Regulation & Policy

NEPRA Solar Net Billing Rates 2026: Export Tariffs & Rules Explained

Q: What is the new NEPRA solar export buyback rate in Pakistan for 2026?

Under the NEPRA Distributed Generation and Net Billing Regulations 2026, the national grid export credit rate for new distributed solar systems is set at the National Average Energy Purchase Price (EPP), which is currently around Rs. 8.13 to Rs. 9.50 per unit (kWh), rather than the old retail slab rate of Rs. 28–42/unit.

Q: Are existing net metering connections affected by the 2026 net billing rule?

No. Existing solar owners with approved net metering contracts prior to the 2026 amendment are legally grandfathered and retain their original 1:1 retail tariff settlement until December 31, 2029 (a 3.5+ year protection grace period).

Q: How does net billing calculate my monthly WAPDA electricity bill?

Under net billing, your imported grid units are billed at the standard tiered retail tariff (e.g. Rs. 35/unit), while your exported solar units are credited as a cash rebate at Rs. 8.13/unit. The export monetary credit is then deducted from your total payable electricity bill.

By PSI Editorial · 8 min read · Updated September 2026

Bi-directional green meter installed for NEPRA net billing in Pakistan — PakSolarInsights

Atomic Summary: NEPRA's 2026 Net Billing Regulations transitioned Pakistan from 1:1 unit-swapping (Net Metering) to monetary value credits (Net Billing). New solar connections export surplus electricity at the Energy Purchase Price (approx. Rs. 8.13/kWh) while importing from WAPDA at standard retail rates (Rs. 25–45/kWh). Existing net-metering contracts are legally protected under old rules until December 31, 2029.

Net Metering vs Net Billing: What Changed in 2026?

Comparison Parameter	Net Metering (Old / Grandfathered)	Net Billing (New 2026 Regime)
Settlement Mechanism	1 exported unit = 1 imported unit	Cash credits based on EPP tariff
Export Value per kWh	Full retail rate (Rs. 25–45/unit)	Rs. 8.13 – 9.50 / unit
Import Cost per kWh	Standard slab tariff	Standard slab tariff (Rs. 25–45/unit)
Financial Strategy	Oversize system to produce negative bills	Maximize daytime self-consumption & battery storage
Protected Duration	Protected until Dec 31, 2029	Standard ongoing contract

Sample Bill Calculation Under Net Billing in 2026

Consider a 5kW solar household in Lahore under LESCO consuming 600 units/month and generating 650 units:

Self-consumed daytime solar: 350 units (Instant savings at Rs. 35/unit = Rs. 12,250 saved).
Units imported from WAPDA at night: 250 units @ Rs. 35/unit = Rs. 8,750 payable.
Surplus solar units exported to grid: 300 units @ Rs. 8.13/unit = Rs. 2,439 credit.
Net payable electricity bill: Rs. 8,750 − Rs. 2,439 = Rs. 6,311 (instead of Rs. 21,000 without solar).
Net Monthly Savings: Rs. 14,689 / month.

How to Maximize ROI Under the 2026 Rules

Shift Heavy Loads to Daytime: Run washing machines, iron, electric water heaters, and water pumps between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to consume solar directly at Rs. 35/unit value rather than exporting it at Rs. 8.13.
Invest in Energy Storage (Batteries): Storing daytime surplus in tubular or lithium batteries saves you from drawing Rs. 35+ units from WAPDA in the evening.
Size Appropriately: Do not install an oversized 15kW system for a 5kW house purely for export profits; size your system to match your actual daily electricity consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new NEPRA solar export buyback rate in Pakistan for 2026?

The export credit rate for new connections is fixed at the Energy Purchase Price (EPP), which averages around Rs. 8.13 to Rs. 9.50 per unit in 2026.

Are existing net metering connections affected by the 2026 net billing rule?

No, existing net-metered consumers keep their original 1:1 unit settlement terms under a grandfather clause valid through December 31, 2029.

How does net billing calculate my monthly WAPDA electricity bill?

Grid imports are charged at standard retail rates, while exported units receive a cash credit at Rs. 8.13/unit. The total export credit is subtracted from your gross bill amount.