In short: a hybrid solar system combines solar panels, a hybrid inverter, batteries and your LESCO grid connection. It powers your home from the sun during the day and stores surplus power in batteries for the evening and for load shedding.
Under net billing, exported units are credited at a much lower rate than the tariff you pay for imported units. That makes a battery more useful than before: a unit you store and use in the evening saves your full tariff, while the same unit exported earns far less.
Last updated: 14 September 2026.
What is a hybrid solar system?
A hybrid system has four main parts:
- Solar panels that turn sunlight into electricity.
- A hybrid inverter that manages power between the panels, batteries, your home and the grid.
- A battery bank, usually lithium (LiFePO4) in new installations, that stores surplus power.
- The grid connection, with a bidirectional meter if you are on net billing.
Through the day, the inverter supplies your home from solar first, charges the batteries with surplus, and sends any remaining surplus to the grid. After sunset, or during load shedding, the batteries take over.
On-grid vs hybrid vs off-grid
| On-grid | Hybrid | Off-grid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batteries | No | Yes | Yes |
| Connected to LESCO | Yes | Yes | No |
| Works in load shedding | No, switches off for safety | Yes, from batteries | Yes, from batteries |
| Net billing | Yes | Yes | No |
| Evening use from solar | No | Yes, stored power | Yes, stored power |
| Best for | Homes and offices that use most power in daylight | Homes with evening use or frequent load shedding | Places without a grid connection |
Why net billing changes the case for batteries
Under the old net metering rules, a unit you exported cancelled a unit you imported, one for one. The grid acted like a free battery, so real batteries were mainly bought for backup.
Since February 2026, new connections are on net billing. Imported units are billed at your applicable tariff, which Dawn reported at about Rs 37 to Rs 55 per unit before taxes. Exported units are credited at NEPRA’s national average energy purchase price, reported at roughly Rs 8 to Rs 11 per unit when the rules started. So storing a midday unit and using it at 8 pm is worth several times more than exporting it.
A simple illustration, using an export rate of Rs 10 and a tariff of Rs 50 per unit: 8 surplus midday units exported earn a credit of about Rs 80. The same 8 units stored and used in the evening avoid importing 8 units, saving about Rs 400. Real rates depend on your tariff, slab and taxes. For how the rules work, see our complete guide to net billing in Pakistan.
Is a hybrid system worth it in Lahore?
A hybrid system usually makes sense if:
- Your family uses a lot of electricity after sunset: ACs in the evening, lights, water dispensers.
- Your area has regular load shedding or voltage problems and you already use a UPS or generator.
- You work or study from home and need reliable backup.
On-grid may be enough if:
- Most of your use is in daylight hours, such as offices, shops, schools or homes that run pumps and appliances during the day.
- Your supply is reliable and you do not need backup.
Sizing the battery
Start with how many units you use between sunset and sunrise, and how long your typical load shedding lasts. A battery with around 10 kWh of usable capacity, for example, can supply about 10 units before recharging. Lithium batteries can usually be discharged more deeply and last more cycles than lead-acid batteries, which is why most new hybrid systems use them.
Your solar panels also need enough capacity to run the house in daytime and charge the batteries. For expected production in Lahore, see our 10 kW solar system production guide.
Hybrid systems and net billing rules
- A hybrid system can be on net billing. It connects through a bidirectional meter like an on-grid system.
- Grid-connected inverters must meet the UL 1741 standard under NEPRA’s 2026 regulations.
- The system capacity cannot exceed your sanctioned load, and you need a three-phase connection. See how to check and increase sanctioned load with LESCO.
- If you already have a net metering agreement, adding panels or a bigger inverter can count as a “material modification” and end your protected net metering terms. Get advice before upgrading.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hybrid solar system?
It is a solar system with a hybrid inverter and batteries that stays connected to the grid. It uses solar first, stores surplus in batteries, and draws from the grid only when needed.
Does a hybrid solar system work during load shedding?
Yes. When LESCO supply goes off, the hybrid inverter runs your connected loads from the batteries and from the panels during daylight.
Can I get net billing with a hybrid system in Lahore?
Yes, as long as you meet the net billing rules: a three-phase connection, a system no bigger than your sanctioned load, and a compliant inverter.
Is a battery worth it under net billing?
For homes that use a lot of power in the evening, often yes. A stored unit used later saves your full tariff, while an exported unit earns the much lower net billing rate.
Which battery is best for a hybrid system?
Most new systems use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries because they typically last more cycles and allow deeper discharge than lead-acid batteries.
اردو خلاصہ
ہائبرڈ سولر سسٹم میں سولر پینلز، ہائبرڈ انورٹر، بیٹریاں اور لیسکو کا گرڈ کنکشن ہوتا ہے۔ یہ دن میں گھر کو سولر سے چلاتا ہے، اضافی بجلی بیٹریوں میں محفوظ کرتا ہے، اور شام یا لوڈشیڈنگ میں بیٹریوں سے بجلی دیتا ہے۔ نیٹ بلنگ میں گرڈ کو دیا گیا یونٹ تقریباً 8 سے 11 روپے میں کریڈٹ ہوتا ہے جبکہ گرڈ سے لیا گیا یونٹ پورے ٹیرف پر پڑتا ہے، اس لیے شام کو زیادہ بجلی استعمال کرنے والے گھروں کے لیے بیٹری پہلے سے زیادہ فائدہ مند ہے۔ ہائبرڈ سسٹم پر بھی نیٹ بلنگ مل سکتی ہے، بشرطیکہ تھری فیز کنکشن ہو اور سسٹم منظور شدہ لوڈ سے بڑا نہ ہو۔
On-grid or hybrid? Get advice for your home
Solar Net Metering installs on-grid and hybrid solar systems and handles net billing applications in Lahore. Net billing for a 10 kW system with LESCO costs Rs 160,000. Office: 222 Main Boulevard, DHA Phase 6, Lahore.
Sources
- NEPRA (Prosumer) Regulations 2026, S.R.O. 251(I)/2026
- Dawn, 10 February 2026: Nepra pulls the plug on net-metering
- Profit, 3 April 2026: NEPRA protects existing solar net metering users
Figures in the illustration are for explanation only; your savings depend on your tariff, slab, taxes and usage.