When on-grid still makes sense in 2026
After the February 2026 net billing change, on-grid lost some of its earlier shine. The export rate dropped from PKR 25 to about PKR 8-11 per unit. But the system itself still pays for itself faster than hybrid — there is no battery cost. For buildings where 80 percent of the consumption happens between 9am and 5pm, on-grid is still the rational pick.
Good fits: corporate offices, retail shops, light-manufacturing units, schools, clinics, mosques. Bad fits: residential homes where most usage is evening and night, or anywhere that suffers regular load-shedding (since on-grid stops working the moment the grid trips).
What gets installed
- Tier-1 panels (Jinko, Longi, Canadian) — typically 585 W modules.
- On-grid string inverter (Inverex, Solis, Growatt, Huawei).
- Galvanized rooftop structure rated for Lahore wind loads.
- AC and DC protection, earthing and a small distribution panel.
- WiFi monitoring.
- Net billing application, drawings and bi-directional meter (if requested).
Prices for 2026
| System size | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| 5 kW on-grid | PKR 450,000 – 600,000 |
| 10 kW on-grid | PKR 850,000 – 1,150,000 |
| 15 kW on-grid | PKR 1,250,000 – 1,650,000 |
| 25 kW on-grid | PKR 2,100,000 – 2,750,000 |
| 50 kW on-grid (commercial) | PKR 4,000,000 – 5,300,000 |
Net billing meter adds about PKR 46,000.
Not sure if on-grid or hybrid?
A 10-minute conversation usually clears it up. Send the bill on WhatsApp.
Ask on WhatsAppLimitations to know about
The biggest one: on-grid stops producing the moment the grid goes down, even on a sunny afternoon. This is required by anti-islanding standards (so a tripped line cannot energize lineworkers). If load-shedding is a regular issue at the site, plan for hybrid or at least a small battery later.
The second one: export now pays much less than self-consumption saves. A unit consumed instantly is worth your retail tariff (often PKR 50+). A unit exported is worth PKR 8-11. Right-sizing matters more than ever — oversized arrays just dump cheap energy to the grid.
Process and timeline
Site survey, BoQ, structure, panels, inverter, AC tie-in. Typical 5-10 kW residential or commercial install: two to three working days. Net billing application runs in parallel and takes four to eight weeks from submission.