• By Best Solar Company PK
  • 23 Aug, 2026
  • Buying Guide
  • 8 min read

Electricity bills in Pakistan have crossed the pain threshold for most households, and the **PM Solar Scheme 2026** is the federal government's answer — a mix of subsidised solar systems and low-markup bank financing to help homeowners and small businesses generate their own power. If you are trying to escape Rs50,000-plus monthly bills, this guide explains exactly who qualifies, what a system costs in PKR, and how to apply online before the deadline.

The scheme is part of a wider national "solarization of homes" push, coordinated by the **Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB)** under the Ministry of Energy, alongside provincial programmes like the CM Punjab Solar Scheme. Because federal and provincial windows run in parallel, the smart move in 2026 is to understand both and apply through whichever fits your profile.

Government registration is always free. If anyone asks for a "processing fee" to get you approved, it is a scam — walk away.

What is the PM Solar Scheme 2026?

The Federal PM Solar Scheme delivers solar power to eligible households in two ways: **direct subsidy** on smaller systems for low-income consumers, and **concessional financing** for middle-income homeowners and businesses who can repay in easy installments.

The financing side runs through the State Bank of Pakistan's refinance facility for renewable energy. Under this route, participating banks — including HBL, UBL, NBP and the Bank of Punjab — pass on a concessional markup (around 6% per annum) instead of the 20%+ you would normally pay on a personal loan. This is what makes solar affordable without a huge lump sum.

Key points to know for 2026:

  • Administered federally by AEDB with participating commercial banks and DISCOs.
  • Subsidy is prioritised for low-consumption, low-income households.
  • Financed systems are repaid in monthly installments, often over 3–7 years.
  • Applications and last dates run in **phases** that open and close through the year.

Who qualifies? PM Solar Scheme eligibility

Eligibility differs slightly between the subsidised track and the financed track, but the common requirements are straightforward.

You are generally eligible if you:

  • Are a **Pakistani citizen with a valid CNIC**.
  • Hold an electricity connection **in your own name** (or can provide the account holder's consent).
  • Have a **clean bill history** — no meter tampering, power theft, or repeated defaults.
  • Do **not** already receive a solar subsidy under another government programme.

For the **subsidised (free or heavily discounted) track**, priority typically goes to households consuming roughly **200 units or less per month**, with a sanctioned load up to about **2 kW**. These are the families hit hardest by protected-tariff removals.

For the **financed track**, larger 5 kW–10 kW systems are available to homeowners and SMEs who can show repayment capacity — usually a bank statement or salary slip. Commercial, industrial, and rental properties may be excluded from the free tier but can still access bank financing.

Subsidised vs financed: cost comparison in PKR

Prices vary by installer, brand, and city, but here is a realistic 2026 snapshot to help you budget. Financed monthly figures assume a concessional markup over five years.

| System size | Best for | Typical cash price (PKR) | Financed monthly (approx.) | Covers | |---|---|---|---|---| | 2 kW (subsidised) | Small low-income home | Rs 250,000–350,000 (part-subsidised) | Rs 5,000–8,000 | Fans, lights, 1 AC intermittently | | 5 kW | Average family home | Rs 900,000–1,150,000 | Rs 18,000–24,000 | 2 ACs, fridge, full home | | 10 kW | Large home / shop | Rs 1,700,000–2,200,000 | Rs 34,000–45,000 | Heavy load, small business |

The logic is simple: if your monthly bill is higher than the financed installment, the system effectively pays for itself while you own an asset for 20+ years. Most 5 kW installs reach payback in **3–5 years** even under the new rules.

Important 2026 change: net metering is now net billing

This is the single biggest update every applicant must understand. Under the **NEPRA (Distributed Generation Prosumer) Regulations, 2026**, effective from **9 February 2026**, new solar connections move from *net metering* to a *net billing* model.

What changed, in plain terms:

  • Old net metering let you swap an exported unit for an imported unit one-for-one.
  • Under net billing, exported units are bought at a lower **buyback rate** — reported around **Rs 8–11 per unit** for new consumers — while imported units are charged at the normal slab tariff.
  • **Existing** net-metering users keep their earlier agreement and the older buyback rate (around Rs 25 per unit) for the remainder of their contract.

The practical takeaway: size your system for **self-consumption**, not for selling surplus to the grid. Adding a battery to store daytime generation now makes far more financial sense than exporting cheaply. Read our deeper explainer on net metering vs net billing in Pakistan before you finalise system size.

How to apply online: step-by-step

The application is short if your documents are ready. Follow these steps:

1. **Gather documents** — CNIC (front/back), a recent electricity bill, and for financing, proof of income (salary slip or bank statement). 2. **Visit the official portal** — for the federal scheme use **aedb.org.pk**; for the Punjab window use **cmsolarscheme.punjab.gov.pk**. Never apply through unofficial "agent" sites. 3. **Register / create an account** using your CNIC and mobile number, then verify via OTP. 4. **Fill the application** — enter your reference number from the bill, sanctioned load, and household details. 5. **Choose your track** — subsidy or bank financing — and select a participating bank if financing. 6. **Upload documents** and submit. Note your tracking number. 7. **No internet?** Send your **CNIC and bill reference number by SMS to 8800**. 8. **Wait for verification** — DISCO and bank checks follow, then a survey visit and installation by an AEDB-approved vendor.

What is the deadline?

Here is the honest answer: **the deadline moves.** The scheme runs in phases, and each phase has its own closing date that is frequently extended as budgets and quotas are revised. Unofficial blogs routinely publish wrong "last dates" to drive traffic.

Do **not** rely on those. Confirm the current open phase and its deadline directly on **aedb.org.pk** or your provincial portal, or by visiting your nearest DISCO office. Because subsidy quotas are limited and often exhausted early, treat every phase as first-come, first-served and apply the moment a window opens.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is the PM Solar Scheme 2026 giving free solar panels?** Fully free systems exist only for the lowest-income, lowest-consumption households under the subsidised track, and quotas are small. Most applicants get concessional bank financing rather than a free system — still far cheaper than paying full price or high grid bills.

**How much can I save each month with the PM Solar Scheme?** A well-sized 5 kW system commonly cuts a Rs 40,000–60,000 monthly bill down to a few thousand rupees for import charges. If financed, your installment often stays below your old bill, so you save from month one.

**Does net billing make solar a bad investment in 2026?** No. It changes the math only for surplus you export. If you size for self-consumption and add storage, payback still lands around 3–5 years, and you own the system for two decades.

**Which banks offer PM Solar Scheme financing?** Participating banks include HBL, UBL, NBP and the Bank of Punjab, using the State Bank's concessional refinance facility. Markups and tenures vary, so compare EMI offers before signing.

The bottom line

The **PM Solar Scheme 2026** is one of the most practical ways for Pakistani households and small businesses to lock in cheaper, self-generated power. Confirm your eligibility, get your CNIC and bill ready, size your system for self-use under the new net billing rules, and apply through the official portal as soon as a phase opens — quotas run out fast.

Want help choosing the right system size and an approved installer? Contact Best Solar Company PK for a free load assessment and a transparent PKR quote before you apply.

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.