Solar Calculator Pakistan 2026
Size a rooftop system under Pakistan's 2026 NEPRA net-billing rules. With the new lower buyback rate but very high grid tariffs, self-consumption now drives the savings — so this shows the difference a battery makes.
1 Your electricity
Pakistani tariffs have crossed ₨48/unit in higher slabs — the high import price is what makes solar pay back fast.
2 Metering (2026 rules)
NEPRA's Prosumer Regulations 2026 (SRO 251(I)/2026, 9 Feb 2026) ended net metering for new consumers, moving them to net billing with a buyback around ₨11/unit (down from ~₨25.9). Existing valid agreements keep their old rate until expiry.
Under net billing, exports earn little — so using your own solar (or adding a battery to push self-use to ~85%) is where the money is now.
New connection rules to know (2026)
3 Peak vs off-peak (AC timing)
Most Pakistani bills charge a much higher rate in the evening peak (≈5–11 PM) — exactly when AC runs and the sun is down. Solar covers your cheap daytime hours; it can't reach the evening peak unless you add a battery.
4 Cost & generation
Pakistan has excellent sun — roughly 4.5–5.3 units per kW per day across most of the country.
Indicative estimates only. NEPRA buyback rates, contract terms and tariffs change by notification and vary by DISCO. On-grid systems give no backup during load shedding — add a battery (hybrid) for that. Confirm current terms before purchasing.
How this is calculated
Plot-size sizing: if you size by plot, the calculator suggests a system from typical roof area for that plot (3 Marla ≈ 3–5 kW up to 1 Kanal ≈ 15–22 kW). It's an approximate roof-fit guide — real usable space depends on water tanks, stairwell, setbacks and shading.
Peak vs off-peak (time-of-use): Pakistani bills charge a much higher rate in the evening peak (≈5–11 PM) when AC runs and the sun is down. Solar covers your cheaper daytime (off-peak) hours directly; it cannot reach the evening peak unless you add a battery. The battery peak-shift gain = energy moved into the peak × (peak rate − buyback rate), i.e. the extra value of using stored solar at peak instead of exporting it cheaply.
Source: NEPRA Prosumer Regulations 2026 — verify current figures and rate slabs with your DISCO.
Solar in Pakistan: high tariffs and the new rules
Solar has boomed in Pakistan, driven by two forces: grid electricity has become very expensive, and panel prices have fallen sharply. For households facing high tariffs and load-shedding, generating your own power is compelling. But the rules changed in 2026 — net metering is being replaced by net billing under NEPRA's new regulations — which changes how surplus power is valued and makes self-consumption more important than ever. This calculator reflects the new framework, with figures presented as dated references to verify with your DISCO.
What changed: net metering to net billing
Under the older net-metering regime, exported units were effectively credited at close to the retail tariff. Under the 2026 NEPRA Prosumer Regulations, new systems move to net billing, where you're paid a lower buyback rate for exported surplus (substantially below the import tariff) while still paying the full rate for what you draw from the grid. The practical effect is the same shift seen in California, the UK and Germany: exporting surplus is now worth much less than using your own solar, so the economics reward self-consumption and storage rather than sending power to the grid. Existing net-metering agreements generally retain their terms until expiry, but material modifications (such as adding capacity) can move you to the new regime — so check before expanding an existing system.
Why high grid tariffs make solar so attractive
Pakistan's high and rising electricity tariffs are the core of the solar case. When grid power is expensive, every unit of solar you self-consume saves a large amount, so payback periods are short — often just a few years — and get shorter with each tariff increase. Combined with abundant sunshine across most of the country and low panel prices, this makes self-consumed rooftop solar one of the best investments available to a Pakistani household or business, even under the less generous net-billing rules. The key is to size and use the system so that you consume most of its output yourself rather than exporting it cheaply.
The 80% rule and connection limits
The new regulations include practical constraints worth knowing. Systems are generally limited relative to your sanctioned load, and there's an 80% cap tied to transformer capacity in the connection rules, plus a per-kW concurrence fee and study requirements for larger systems. These are administered by your distribution company (DISCO), and the specifics vary, so confirm the current limits and fees with your DISCO before sizing a system. For most homes, the practical takeaway is to size the system to your own consumption — which is both what the rules favour and what the economics reward under net billing.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, very much — because grid tariffs are high, self-consumed solar saves a lot, giving short payback periods. Net billing reduces what you earn for exported surplus, so the strategy shifts to using most of your solar yourself (and often adding a battery) rather than relying on export income.
Net metering credited exported units at close to the retail tariff; net billing pays a lower buyback rate for exports while you still pay the full import tariff. Under the 2026 NEPRA rules, new systems use net billing, which makes self-consumption far more valuable than exporting.
Existing agreements generally keep their terms until expiry, but a material modification — such as adding panels or capacity — can move you onto the new net-billing regime. If you have an older system and are considering expanding it, check the implications with your DISCO first.
Systems are generally limited relative to your sanctioned load, with an 80% transformer-capacity cap and fees or studies for larger installations under the new rules. Limits and charges are set by your DISCO and vary, so confirm current requirements locally before sizing. For most homes, sizing to your own consumption is both compliant and economically best.