Net metering is an arrangement where your rooftop solar system sends extra electricity to the grid and your electricity company credits you for it, so your bill shows only the net units you used. In India you get it by applying to your DISCOM, which installs a bi-directional meter after inspecting your plant. If you apply under PM Surya Ghar, the net metering agreement is built into the application on the national portal. Last checked October 2026.
How net metering works, in simple terms
During the day your solar panels may produce more power than your home uses. The extra flows out to the grid. At night or on cloudy days you draw power from the grid. A special meter records both flows. At the end of the billing cycle, the units you exported are adjusted against the units you imported, and you pay only for the difference (and fixed charges your DISCOM may levy).
| Item | Example (illustrative only) |
|---|---|
| Units imported from grid in a month | 300 |
| Units exported to grid in a month | 220 |
| Net units billed | 80 |
The example is only to explain the idea. How surplus units are valued, and whether unused credits carry forward, is decided by each state electricity regulatory commission, so the real numbers in your state may differ.
Net metering, net billing and gross metering
| Type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Net metering | Exports and imports are adjusted unit for unit; you are billed for the net units. |
| Net billing | Imports and exports are valued separately, often at different rates, and the money amounts are adjusted. |
| Gross metering | All the solar power is sold to the DISCOM at a fixed tariff and you buy all your use at the normal tariff. |
West Bengal is one state where reports say the regulator’s 2025 rules allow a choice between these options. Other states may allow only one or two. Ask your DISCOM which applies to you.
What the central rules say
The Ministry of Power amended the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules in February 2024 to make rooftop solar easier. According to the PIB release, systems up to 10 kW no longer need a technical feasibility study. For larger systems the time for the study was cut from 20 to 15 days, and approval is deemed granted if it is not completed in time. The DISCOM must commission rooftop systems within 15 days (earlier 30 days), and for systems up to 5 kW, any distribution network strengthening is done at the DISCOM’s cost.
| Rule (Feb 2024 amendment, PIB) | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Technical feasibility study | Required | Not required up to 10 kW |
| Feasibility study time above 10 kW | 20 days | 15 days (deemed approval if delayed) |
| Time to commission rooftop PV | 30 days | 15 days |
| Network strengthening up to 5 kW | Not specified in the release | DISCOM bears the cost |
The PIB release does not use the words ‘net metering’ or give load enhancement rules, so I am not attributing anything about those to it. Under PM Surya Ghar, MNRE says that technical feasibility requirements are waived, load is enhanced automatically up to 10 kW, and the net metering agreement is part of the application.
How to get net metering, step by step
- Check that your electricity connection is in your name and that your sanctioned load can support the system size. Some state rules limit solar capacity to your sanctioned load or contract demand.
- Apply through your DISCOM or, if you want the subsidy, through the national portal pmsuryaghar.gov.in. The portal sends the request to your DISCOM.
- Pay any application or inspection fee. Fees differ by state; for example, in West Bengal the older WBSEDCL procedure listed a fee of Rs 500 plus GST, while 2025 regulations are reported to say Rs 1,000. Ask for the current fee.
- Install the system through an approved or registered vendor, using panels and inverters that meet the standards in your state.
- Upload plant details and request the net meter. Your DISCOM inspects the installation.
- The DISCOM installs the bi-directional meter and commissions the system. On the national portal you then get the commissioning certificate.
- Check your next bills for ‘import’, ‘export’ and ‘net’ units. If they do not appear, contact the DISCOM.
Documents commonly needed
- Recent electricity bill with the consumer number.
- Identity proof and, where asked, proof of ownership of the premises.
- Technical details of the system (capacity, inverter, panels), usually supplied by the vendor.
- Bank details, if you are also claiming a subsidy.
I could not find one nationwide document list. Each DISCOM publishes its own, so use it as a general guide only.
State examples
Uttar Pradesh: The Solar Energy Policy 2022 allows net metering for grid-connected rooftop solar on private homes, and the UPNEDA portal says surplus power can be fed into the grid. West Bengal: WBSEDCL and CESC handle net metering; limits have changed between the 2021 procedure and the 2025 rules. Delhi: The state policy and portal cover the whole process through the DISCOMs, and a generation-based incentive procedure exists on the Delhi portal. See our state guides for details.
Common problems
- Delay in meter availability. Keep your application number and escalate to the DISCOM’s nodal officer or the portal grievance option.
- Wrong sanctioned load on the bill. Get it corrected before applying.
- Vendor not handling paperwork. Ask who is responsible for the net meter application in your quotation.
- Misunderstanding credits. Ask how long unused credits stay and what happens at the end of the financial year.
Is net metering worth it?
For most homes with a daytime-heavy load or steady exports, yes, because it is the way you convert extra generation into a lower bill. A solar system without a net meter can only offset your own daytime consumption. If your state offers only net billing or has changed its credit rules, the saving per exported unit may be lower, so check your state’s current rule before you size the system.
Conclusion
Net metering is mostly a paperwork process, and the central rules have made it quicker, especially for systems up to 10 kW. Start with the national portal if you want a subsidy, confirm the net metering type your state allows, and make sure your DISCOM installs the bi-directional meter before you start counting on credits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is net metering in India?
It lets you send extra solar power to the grid and get credit, so your bill shows only the net units after adjusting exports against imports.
How do I get net metering for rooftop solar?
Apply to your DISCOM directly or via the PM Surya Ghar portal. After inspection, the DISCOM installs a bi-directional meter and commissions the system.
Is a feasibility study needed for net metering?
Under the Feb 2024 central rules, systems up to 10 kW are exempt from the technical feasibility study.
How long should the DISCOM take to commission my rooftop solar?
The 2024 central amendment reduced the time for commissioning rooftop PV from 30 days to 15 days.
Is net metering the same in every state?
No. State regulators set limits, fees and how exported units are valued. Check your DISCOM and state commission rules.
