Net Billing Under NEPRA Prosumer Regulations 2026
On February 9, 2026, NEPRA notified the Distributed Generation and Net Billing Regulations 2026, replacing the old net metering framework. This change affects every new solar connection in Pakistan. If you are considering an on-grid system, understanding this regulation is essential before you make a decision about system size.
What Changed
Under the old net metering rules, one unit you exported to the grid cancelled one unit you imported. The math was simple and export was valuable because it offset grid electricity at the full consumer tariff.
Under net billing, the buyback rate for exported units is set at the national average energy purchase price, currently approximately PKR 11 per unit. But you pay the standard consumer tariff when importing from the grid, currently PKR 40 to 50 or more per unit depending on your consumption slab. The gap between what you receive for exports and what you pay for imports is now significant.
Item
Old Net Metering (pre Feb 2026)
Old Net Metering (pre Feb 2026)
Export rate
Unit for unit offset at tariff rate
Approx PKR 11 per unit (national average purchase price)
Import rate
Standard consumer tariff
Standard consumer tariff (PKR 40 to 50 plus per unit)
Export value
High — matches import tariff
Lower — significant gap vs import rate
Best system design
Maximise generation and export
Maximise self-consumption first
Sizing strategy
Oversize for maximum export
Size to match consumption, not to oversize
New connections from
No longer available
February 9 2026 onwards
What This Means for System Sizing
The most important consequence of net billing is that self-consumption is now far more valuable than export. Every unit your solar panels produce that you consume directly saves you the full import tariff rate. Every unit you export earns only approximately PKR 11.
Under the old net metering framework, oversizing a system to maximise export made financial sense. Under net billing, oversizing a system that exports more than it self-consumes delivers a poor return on the additional investment. The right system size under net billing is one that closely matches your actual daytime consumption rather than one designed to maximise export.
Existing Net Metering Contracts
If you already have an approved GEPCO net metering connection from before February 9, 2026, your existing contract remains valid until it expires. You are not forced onto net billing until your contract renewal. New connections and renewals from February 9, 2026 are governed by the net billing framework.
Our Project 1 — Madina Colony
Our 10.44kW on-grid installation in Madina Colony, DC Road, Gujranwala was commissioned in January 2025 and received GEPCO net metering approval before the February 2026 regulation change. That contract remains valid under the old net metering terms until expiry. New on-grid installations from February 2026 are designed under net billing rules with self-consumption as the primary objective. For details on modern layout registration parameters, read our complete step-by-step guide to GEPCO net billing.