October 2026 the PM ordered NEPRA and the Power Division to re-verify the Rs8.13/unit rate and study its system-wide impact before reforms are finalized. The rate could be adjusted, but officials say the net-billing framework itself will stay.

**Will the review bring back the old Rs25 rate for new buyers?** It's unlikely the full old rate returns for new applicants. A draft amendment focuses on protecting *existing* users via a grandfathering clause. New buyers should plan around a low export rate and design for self-consumption.

**Does the lower buyback rate make solar a bad investment?** No. The biggest saving comes from self-consuming your own generation at the full retail tariff (often Rs40–65+/unit), not from exporting. A right-sized system still typically pays back in about 4–6 years.

**What happens to my rate if I sign now and the rate changes later?** Your buyback rate is generally tied to your signed and approved net-billing agreement. Get your installer to confirm the applicable rate and lock-in terms in writing before you commit.

The bottom line

The Rs8.13 buyback rate review is a reason to act carefully — not a reason to stall. Design for self-consumption, right-size to your daytime load, keep your system at or below 25 kW where possible, and confirm your agreement terms in writing. Do that, and your solar investment stands firm whatever number NEPRA settles on.

Want a design built for the net-billing era? Talk to our team for a free, bill-based solar assessment and get a quote modelled on real self-consumption savings.

Sources: Tribune — New solar policy to stay but PM seeks to shield existing users, ProPakistani — PM orders urgent review of proposed rate cut, Profit by Pakistan Today — NEPRA shifts to net billing, Dawn — NEPRA scraps licence fee for small solar users

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.