To apply for net metering in Pakistan in 2026, you submit an application to your DISCO through an AEDB-registered “Active Installer,” along with your CNIC, your last three months’ paid electricity bills, proof of ownership, and a Single Line Diagram of your solar system, then wait for a technical site inspection and bi-directional meter installation. The full process, from application to an active meter, typically takes 3 to 4 months, and you’ll need a three-phase connection to qualify; single-phase users must upgrade first. LESCO, IESCO and K-Electric customers can also track parts of this process through the official Net Metering Portal, run by PITC.
This guide walks through eligibility, the exact documents to prepare, and the DISCO-by-DISCO submission process. If you’re still deciding whether solar makes financial sense before you apply, read is solar worth it in Pakistan and what net billing actually pays you first, since those numbers should shape how you size the system you’re about to apply for.
Table of Contents
- Eligibility: Can You Apply for Net Metering?
- Documents You Need
- Step-by-Step: The Application Process
- Realistic Timeline
- Common Reasons Applications Get Delayed or Rejected
- FAQs
Eligibility: Can You Apply for Net Metering?
Before you start the paperwork, confirm these basics:
- Three-phase connection. Net metering requires a three-phase meter. If you currently have a single-phase connection, you’ll need to upgrade with your DISCO before applying.
- Ownership or authorised occupancy. You need to show you own the premises or have the owner’s written consent, since the connection and meter are tied to the property.
- Clean, paid billing history. DISCOs typically ask for your last three months of paid bills as part of the application.
- A system sized to your load. Oversized systems face more scrutiny and, under 2026’s net billing rules, earn less for surplus export anyway, so size to your actual daytime consumption rather than maximum panel capacity.
Documents You Need
Gather these before contacting an installer, since incomplete applications are the most common cause of delay:
- CNIC copy of the electricity bill’s registered owner.
- Last three months’ paid electricity bills.
- Proof of ownership of the premises (or owner’s authorisation if you’re a tenant).
- Single Line Diagram (SLD) of the proposed system, prepared by your installer, showing panels, inverter, DC/AC breakers and Surge Protection Devices (SPDs).
- Equipment datasheets for your inverter and panels, confirming they carry IEC/CE/TUV certification and appear on NEPRA’s Approved Equipment List for the year you apply.
For the full official checklist and technical annexes, PPIB’s Net Metering Reference Guide for Electricity Consumers is the primary government reference most installers work from.
Step-by-Step: The Application Process
- Choose an AEDB-registered installer. Your installation must be carried out by a company registered with the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), or otherwise recognised by your DISCO as an “Active Installer.” Installers outside this list generally cannot get an application approved, no matter how good the hardware is.
- Get a technical survey done. Your installer visits the site, assesses your roof, sanctioned load and daytime usage pattern, and produces the Single Line Diagram required for the application.
- Submit the application to your DISCO. This is typically filed at the office of the Deputy Manager (Operations) for your area, either by your installer on your behalf or by you directly, along with all the documents above.
- DISCO technical review. Your DISCO checks the application, the SLD, and equipment certification against the Approved Equipment List.
- Site inspection. A DISCO technical team inspects the completed installation to confirm it matches the submitted SLD and meets safety requirements.
- Bi-directional meter installation. Once approved, your DISCO installs the bi-directional (net) meter, which typically costs between Rs 18,000 and Rs 28,000 depending on your DISCO and meter type.
- Net metering agreement signed and system activated. You sign the formal net metering agreement, which sets out the terms, and your system starts exporting and importing under net billing rates.
Realistic Timeline
Start to finish, most applicants report 3 to 4 months from submitting the application to an active, exporting system. The biggest variables are your DISCO’s current workload, how complete your documentation is on first submission, and how quickly a site inspection gets scheduled. Applications with missing documents or an installer who isn’t properly AEDB-registered tend to stretch well beyond that window, so the fastest path is getting the paperwork right the first time.
Common Reasons Applications Get Delayed or Rejected
- Installer not AEDB-registered or not on your DISCO’s active list. Confirm this before signing any installation contract, not after.
- Equipment not on the Approved Equipment List. Cheaper, uncertified inverters or panels are a frequent cause of rejection.
- Single-phase connection not upgraded first. This has to happen before, not alongside, the net metering application.
- Incomplete or mismatched documents, such as a bill in a different name than the CNIC provided, or an SLD that doesn’t match the equipment actually installed.
- Oversized system relative to sanctioned load. Your sanctioned load may need to be revised alongside the application if your proposed system significantly exceeds it.
FAQs
How long does net metering approval take in Pakistan?
Most applications take about 3 to 4 months from submission to an active bi-directional meter, depending on your DISCO’s workload and how complete your documents are on first submission. Missing paperwork or an unregistered installer commonly pushes this timeline longer.
Do I need a three-phase connection for net metering?
Yes. Net metering in Pakistan requires a three-phase connection. If you only have single-phase service, you need to apply to your DISCO for an upgrade before you can proceed with the net metering application itself.
Who can install my solar system for net metering to be approved?
Only installers registered with the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), or recognised by your DISCO as an “Active Installer,” can carry out installations that qualify for net metering approval. Check this registration before signing a contract.
How much does the net meter itself cost?
The bi-directional (net) meter typically costs between Rs 18,000 and Rs 28,000, depending on your DISCO and the specific meter installed. This is separate from your solar panel and inverter installation costs.
Where do I submit my net metering application?
Applications are typically submitted to the office of the Deputy Manager (Operations) at your local DISCO, usually filed by your AEDB-registered installer on your behalf along with your CNIC, paid bills, ownership proof and the Single Line Diagram.
Does the size of my solar system affect approval?
Yes. Your system should be sized close to your sanctioned load and actual usage pattern. A system that significantly exceeds your sanctioned load may require a load revision alongside the net metering application, which can add time to the process.
Once your system is approved and active, see what net billing actually pays for your exported units to understand your ongoing bill, or check any bijli bill online from our home page.