This guide covers the net metering application process — from confirming eligibility to DISCO submission, technical inspection, and getting your bidirectional meter installed.
Net Metering Eligibility Requirements
NEPRA regulations allow all on-grid solar system owners with systems up to 1 MW to apply for net metering through their DISCO. Three conditions must be met: the system must be grid-tied (on-grid), it must have been installed by an AEDB-licensed vendor, and you must receive a bidirectional net meter that separately counts electricity imports and exports.
Prepare Your Application Documents
Gather before visiting your DISCO: your DISCO consumer number (from your electricity bill); the AEDB vendor's installation completion certificate; the single-line diagram (SLD) of the solar system prepared by your vendor; the inverter's technical datasheet showing grid-tie certification; a load list declaration listing your home's appliances; a copy of your CNIC; and photographs of the completed installation.
Submit at the DISCO Net Metering Desk
Submit at the net metering counter at your DISCO's divisional or subdivisional office. Pay the application processing fee — approximately Rs. 5,000-15,000 depending on system size and which DISCO you're under. The DISCO reviews documents and schedules a technical inspection visit, typically within 2-4 weeks of submission.
Meter Replacement and the Start of Net Billing
After the inspection is approved, your DISCO replaces your existing meter with a bidirectional net meter. This replacement typically takes 2-8 weeks after approval depending on your DISCO's workload. From the day the net meter is installed, your billing changes: you pay only for net electricity consumed (imports minus exports). Any months where you export more than you import, the surplus rolls forward as credit on your next bill.
Installation and System Problems
NEPRA regulations specify no minimum system size for net metering eligibility. Request the regulatory basis for this requirement in writing — if the DISCO can't cite a NEPRA provision, escalate to NEPRA's consumer complaint portal.
Contact the DISCO's SDO in writing, referencing the approval date and requesting a specific meter installation date. Escalate to NEPRA's online complaint portal if no action is taken within 30 days of your written request.
Frequently Asked Questions
All 10 WAPDA DISCOs and K-Electric are required by NEPRA to offer net metering to eligible on-grid solar system owners. Processing efficiency varies significantly between DISCOs.
Exported units are credited at the same rate per unit you pay to import electricity — 1 kWh exported saves exactly as much on your bill as 1 kWh of grid consumption would cost.
Yes — net metering applies equally to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers for systems up to 1 MW.