Can solar export units offset Peak Hour units in Pakistan?

Under NEPRA regulations, physical solar export units (generated during daytime off-peak hours) CANNOT be directly subtracted 1:1 against evening Peak Hour units. Instead, daytime exports first wipe out your Off-Peak imported units. Any surplus export units are then converted into monetary PKR credits, which are deducted against the rupee cost of your evening peak units, fixed charges, and taxes.

What happens if I export more solar electricity than I consume in a month in Pakistan?

If your exported units exceed your imported units, your net electricity consumption for that month is zero (Rs. 0 for energy charges). The remaining financial credit is printed on your bill as 'Payable to Consumer / Advance Balance' and automatically carries forward to deduct from future winter bills or is paid out via direct bank transfer at quarterly/annual settlement.

Why do I still see Fuel Price Adjustment (FCA) on my solar bill in Pakistan?

DISCOs (LESCO, IESCO, K-Electric) charge Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) strictly on the gross units imported from the grid during nighttime hours. However, your accumulated solar export monetary credits will automatically pay off and zero out these FCA surcharges.

Billing Mastery

How to Read a Solar Green Meter Bill in Pakistan 2026: LESCO, IESCO, KE & MEPCO Guide

By PSI Editorial · 15 min read · Updated September 2026

Understanding bidirectional green meter solar electricity bill in Pakistan — PakSolarInsights

🧾 Green Meter Bill Essentials (Pakistan 2026)

Import Units (kWh): Electricity drawn from WAPDA at night or on cloudy days.
Export Units (kWh): Surplus solar energy sent back into the grid during daytime.
Net Billing (NEPRA Rule): Export units are credited against your bill; surplus cash balances carry forward.
Peak Hour Separation: Peak units (5 PM–10 PM / 7 PM–11 PM) are billed at premium rates (Rs. 55–65/unit) and settled via monetary credits.

Atomic Summary: Receiving your first bidirectional green meter electricity bill from LESCO, IESCO, K-Electric, FESCO, or MEPCO can be confusing. Unlike standard utility bills, a solar net metering bill contains 4 distinct meter reading registers (Import Off-Peak, Import Peak, Export Off-Peak, Export Peak). Master the step-by-step arithmetic to ensure your DISCO is accurately crediting your solar units.

The 4 Core Meter Reading Registers on Your Green Meter

A digital bidirectional 3-phase meter cycles through four primary electronic registers on its LCD screen, which appear on your monthly paper/e-bill:

Bill Register Code	Description	Meaning for Consumer	Billing Impact
01 (IMP OFF-PEAK)	Imported Off-Peak Units	Units you drew from WAPDA during regular daytime/night hours.	Debited at standard off-peak tariff.
02 (IMP PEAK)	Imported Peak Units	Units you drew from WAPDA during mandatory evening Peak hours (e.g. 5–10 PM).	Debited at highest peak tariff (Rs. 55–65/unit).
03 (EXP OFF-PEAK)	Exported Off-Peak Units	Surplus solar units sent into WAPDA during daytime (8 AM to 5 PM).	Credited to offset Import Off-Peak units 1:1.
04 (EXP PEAK)	Exported Peak Units	Surplus exported during official peak hours (usually zero unless you have battery export).	Credited at peak tariff.

Worked Mathematical Example: Calculating a Real Green Meter Bill

Consider a 10kW solar system on a 1 Kanal house in Lahore (LESCO) during a typical summer month:

📊 Sample Month Reading Breakdown:

Exported Off-Peak Units (Register 03): 1,100 kWh
Imported Off-Peak Units (Register 01): 400 kWh
Imported Peak Units (Register 02): 180 kWh (at Rs. 58/unit = Rs. 10,440)

🧮 Step-by-Step Billing Calculation:

Net Off-Peak Units: 1,100 Export – 400 Import = +700 kWh Net Surplus Export.
Energy Charge for Off-Peak: Rs. 0 (Fully wiped out!).
Monetary Value of 700 Surplus Units: 700 units × Rs. 27.50 (buyback tariff) = Rs. 19,250 Credit.
Deduct Peak Hour Consumption: Rs. 19,250 Credit – Rs. 10,440 (Peak Bill) = Rs. 8,810 Remaining Net Credit.
Final Bill Payable: Rs. 0.00 (The Rs. 8,810 credit rolls forward to the next month as an advance balance).

Understanding Surcharges: FCA, QTR, and Electricity Duty

Bill Line Item	Full Name	How It Is Calculated with Solar
FCA	Fuel Charges Adjustment	Levied only on gross units imported from WAPDA; offset by accumulated solar rupee credits.
QTR / QTA	Quarterly Tariff Adjustment	Periodic capacity charge adjustment applied to net billed units.
Electricity Duty / TV Fee	Provincial Government Surcharges	Fixed provincial tax (Rs. 35 TV fee + 1.5% duty); completely deducted from solar export credits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can DISCOs refuse to pay cash for accumulated solar export credits?

Under NEPRA Net Metering Regulations (Regulation 14), consumers with persistent credit balances can request a cash refund via crossed cheque or direct bank transfer at the end of the financial year (June 30th settlement cycle).

What should I do if my green meter reading shows incorrect export units?

Compare the meter LCD display values directly against your inverter cloud monitoring app (Solarman, FusionSolar). If the meter reading is misprinted, file a written correction application along with high-res photos of the meter screen to your local DISCO Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO).