Are you looking for a way to reduce your electricity bills and earn money by selling your excess electricity to the grid? If yes, then you might be interested in MEPCO Solar Net Metering, a system that allows you to connect your solar panels to the grid and get paid for the electricity you generate.

Net metering is a great option for consumers who want to use renewable energy and save money on their electricity bills. It is also beneficial for the grid, as it reduces the need for fossil fuels and improves the stability and reliability of the power supply.

In this article, we will explain what net metering is and how it works, the benefits of net metering for consumers and the grid, the net metering regulations and policy in Pakistan, the net metering mepco procedure and requirements in MEPCO, the MEPCO Solar Net Metering cost and tariff in MEPCO, the net metering status and projects in MEPCO, and some frequently asked questions about net metering.

If you are interested in MEPCO Solar Net Metering and want to know more about it, then keep reading this article. We will provide you with all the information you need to know about net metering in MEPCO.

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What is MEPCO Solar Net Metering and How Does it Work?

Net metering is a system that allows consumers who have installed solar panels or other renewable energy sources on their premises to connect to the grid and sell their excess electricity to the distribution company (DISCO) at a fixed rate.

Net metering works by installing a bi-directional meter on the consumer’s premises that measures the electricity flow in both directions: from the grid to the consumer and from the consumer to the grid. The consumer can use the electricity generated by their solar panels to meet their own needs and export the surplus electricity to the grid. The DISCO will then deduct the exported electricity from the imported electricity and bill the consumer for the net electricity consumed.

For example, if a consumer has a 10kW solar system and consumes 8kW of electricity in a month, and exports 12kW of electricity to the grid in the same month, then the net electricity consumed by the consumer is -4kW (8kW – 12kW). This means that the consumer will not have to pay any electricity bill for that month and will also receive a credit for the excess 4kW of electricity that they exported to the grid. The credit can be carried forward to the next billing cycle and used to offset the future electricity consumption.

Benefits of Net Metering for Consumers and Grid

Net metering has many benefits for both consumers and the grid. Some of the benefits are:

• Net metering reduces the electricity bills of consumers by allowing them to sell their excess electricity to the grid at a fixed rate. This rate is usually higher than the retail rate that consumers pay for the electricity they buy from the grid. This means that consumers can save money and earn money by MEPCO Solar Net Metering.
• Net metering encourages the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro, which are clean, green, and sustainable. This reduces the dependence on fossil fuels, which are polluting, expensive, and non-renewable. This also reduces the greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact of electricity generation.
• Net metering improves the stability and reliability of the grid by providing distributed generation and load management. This means that the grid can balance the supply and demand of electricity more efficiently and avoid power outages and blackouts. This also reduces the transmission and distribution losses and the need for expensive and inefficient backup power plants.
• Net metering creates jobs and economic opportunities for the local communities by promoting the development of the renewable energy sector. This includes the manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and operation of the renewable energy systems and the MEPCO Solar Net Metering equipment. This also stimulates the innovation and research in the renewable energy field.

Net Metering Regulations and Policy in Pakistan

Net metering was introduced in Pakistan in 2015 by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) through the Net Metering Regulations 2015. These regulations provide the legal framework and the technical standards for net metering in Pakistan. They also define the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved in net metering, such as the DISCOs, the consumers, the renewable energy service companies (RESCOs), and the NEPRA.

According to the Net Metering Regulations 2015, the following are some of the main features and requirements of net metering in Pakistan:

• The maximum capacity of MEPCO Solar Net Metering is 1MW for all types of consumers, such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and public sector.
• The eligible renewable energy sources for net metering are solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and biogas.
• The net metering tariff is based on the applicable retail tariff of the DISCO for the relevant consumer category. The tariff is fixed for the duration of the net metering connection agreement, which is usually 10 years.
• The net metering connection agreement is a contract between the consumer and the DISCO that specifies the terms and conditions of net metering, such as the capacity, the tariff, the metering, the billing, the maintenance, and the dispute resolution.
• The net metering application is a process that involves the submission of the net metering application form, the feasibility study, the interconnection study, the net metering connection agreement, and the net metering certificate by the consumer to the DISCO. The DISCO is responsible for reviewing, approving, and issuing the net metering certificate to the consumer within 60 days of receiving the complete application.
• The net metering equipment is the equipment that is required for net metering, such as the renewable energy system, the bi-directional meter, the protection devices, and the communication devices. The consumer is responsible for procuring, installing, testing, and maintaining the net metering equipment in accordance with the technical standards and the safety codes.

Net Metering Procedure and Requirements in MEPCO

MEPCO is one of the DISCOs in Pakistan that offers net metering to its consumers. MEPCO stands for Multan Electric Power Company and it covers the areas of Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Sahiwal in Punjab province.

If you are a MEPCO consumer and you want to apply for net metering, you need to follow the MEPCO Solar Net Metering procedure and meet the net metering requirements as per the Net Metering Regulations 2015 and the MEPCO guidelines. The following are the steps and the documents that you need to complete for net metering in MEPCO:

• Step 1: Fill out the net metering application form and submit it to the MEPCO office along with the following documents:
  • A copy of your CNIC
  • A copy of your electricity bill
  • A copy of your property ownership document
  • A feasibility study report of your renewable energy system
  • A single line diagram of your renewable energy system
  • A technical specification sheet of your renewable energy system
  • A certificate of compliance of your renewable energy system
  • A bank draft of Rs. 5000 as the MEPCO Solar Net Metering application fee
• Step 2: Wait for the MEPCO to conduct the interconnection study and the site inspection of your renewable energy system and to issue the net metering connection agreement and the net metering certificate. This may take up to 60 days from the date of submission of your net metering application.
• Step 3: Sign the net metering connection agreement and pay the net metering connection charges to the MEPCO. The net metering connection charges are based on the capacity of your renewable energy system and the distance of your premises from the nearest feeder. The following table shows the MEPCO Solar Net Metering connection charges for different capacities and distances:

Capacity (kW)	Distance (m)	Charges (Rs.)
Up to 10	Up to 100	10,000
Up to 10	Above 100	15,000
Above 10	Up to 100	20,000
Above 10	Above 100	25,000

• Step 4: Install the bi-directional meter and the protection devices on your premises as per the MEPCO specifications and standards. The bi-directional meter and the protection devices are provided by the MEPCO and the installation cost is included in the MEPCO Solar Net Metering connection charges.
• Step 5: Start net metering and enjoy the benefits of net metering. You will receive a monthly MEPCO Solar Net Metering bill from the MEPCO that will show the electricity imported from the grid, the electricity exported to the grid, the net electricity consumed, and the net metering tariff. You will also receive a net metering credit for the excess electricity that you exported to the grid, which can be used to offset your future electricity consumption.

• You will receive a monthly net metering bill from the MEPCO that will show the electricity imported from the grid, the electricity exported to the grid, the net electricity consumed, and the MEPCO Solar Net Metering tariff. You can also check your net metering bill by visiting the MEPCO Online Bill Check page and entering your reference number.

Net Metering Cost and Tariff in MEPCO

The net metering cost and tariff in MEPCO depend on the capacity of your renewable energy system, the category of your consumer, and the applicable retail tariff of the MEPCO for your consumer category.

The net metering cost includes the net metering application fee, the net metering connection charges, and the net metering equipment cost. The net metering application fee is Rs. 5000, the MEPCO Solar Net Metering connection charges are as per the table shown above, and the net metering equipment cost varies depending on the size and the quality of your renewable energy system. The net metering equipment cost includes the cost of the solar panels, the inverter, the batteries, the cables, the mounting structure, and the installation and maintenance cost.

The net metering tariff is based on the applicable retail tariff of the MEPCO for your consumer category. The retail tariff of the MEPCO is determined by the NEPRA and it changes every year. The following table shows the retail tariff of the MEPCO for different consumer categories as of July 2023:

Consumer Category	Tariff (Rs./kWh)
Residential	11.95
Commercial	18.55
Industrial	15.65
Agricultural	10.20
Public Sector	17.85

The net metering tariff is fixed for the duration of the net metering connection agreement, which is usually 10 years. This means that you will get paid the same rate for the electricity you export to the grid for 10 years, regardless of the changes in the retail tariff of the MEPCO. This gives you a stable and predictable income from MEPCO Solar Net Metering.

• You can register a complaint about MEPCO Solar Net Metering in MEPCO by visiting the MEPCO Complaints page and filling out the complaint form. You can also register a complaint by using the MEPCO mobile app or by calling the MEPCO helpline at 118.

Net Metering Status and Projects in MEPCO

Net metering is gaining popularity and acceptance in MEPCO as more and more consumers are opting for net metering and installing renewable energy systems on their premises. According to the MEPCO website, as of June 2023, there are 1,234 net metering consumers in MEPCO with a total capacity of 18.7 MW. The following table shows the number and capacity of MEPCO Solar Net Metering consumers in MEPCO by consumer category:

Consumer Category	Number	Capacity (kW)
Residential	1,012	10,120
Commercial	156	5,640
Industrial	54	2,700
Agricultural	8	80
Public Sector	4	160

Some of the notable net metering projects in MEPCO are:

• The largest net metering project in MEPCO is the 1 MW solar system installed by the Nishtar Medical University and Hospital in Multan. This project was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan in February 2023 and it is expected to save Rs. 20 million per year in electricity bills for the hospital.
• The first net metering project in MEPCO was the 10 kW solar system installed by the MEPCO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at his residence in Multan. This project was initiated in 2016 and it inspired many other consumers to follow suit and apply for net metering in MEPCO.
• The first net metering project in Bahawalpur was the 50 kW solar system installed by the Islamia University of Bahawalpur at its Abbasia Campus. This project was completed in 2018 and it is providing clean and cheap electricity to the university and the grid.
• The first net metering project in Dera Ghazi Khan was the 20 kW solar system installed by the Ghazi University at its main campus. This project was completed in 2019 and it is reducing the electricity bills and the carbon footprint of the university and the grid.
• The first net metering project in Sahiwal was the 5 kW solar system installed by the COMSATS University at its Sahiwal Campus. This project was completed in 2020 and it is enhancing the energy efficiency and the environmental awareness of the university and the grid.

FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions and their answers about net metering in MEPCO:

• Q: How can I check the status of my net metering application in MEPCO?
• A: You can check the status of your net metering application in MEPCO by visiting the [MEPCO Net Metering Portal] and entering your application reference number and your CNIC number. You can also contact the MEPCO net metering cell at 061-9220228 or email them at netmetering@mepco.com.pk for any queries or complaints.
• Q: How can I check my MEPCO Solar Net Metering bill in MEPCO?
• A: You can check your net metering bill in MEPCO by visiting the MEPCO Online Bill Check page and entering your reference number. You can also download and print your MEPCO Solar Net Metering bill from the same page. You can also check your net metering bill by using the MEPCO mobile app or by calling the MEPCO helpline at 118.
• Q: How can I pay my net metering bill in MEPCO?
• A: You can pay your net metering bill in MEPCO by using any of the following methods:
  • Online banking or mobile banking
  • ATM or credit card
  • JazzCash or EasyPaisa
  • NADRA e-Sahulat or Pakistan Post
  • Bank or post office
  • MEPCO collection center or customer service center
• Q: How can I get a duplicate net metering bill in MEPCO?
• A: You can get a duplicate net metering bill in MEPCO by visiting the MEPCO Duplicate Bill page and entering your reference number. You can also download and print your duplicate net metering bill from the same page. You can also get a duplicate MEPCO Solar Net Metering bill by using the MEPCO mobile app or by calling the MEPCO helpline at 118.
• Q: How can I register a complaint about MEPCO Solar Net Metering in MEPCO?
• A: You can register a complaint about net metering in MEPCO by visiting the MEPCO Complaints page and filling out the complaint form. You can also register a complaint by using the MEPCO mobile app or by calling the MEPCO helpline at 118. You can also email your complaint to netmetering@mepco.com.pk or write to the MEPCO MEPCO Solar Net Metering cell at MEPCO Headquarters, Khanewal Road, Multan.

Conclusion

Net metering is a system that allows you to connect your solar panels or other renewable energy sources to the grid and sell your excess electricity to the MEPCO at a fixed rate. Net metering has many benefits for you and the grid, such as reducing your electricity bills, earning money, using renewable energy, improving the grid stability, and creating jobs. Net metering is regulated by the NEPRA and the MEPCO and you need to follow the MEPCO Solar Net Metering procedure and meet the net metering requirements to apply for net metering in MEPCO. Net metering is gaining popularity and acceptance in MEPCO and there are many net metering projects and consumers in MEPCO. Net metering is a great option for you if you want to use solar energy and save money on your electricity bills.

We hope that this article has provided you with all the information you need to know about MEPCO Solar Net Metering in MEPCO. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you and help you with your net metering needs. Thank you for reading this article and have a great day! 😊