The Power Division has revised net metering rules after many solar consumers were overbilled, ensuring fair credit for electricity supplied within approved capacity.
What Went Wrong With Solar Net Metering Bills
Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari took notice of widespread complaints from solar net metering consumers who said that their exported electricity units were not being credited in recent bills. The issue surfaced after the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) issued instructions that affected how power distribution companies processed units supplied to the grid by rooftop solar users.
According to the Power Division, some consumers had installed solar systems with capacities greater than the limit approved in their net metering licences. In several such cases, power companies ended up not crediting any units at all for the electricity exported to the national grid last month. This meant that even the units generated within the approved capacity were ignored, leading to higher bills and frustration among solar customers who had invested heavily in clean energy systems.
Revised Policy: How Unit Crediting Will Now Work
After reviewing the matter, the Power Division clarified that completely withholding credit for such consumers was not the correct approach. Under the revised instructions issued to all power distribution companies (DISCOs), only the electricity units generated beyond the approved capacity will not be credited. In simple terms, any units supplied to the grid within the licensed capacity must now be fully credited in the consumer’s bill.
This change restores a key principle of net metering: consumers should receive fair credit for the clean electricity they legally export to the grid. The decision is also meant to reassure existing and potential solar users that policy changes will not suddenly make their investments unviable. By drawing a clear line between approved and excess capacity, the government aims to enforce rules without punishing compliant users.
Bill Adjustments for Previously Affected Consumers
For consumers whose net metering units were not credited in their previous bills, the Power Division has announced that necessary adjustments will be made in the next billing cycle. This means that DISCOs will recalculate the units that should have been credited within the approved capacity and reflect them in upcoming bills, effectively compensating affected customers.
The move is particularly important for households and businesses that rely on net metering to manage their electricity costs. Many solar users size their systems to offset a large portion of their monthly consumption, and even a single cycle of missing credits can result in unexpectedly high charges. With these corrections, the government is signalling that it recognises the financial impact and is willing to correct past invoices.
What Solar Consumers Should Do Next
Solar net metering consumers are advised to carefully review their upcoming electricity bills to ensure that the exported units within their approved capacity are now being credited correctly. Those who noticed missing credits in earlier bills should compare their net metering data, rooftop inverter readings and new invoices once the adjustments are applied.
If discrepancies continue, consumers can lodge complaints with their DISCO’s customer service centres or approach the relevant consumer grievance forums. The federal minister has publicly stated that the government will protect the legitimate rights of electricity users and that no compromise will be made on fair treatment. For Pakistan’s growing solar community, this intervention is a reminder that policy clarity and regulatory oversight are essential to maintaining confidence in clean energy investments.
