SolarEstimate

Net Metering Calculator Pakistan

Size a net-metered solar system the smart way under NEPRA's revised buyback tariff. The calculator models self-consumption first and export second — the configuration that pays back fastest under the new PKR ~10/unit credit rate.

Start the calculator See 5kW system price

Net metering in Pakistan: 2025 framework

Net metering in Pakistan is regulated by NEPRA and runs through every DISCO — K-Electric, LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO, FESCO, HESCO, QESCO, GEPCO, SEPCO, and PESCO. A net-metered solar system feeds surplus generation back to the grid, and the DISCO credits you for those units against future bills. Residential connections are capped at 25 kW; commercial connections can go up to 1 MW.

What changed in 2024–25

NEPRA's most recent tariff revision dropped the net metering buyback from ~PKR 21–27/unit to approximately PKR 10/unit for new connections. This single change makes correct sizing dramatically more important than oversizing. Under the old buyback, installing a system 30% larger than your usage made financial sense — you exported the extra 30% at near-retail rates. Under the new rate, exporting at PKR 10 while paying PKR 50 for the same unit at night is a losing trade unless you're using a battery to time-shift.

How the net metering calculator works

The net metering calculator Pakistan sizes a system that maximises self-consumption first. For each scenario it computes:

  • Self-consumed units — daytime solar generation that directly replaces grid units you would have bought at your tariff slab.
  • Exported units — surplus generation sent back to the grid, credited at NEPRA's notified buyback rate.
  • Imported units — night-time and cloudy-day consumption from the grid, charged at your tariff slab.
  • Net bill — what you actually pay each month after credits.

Net metering approval process

Approval timelines vary by DISCO. IESCO and LESCO typically clear residential applications in 4–8 weeks. K-Electric and MEPCO are 6–10 weeks. The installer handles most of the paperwork — NTN, CNIC, electricity bill, system design, single-line diagram, and the DISCO's application form. You'll need a three-phase connection above 5 kW for most DISCOs; if you're on single-phase, the installer typically handles the upgrade as part of the application.

Should you go net-metered or off-grid?

For 95% of urban residential customers, net-metered is the answer. It's cheaper than off-grid (no large battery bank needed), easier to expand later, and gives you a path to selling surplus back to the grid. Off-grid only makes sense in remote locations without a reliable DISCO connection — at which point the calculator's battery sizing recommendation becomes the key output.

K-Electric, LESCO, IESCO — same calculator, different cities

The calculator works the same way across every DISCO because NEPRA sets the net metering framework uniformly. The differences are in the underlying tariff slabs (slightly different per DISCO), local peak sun hours, and approval timelines. The calculator localises peak sun hours per city — for DISCO-specific tariff differences, override the electricity tariff field on the settings page with your actual per-unit rate.

Net metering calculator FAQs

What is net metering in Pakistan?
Net metering is a NEPRA-regulated programme that lets you connect a solar system (1–25 kW residential, up to 1 MW commercial) to the grid and receive credit for surplus generation. Every DISCO — K-Electric, LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO, FESCO, HESCO, QESCO, GEPCO, SEPCO, PESCO — runs the programme under the same NEPRA framework.
What is the net metering tariff in Pakistan in 2025?
Under NEPRA's latest notification, surplus solar exported to the grid is credited at approximately PKR 10/unit. This is significantly lower than the previous PKR 21–27/unit buyback rate, which makes correctly sizing your system to your own consumption more important than oversizing for export.
How long does net metering approval take?
Net metering approval timelines vary by DISCO. IESCO and LESCO typically clear residential applications in 4–8 weeks, K-Electric and MEPCO in 6–10 weeks. The calculator can help you size a system that fits within the 25 kW residential cap to avoid commercial-tier paperwork.
Do I need a three-phase connection for net metering?
Three-phase is required only above 5 kW for most DISCOs. If you have a single-phase connection and want a 7–10 kW system, you'll need to upgrade to three-phase as part of the net metering approval — installers typically handle this paperwork for you.
How does the solar estimate calculator work?
Enter your monthly electricity bill, units consumed (kWh), and city — or upload a WAPDA / K-Electric / IESCO / LESCO bill PDF. The calculator sizes a solar system that offsets your usage based on local peak sun hours, applies current installed costs in PKR, and projects savings against your tariff slab. Results include system size in kW, panel count, monthly savings, and payback years.
Is the solar calculator free to use?
Yes. SolarEstimateOnline is a free solar calculator for Pakistan. There is no signup, no email gate, and no callback from sales reps. Every calculation runs in your browser — your bill data never leaves your device.
How accurate is the solar estimate?
The estimate is accurate within roughly ±10% for residential systems. We use NEPRA-published tariff slabs, average per-city peak sun hours, and current installed system costs from Pakistan's solar market. For a binding quote you still need an on-site survey, but the calculator is designed to be within range of real installer proposals.