Time-of-Use Net Billing in Pakistan: Why Evening Solar+Battery Exports Could Pay Rs 18–22/kWh

• By Best Solar Company PK
• 02 Aug, 2026
• Net Metering
• 8 min read

Pakistan's rooftop solar rules are shifting again — and this time the change could actually reward you for storing power instead of dumping it to the grid at midday. A new proposal from the Power Division would introduce **Time-of-Use net billing** that pays prosumers a premium for electricity exported during the evening peak.

If you own a solar system, or you're about to buy one, this is the most important policy signal of 2026. Here's exactly what's on the table and what you should do before it becomes law.

What the advisor actually proposed

In late July 2026, Power Division Advisor Syed Faizan Ali proposed introducing a **Time-of-Use (ToU) net metering/net billing** framework with *enhanced evening discharge rates*. According to Business Recorder, the plan would pay roughly **Rs 18–22 per kWh** for power exported to the grid between **5:00 PM and 10:00 PM** — the country's costliest demand window.

The logic is straightforward. The grid is desperate for power in the evening, when solar generation drops but air-conditioners, lights and fans are all running. Paying prosumers a premium to discharge stored solar into the grid at that hour is cheaper for the system operator than firing up expensive furnace-oil or imported-LNG plants.

This is designed to accelerate Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) adoption. And Pakistanis are already moving: battery imports hit a record **652 MWh in April 2026**, with cumulative imports of about **6 GWh worth Rs 126 billion**, per industry data reported by TechJuice.

Why this matters after the February 2026 net-billing cut

To understand why a Rs 18–22 evening rate is a big deal, remember what just happened.

On **9 February 2026**, NEPRA notified the **Prosumer Regulations 2026**, replacing one-for-one net metering with **net billing**. Under the new model, your exported units are no longer credited at your retail tariff. Instead they are bought back at roughly the **National Average Energy Purchase Price — about Rs 11–13 per unit** — a steep drop from the Rs 22–27 many older consumers enjoyed. (Profit by Pakistan Today)

Meanwhile, you still *buy* grid power in the evening peak at Rs 50–60+ per unit under Time-of-Use tariffs. That gap is what makes flat net billing so painful — and exactly what the new ToU proposal aims to soften.

Here is the difference at a glance:

| Scenario | Daytime export rate | Evening (5–10 PM) export rate | Best strategy | |---|---|---|---| | Old net metering (pre-Feb 2026) | ~Rs 22–27 (1:1 credit) | ~Rs 22–27 | Export freely | | Current net billing (Feb 2026) | ~Rs 11–13 | ~Rs 11–13 | Self-consume; avoid export | | Proposed ToU net billing | ~Rs 11–13 | **Rs 18–22** | Store by day, discharge at peak |

The takeaway: under the proposed regime, a battery stops being a luxury and becomes the core money-making component of your system.

Should you wait or install now?

This is the question every prosumer is asking. The honest answer: **don't wait for the notification.**

The proposal is still just that — a proposal. It has not been notified by NEPRA, the exact rate band could change, and eligibility may be tied to having a bi-directional or smart ToU meter. But three facts make acting now the smarter play:

• **Grandfathering is real.** Existing net-metering agreements signed before the February 2026 shift were protected for the life of the contract. Getting registered early has repeatedly proven to lock in better terms.
• **Battery prices are volatile.** With imports at record highs and the rupee under pressure, LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery costs can swing month to month. A 5 kWh usable LFP pack currently runs roughly **Rs 350,000–550,000** installed, depending on brand and inverter compatibility.
• **Hybrid inverters are the bottleneck.** A ToU strategy needs a hybrid or storage-ready inverter that can be programmed to hold charge and discharge on a schedule. Retrofitting later is more expensive than buying right the first time.

Our practical tip from dozens of installs: **size your battery to your evening load, not your total daily load.** For most Lahore or Karachi homes, a 5–10 kWh usable battery covers the 5–10 PM window — the exact slot the proposal rewards — without over-capitalising on cells you'll rarely cycle.

How to prepare your system for ToU net billing

Whether you're a homeowner in Faisalabad or running a small factory in Sialkot, take these steps now:

1. **Insist on a hybrid, storage-ready inverter** with programmable time-of-use charge/discharge logic. 2. **Choose LFP over lead-acid** — deeper cycling, 6,000+ cycles, and better economics over 8–10 years. 3. **Ask your installer about smart/bi-directional metering** so you're eligible the day ToU billing is notified. 4. **Model your evening peak load** (AC + fridge + lights) so the battery is sized to discharge profitably from 5–10 PM. 5. **Keep your net-metering application moving** — registration queues at DISCOs like LESCO and MEPCO can take weeks.

For a fuller breakdown of the current rules, see our guide on the NEPRA net billing changes for 2026 and our comparison of the best lithium batteries for Pakistani homes. If you're new to the topic, start with how net metering works in Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is the Time-of-Use net billing rate of Rs 18–22 confirmed?** No. It is a proposal from a Power Division advisor as of August 2026 and has not yet been notified by NEPRA. The final rate, timing window and eligibility rules could change before it becomes official policy. Treat the figures as a strong signal of direction, not a locked guarantee.

**What are the proposed evening peak hours for higher export rates?** The advisor's proposal targets the **5:00 PM to 10:00 PM** window, which aligns with Pakistan's grid evening peak and with existing ToU tariff periods used by DISCOs and K-Electric.

**Do I need a battery to benefit from ToU net billing?** Effectively, yes. Solar generation is minimal after sunset, so the only way to export during the 5–10 PM premium window is to store daytime solar in a battery and discharge it in the evening. A solar-only system can't capture the higher rate.

**Will my existing net-metering agreement be affected?** Consumers grandfathered under agreements signed before the February 2026 net-billing shift retain their original terms for the contract duration. A new ToU option would most likely apply to new prosumers or those who opt in — but confirm details once NEPRA notifies the final regulation.

**Is solar plus battery still worth it in Pakistan in 2026?** Yes — arguably more than ever. With grid evening tariffs above Rs 50–60 per unit, every kWh your battery covers is a large saving even before any export premium. The proposed ToU rate would simply add a second income stream on top of self-consumption savings.

The bottom line

The move to Time-of-Use net billing marks a clear pivot: Pakistan wants prosumers to become mini power plants that feed the grid exactly when it's stretched. Rewarding evening solar+battery exports at Rs 18–22 per unit — nearly double the current flat net-billing rate — makes storage the smart investment of 2026.

Don't wait for the notification to catch you unprepared. Build a storage-ready system now, size your battery to the evening peak, and lock in your net-metering registration.

**Ready to future-proof your rooftop?** Talk to Best Solar Company PK for a free ToU-ready solar-plus-battery design tailored to your bill and your evening load.

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.