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

Before you spend a single rupee on solar hardware, one check decides whether your file sails through or gets bounced: is your exact inverter and panel model on your DISCO's NEPRA-approved equipment list? In 2026, with a heavy application backlog across LESCO, IESCO, FESCO and MEPCO, off-list gear has quietly become the single most common reason net-metering applications are rejected or stalled.

The rules have also tightened. In December 2025 the government replaced classic net metering with a **net-billing** model — exported units are now bought back at roughly Rs 10–11 per unit (down from about Rs 27), imported and exported units are billed separately, and systems up to 25 kW now need a NEPRA licence. When compensation is this thin, you cannot afford a three-month delay caused by an inverter that was never on the DISCO approved inverter list in the first place.

This guide shows you how to verify your equipment the right way, in the right order.

Why off-list gear is the #1 net-metering rejection cause in 2026

The numbers tell the story. As of 8 February 2026, roughly **5,165 net-metering applications** were sitting with the DISCOs, and by late May the Power Minister publicly flagged **1,355 still pending** — some delayed more than six months — before setting a 1 June deadline to clear the queue.

When a backlog is that deep, reviewing officers reject anything that isn't clean on paper, and the fastest rejection to write is "equipment not on the approved list." A grid-tied inverter that lacks proper anti-islanding certification, a panel model the DISCO can't find in its records, or a serial number that doesn't match your invoice — any one of these sends your file to the back of the line.

In a backlog, the file that clears fastest is the one the officer can approve without asking a single question. Approved, certified, serial-matched gear is that file.

What "approved" actually means: NEPRA, AEDB and your DISCO

"Approved" is not one list — it's a chain, and your equipment has to satisfy all of it:

  • **NEPRA** sets the regulatory framework and the technical standards your inverter and panels must meet.
  • **AEDB** (Alternative Energy Development Board) registers the vendors/installers who are allowed to file net-metering work; your installation must be done by an AEDB-registered vendor.
  • **Your DISCO** — LESCO, IESCO, FESCO, MEPCO, GEPCO, PESCO, HESCO, SEPCO or QESCO — maintains its own working list of accepted inverter models and does the physical inspection.

The critical trap: **an inverter approved by one DISCO is not automatically approved by another.** A model that clears easily in IESCO's Islamabad territory can be queried in MEPCO's. Always check against *your* DISCO, not a generic national list.

How to check your inverter and panel model against the list — step by step

Do this **before** you buy, not after the panels are on the roof.

1. **Write down the exact model number**, not the brand. "GoodWe" is not enough — you need "GoodWe GW5000-NS" or your precise variant, printed on the inverter nameplate and on the panel back-sheet label. 2. **Open the national net-metering portal** at nmp.pitc.com.pk and your DISCO's own site (for example lesco.gov.pk, iesco.com.pk, fesco.com.pk or mepco.com.pk) to find the current approved-equipment documentation. 3. **Confirm the certifications** (see the table below) match the datasheet for your specific model — the certificate must name that model, not a sibling product. 4. **Ask your AEDB-registered installer for the DISCO's latest list in writing.** Reputable installers keep an updated DISCO approved inverter list on hand; if yours can't produce one, treat that as a red flag. 5. **Match the serial numbers.** Since 2025, DISCOs such as LESCO require you to register the inverter's serial number at application to block grey-market units. The serial on the physical inverter must match your purchase invoice and your form exactly. 6. **Cross-check on NEPRA or AEDB** if the DISCO list is ambiguous or the model is new to the market.

If your model fails any step, swap it *before* purchase. Changing an inverter after installation means new wiring, a fresh inspection, and weeks lost.

Certifications your equipment must carry

Reviewers look for these standards on the datasheet. Missing or model-mismatched certificates are an instant query.

| Equipment | Certification | What it proves | |---|---|---| | Grid-tie inverter | IEC 62116 / UL 1741 | Anti-islanding — shuts off safely during a grid outage | | Solar panel | IEC 61215 | Design qualification & performance | | Solar panel | IEC 61730 | Electrical safety of the module | | DC/AC breakers & SPDs | IEC 60947 / 60898 | Protection chain quality | | Whole system | CE / TÜV listing | Internationally recognised safety mark |

Popular models that regularly appear on DISCO lists include inverters from GoodWe, Sungrow, Solis, Growatt, Huawei (SUN2000) and Fronius — but presence on a list still depends on the *exact* variant and your specific DISCO. Verify, don't assume.

Costs and fees to budget in 2026

Knowing the real numbers helps you spot inflated quotes and plan cash flow.

| Item | Typical cost (PKR) | |---|---| | Application / processing fee (residential) | 1,000 – 3,000 | | Technical inspection fee | 2,000 – 5,000 | | Bi-directional (green/AMI) meter | 18,000 – 52,000 (varies by DISCO) | | NEPRA licence via AEDB (systems > 25 kW) | 35,000 – 45,000 | | Protection gear (SPDs, MCBs, earthing) | 25,000 – 45,000 |

LESCO's supplied AMI meters sit at the higher end (around Rs 42,000–52,000), while PESCO and GEPCO quote roughly Rs 40,000–50,000. Get every fee in writing.

Your quick pre-application checklist

  • Exact inverter model verified on your DISCO's approved inverter list
  • Panel model IEC 61215 + IEC 61730 certified
  • Inverter carries IEC 62116 or UL 1741 anti-islanding
  • Installer is AEDB-registered
  • Inverter serial number recorded and matches the invoice
  • Application form, CNIC, paid bill and load details ready

For the wider process, see our net metering application guide for 2026 and our breakdown of solar system prices in Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I check if my inverter is on my DISCO's approved list?** Note the exact model number from the nameplate, then verify it against your DISCO's official documentation and the national portal at nmp.pitc.com.pk, and ask your AEDB-registered installer for the current DISCO approved inverter list in writing. Confirm the IEC 62116/UL 1741 certificate names your specific model.

**What happens if my solar inverter is not on the approved list?** Your net-metering application is very likely to be delayed or rejected — and in 2026's backlog, that can mean months. You'd then have to replace the inverter with an approved, certified model and re-inspect, so checking the NEPRA-approved equipment list before purchase saves both time and money.

**Do solar panels also need to be on the NEPRA-approved list?** Yes. Panels must carry IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 certification, and DISCOs increasingly record panel makes and models. Off-list or uncertified modules can hold up approval just as an off-list inverter can.

**Does my inverter serial number matter for net metering in 2026?** Absolutely. DISCOs such as LESCO now require the inverter serial number at application to stop grey-market hardware. The serial on the physical unit must match your invoice and your form exactly, or the file is queried.

The bottom line

In 2026, the smartest move a Pakistani homeowner or business can make is boringly simple: confirm your exact inverter and panel are on your DISCO's NEPRA-approved equipment list *before* you buy. With buyback rates down to around Rs 10–11 per unit and a backlog the government is racing to clear, a clean, certified, serial-matched application is your fastest route to approval. Not sure where your model stands? Talk to our net-metering team and get your equipment verified before you spend a rupee.

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.