MEPCO Net Metering & Solar Connection Guide
Everything you need to connect solar to your MEPCO account — eligibility, the application process, required documents, and the 2026 policy shift from net metering to net billing.
Do you qualify for net metering?
Confirm these basics before contacting an installer.
Active MEPCO Connection
Domestic, commercial, industrial or agricultural — all connection types are eligible.
Three-Phase Supply
Net metering generally requires a three-phase connection — single-phase may need an upgrade first.
1 kW – Sanctioned Load
Your solar system's capacity can't exceed the sanctioned load already listed on your bill.
Certified Installer
Your system should be installed by an AEDB-certified or PEC-registered solar company.
What actually changed in 2026
NEPRA's Prosumer Regulations moved new applicants to a different billing mechanism.
Like-for-Like Credit
- Exported units offset imported units roughly 1-for-1 on your bill.
- You effectively "bank" surplus solar generation at full retail value.
- Still applies to applications approved under the old policy cut-off.
Separate Import & Export Rates
- Imported electricity is billed at your normal MEPCO tariff.
- Exported units are credited separately at a distinct buyback rate — typically lower than the retail tariff.
- Self-consumption (using solar power as you generate it) now matters more for savings than export volume.
How to apply for MEPCO net metering
Site assessment
An AEDB-certified or PEC-registered installer surveys your property and checks your sanctioned load against the solar system you want to install.
Submit your application
Your installer (or you directly) submits the net metering application with ownership proof and technical specifications, including a single-line diagram, to your MEPCO subdivision office.
MEPCO document & capacity review
MEPCO checks your system capacity, sanctioned load, and grid compatibility against NEPRA's technical standards.
Site inspection
A technical team inspects the installation for safety compliance, including anti-islanding protection on your inverter.
Agreement & NEPRA licensing
Once approved, MEPCO executes the net metering agreement; the NOC is forwarded to NEPRA to formally register your system.
Bi-directional meter installation
MEPCO installs the smart bi-directional meter that records both imported and exported units, activating your connection.
What you'll need to apply
Import vs export, in plain terms
Your bi-directional meter tracks two separate flows each month.
Why there's no fixed Rs/unit buyback rate shown here: the export buyback rate is set by NEPRA and has changed more than once in recent years, with different figures reported across sources. Rather than publish a number that could already be outdated by the time you read this, we recommend confirming the current rate directly through NEPRA's latest notification or your MEPCO subdivision office before finalizing your solar investment calculations.
Solar & net metering questions, answered
You need an active MEPCO connection, typically a three-phase supply, and a solar system sized between 1 kW and your sanctioned load (up to 1 MW under the generation licence exemption framework). Your installer should be AEDB-certified or PEC-registered.
Under the older net metering model, exported solar units were credited on a like-for-like basis against imported units. Under the newer net billing model introduced in 2026, imported electricity is charged at your standard tariff, while exported units are credited separately at a distinct, typically lower, buyback rate.
Applications submitted before the government's announced cut-off date in February 2026 are generally processed under the older policy. If your application was pending around that time, confirm your status directly with your MEPCO subdivision office.
Timelines vary, but many applicants report roughly 6 to 12 weeks from application submission to bi-directional meter installation, depending on document completeness, inspection scheduling, and seasonal application volume.
Yes, a three-phase MEPCO connection is generally required for net metering approval. If you currently have a single-phase connection, you may need to upgrade it before applying.