What Changed in February 2026?
NEPRA (the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) introduced the Prosumer Regulations 2025, effective from February 8, 2026. This replaced the original Net Metering Regulations of 2015 for all new applicants. The core change: new solar customers no longer get one-to-one credits for exported electricity — they now sell surplus power at a fixed buyback rate under a Net Billing mechanism.
If you applied before February 8, 2026: You are fully protected. Your net metering agreement stays in place for its full 7-year term at the rate of Rs. 25.32/unit. No action needed.
Net Metering vs. Net Billing — Side by Side
| Feature | Net Metering (Pre-Feb 2026) | Net Billing (From Feb 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it applies to | Existing users (connected before Feb 8, 2026) | All new applicants from Feb 8, 2026 |
| Export buyback rate | ~Rs. 25.32 per unit | ~Rs. 10–13 per unit (NAEPP rate) |
| How billing works | Export units offset against import units (1:1 credit) | Consumption billed separately; exports paid at fixed rate |
| Contract term | 7 years | 5 years |
| Meter type | Bidirectional meter | Smart meter (mandatory) |
| System size limit | Up to 1.5x sanctioned load | Up to sanctioned load (no oversizing) |
| Estimated payback period | 5–6 years | 8–12 years |
| Unused credit rollover | Rolls forward indefinitely | Quarterly payment for net exports |
Is Solar Still Worth It Under Net Billing?
Yes — and here is why. The biggest savings from solar have always come from avoiding grid electricity, not from selling it back. Grid electricity in Pakistan now costs Rs. 40–65+ per unit for residential consumers (plus surcharges). Solar generation costs you roughly Rs. 8–10 per unit over the system's lifetime.
The key is right-sizing your system to your actual consumption. A well-designed system that matches your daytime usage means you self-consume 70–80% of what you generate. Only the remaining 20–30% is exported at the lower Rs. 10–13/unit buyback rate. The math still works strongly in your favour.
A hybrid system with battery storage reduces grid dependency even further — you store midday surplus and use it in the evening, maximising self-consumption and minimising exports at the lower buyback rate.
Saigal Solar's recommendation: Under Net Billing, system sizing matters more than ever. We design every system around your actual consumption data and bill history — not oversized systems chasing export revenue. Contact us for a free load analysis.
How to Connect Under Net Billing (New Applicants)
Install an Approved Solar System
Your system must use NEPRA-approved inverters and be installed by a registered company. Saigal Solar is a fully registered installer — we ensure your system qualifies from day one.
Prepare Documentation
CNIC copy · Latest FESCO bill · Property documents · System single-line diagram (SLD) · Inverter NEPRA approval certificate · Installer registration certificate · Completed Prosumer application form.
Submit Prosumer Application to FESCO
Submit the prosumer connection application to FESCO's Engineering Department with all documents and the application fee. We handle this on your behalf.
FESCO Technical Review & Site Inspection
FESCO engineers review documentation and conduct a site visit to verify the installation meets safety and technical standards.
Smart Meter Installation
FESCO installs a bidirectional smart meter (now mandatory under Prosumer Regulations 2025) that measures both import and export accurately. Cost is approximately Rs. 15,000–25,000 and is borne by the consumer.
Prosumer Agreement & Activation
FESCO issues a 5-year prosumer agreement and activates the net billing setup. Your monthly bill shows consumption charges and export credits separately. Quarterly payments are made for any net exports.
Quick Reference: Faisalabad (FESCO) Prosumer Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Applicable regulation | NEPRA Prosumer Regulations 2025 (from Feb 8, 2026) |
| Export buyback rate (new applicants) | ~Rs. 10–13/unit (National Average Energy Purchase Price) |
| Export buyback rate (existing users) | Rs. 25.32/unit (protected until contract expires) |
| Contract term (new) | 5 years |
| Application timeline | 6–12 weeks from application to smart meter activation |
| Maximum system size | Up to sanctioned load (no oversizing allowed for new applicants) |
| Smart meter cost | Rs. 15,000–25,000 (consumer pays) |
| DISCO in Faisalabad | FESCO (Faisalabad Electric Supply Company) |
| Number of existing net metering users (Pakistan) | ~283,000 (protected under old rates until ~2030–31) |
Why Battery Storage Changed From "Optional" to "Recommended" in 2026
Under the old Net Metering, oversizing your system was fine — extra generation just earned Rs. 25.32/unit as credit. Under Net Billing, that logic is reversed. Every unit you export at Rs. 10–13 is a unit you could have stored and used at home to avoid paying Rs. 40–65/unit to FESCO. The arithmetic has shifted strongly in favour of battery storage.
Store Midday Surplus, Use at Night
Solar generation peaks at noon when consumption is often low. Without a battery, that surplus goes to the grid at Rs. 10–13/unit. A Dyness 5kWh battery stores it and powers your home in the evening — saving Rs. 40–65/unit instead of earning Rs. 10–13. That's a 3–5× better return per unit.
Backup During Load-Shedding
A hybrid inverter with battery switches to battery automatically during FESCO outages — no generator, no UPS clunking. Your ACs, lights, and appliances keep running. For Faisalabad households still experiencing 4–8 hours of load-shedding, this alone justifies the battery cost.
Right-Size, Don't Oversize
Under Net Billing, the ideal system covers your daytime consumption plus charges the battery — nothing more. Our engineers calculate this from your actual bill data. Oversizing wastes money generating units you'll export at a low rate.
Payback Still Makes Sense
A hybrid 8kW system with 5kWh Dyness battery at approximately Rs. 999,999 — for a household paying Rs. 40,000/month in electricity — pays back in under 3 years through self-consumption savings alone, without relying on any export revenue.
Let Saigal Solar Handle Your Prosumer Application
We have completed dozens of FESCO solar grid connection applications in Faisalabad — residential, commercial, and industrial. When you install with us, we include the complete prosumer application service at no extra charge. We prepare all documentation, submit the application, coordinate FESCO site visits, and follow up until your smart meter is installed and your account is activated.