Solar net metering in Lahore — the complete step-by-step process

Net metering is the arrangement that makes residential solar financially viable in Lahore. Without it, your solar panels generate power during the day, but any surplus you do not use goes to waste. With net metering, LESCO credits you for every unit you feed back into the grid, and you draw against those credits when your panels are not producing — at night or on cloudy days. Your bill becomes a net calculation of what you consumed versus what you exported.

This article walks through the complete net metering process in Lahore: eligibility, the application paperwork, the inspection stages, typical timelines, and what can delay your connection. If you are considering solar, understanding this process upfront saves surprises later.

Eligibility for net metering in Lahore

LESCO currently allows net metering for systems up to 1 MW, but the residential range is typically 1 kW to 50 kW. Your system must use a grid-tied inverter — not a standalone off-grid unit — and the inverter must be approved by AEDB (Alternative Energy Development Board). Most major inverter brands sold in Pakistan are already on the approved list, but it is worth confirming before purchase if you are buying the inverter separately.

Your property must have a valid LESCO connection and meter. If you are in a new society where LESCO has not yet installed permanent meters, net metering will not be possible until that is done. The connection must be in the name of the applicant — if the property is rented, the owner needs to sign the application jointly.

The net metering application process step by step

Step 1: System design and load assessment. Before you apply, a solar installer assesses your monthly consumption from your last six to twelve LESCO bills. This determines the system size that matches your usage. Oversizing is allowed up to a point, but LESCO typically approves systems that do not exceed your sanctioned load.

Step 2: Submit the application to LESCO. The application includes the system design, one-line diagram, equipment specifications, and copies of your CNIC and recent LESCO bills. Your installer usually handles this paperwork. LESCO assigns a registration number and a case officer.

Step 3: Technical evaluation by LESCO. LESCO reviews the system design to ensure your inverter meets grid standards, the system is properly sized, and the protection settings (over-voltage, under-voltage, frequency) are configured correctly. This stage can take two to four weeks.

Step 4: Installation of the solar system. Once LESCO approves the design, you install the panels and inverter. The system is not connected to the grid at this point — it must pass inspection first. The installer wires everything, sets up the net metering panel, and configures the inverter for grid-tied operation.

Step 5: LESCO inspection. A LESCO inspection team visits your property to verify that the installation matches the approved design. They check the inverter model, the meter panel, the earthing, and the physical installation of panels. If everything passes, they install the bidirectional meter that measures both consumption and export. This is the critical stage — any deviation from the approved design will delay approval.

Step 6: Net metering agreement signing. After the inspection passes, you sign a net metering agreement with LESCO. This is a standard contract that defines the tariff at which surplus energy is credited. The current rate is based on the avoided cost of generation — effectively the same per-unit rate you pay.

Step 7: Commissioning and operation. Once the bidirectional meter is installed and the agreement is signed, your system is officially live. You start exporting surplus generation during the day and drawing from the grid at night. Credits accumulatemonthly and roll over for up to twelve months. Any surplus beyond that is settled at the end of the year.

Typical timelines and common delays

From application submission to commissioning, the process typically takes six to twelve weeks in Lahore. Delays are most common at the technical evaluation stage (if the design documents are not complete) and at the inspection stage (if the installation does not match the approved design). Choosing an installer who knows the LESCO process well reduces both of these risks significantly.

Other common delays include: the property title documents need to match the LESCO connection name, which is not always the case in inherited properties; the sanctioned load needs to be adequate for the proposed system size, which sometimes requires a load increase application first; and in newer societies, the LESCO meter itself may not yet be a compatible type.

What net metering actually saves you

A typical Lahore home consuming 500 to 800 units per month with a 5 kW to 8 kW solar system can reduce its monthly bill by 60 to 80 percent depending on the season. Exports are highest in the winter months when AC usage is low, generating credits that offset the higher summer consumption. The actual payback period depends on the system cost and your consumption pattern, but most installations in Lahore reach payback within three to five years at current tariffs.

For a detailed savings calculation, see our solar system services page or contact us for a free assessment. We handle the full net metering process from system design to LESCO documentation and commissioning, working across Lahore including Canal Garden, Valencia Town, and Wapda Town.