ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has changed rules for all solar prosumers in Pakistan, switching from net-metering to net-billing to manage the rising solar energy load. The new rules, announced on Monday, cut the buyback rate for future solar power producers from Rs26 to Rs10-11 per unit. Current seven-year contracts remain valid but shift immediately to net-billing with export credits limited to one month instead of three. New prosumers get five-year contracts only, with their exported power credited at Rs11 per unit. Meanwhile, electricity imported from distribution companies (Discos) will be billed separately at Rs37-55 per unit, depending on usage slab, excluding taxes and surcharges. This ends the previous unit-for-unit exchange system. Discos will bill consumers after counting electricity produced and consumed under the new net-billing system. If the amount owed to a prosumer exceeds their import charges, the excess will be credited to their next bill or paid quarterly. However, payment practices by Discos remain uncertain. Prosumers can no longer install solar systems beyond half their original sanctioned load. After their current seven-year contract expires, existing prosumers can request a five-year extension if Discos allow it. The rules apply to solar systems from 1kW to 1MW, areas under Nepra’s direct control. Also, Discos cannot approve new solar connections if the total solar capacity on a transformer hits 80% of its limit to avoid grid problems. Nepra aims to stabilize the power system amid growing solar use but critics note the sudden changes and lower buyback rates may affect solar investors. The changes were introduced despite Nepra blaming high taxes and surcharges, plus costly power supplies, for pushing consumers to solar and off-grid power solutions. The new regulations emphasize clearer procedures and stronger technical standards to integrate solar power into the national grid.