NEWS · 28 April 2026
NEPRA has abolished the licence requirement and fee for solar systems of 25 kW or less. Larger systems pay a one-time fee of Rs 1,000 per kW. The change applies retrospectively from 9 February 2026, when net billing began.
What happened
When NEPRA introduced its Prosumer Regulations in February 2026, a licence fee for solar users was part of the package. It drew strong public criticism, with critics calling it a tax on sunlight. Dawn reported on 28 April 2026 that the regulations had been amended so that distributed generation of up to 25 kW needs no licence and pays no fee.
Key points
- Up to 25 kW: no NEPRA licence, no fee.
- Above 25 kW: one-time fee of Rs 1,000 per kW. For example, a 50 kW commercial system pays Rs 50,000.
- Effective: retrospectively from 9 February 2026.
In August 2026, NEPRA went further and removed its approval step for the same systems.
What it means for you
Almost every home system in Pakistan falls under 25 kW, so the licence cost has gone for household solar. The other costs of net billing are explained in our guide to net metering costs.
Buy fewer units from the grid. Solar Net Metering designs solar systems for your own use and handles net billing across Pakistan: 10 kW net billing costs Rs 160,000 with LESCO and K-Electric, and Rs 200,000 with the other distribution companies.
اردو خلاصہ
نیپرا نے 25 کلو واٹ یا اس سے کم کے سولر سسٹم کے لیے لائسنس اور فیس ختم کر دی ہے۔ اس سے بڑے سسٹم پر ایک بار ایک ہزار روپے فی کلو واٹ فیس ادا کرنی ہو گی۔ یہ تبدیلی 9 فروری 2026 سے مؤثر ہے، جب نیٹ بلنگ شروع ہوئی تھی۔ گھریلو سسٹم کی بڑی اکثریت 25 کلو واٹ سے کم ہوتی ہے، اس لیے گھروں کے لیے یہ فیس ختم ہو گئی ہے۔