Solar Owners Save Rs. 90,000 Monthly

Rooftop solar is emerging as a financially attractive option for Pakistani households as high electricity tariffs push consumers toward net metering and off-grid systems, with a typical 10-kilowatt system estimated to recover its upfront cost within 2.5 to 4 years.

A 10kW rooftop solar system can generate around 1,200 to 1,500 units of electricity per month, depending on location and seasonal conditions, according to a study. This can significantly reduce a household’s dependence on the national grid.

Consumers paying electricity tariffs of around Rs. 45 to Rs. 60 per unit could save an estimated Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 90,000 per month through solar power used for their own consumption. Additional savings can come from electricity exported to the grid under net metering.

In one example, a household consuming around 1,200 units a month and generating 1,400 units through a 10kW system could export around 400 units to the grid. The combined monthly benefit from electricity savings and export credits could reach around Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 60,000.

The upfront cost of a 10kW system currently ranges from Rs. 1.5 million to Rs. 2.2 million, depending on equipment quality and installation standards. Over a 20 to 25 year lifespan, consumers could save an estimated Rs. 15 million to Rs. 25 million, according to industry estimates.

Pakistan’s solar net metering capacity has expanded sharply, reaching around 7,000 MW by June 2026, nearly 37 times its level six years earlier. The rapid growth has prompted the government to shift its policy focus from net metering toward net billing because of financial and technical pressures on the national grid.

Under net metering, consumers use the electricity generated by their solar systems and send surplus power to the grid in exchange for credits that are adjusted against their electricity bills. However, future returns could be affected by changes in net metering rules and electricity purchase rates set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority and the Power Division.

Solar and off-grid systems now account for around 20,000 MW of generation capacity, creating a daytime “duck curve” that can put additional pressure on the power system, particularly during winter when electricity demand patterns change.

The growth in solar adoption has been driven by a combination of higher electricity prices and falling solar equipment costs. The rupee depreciated by around 75 percent, electricity tariffs increased by nearly 140 percent and solar panel import prices fell by approximately 60 percent between FY2021 and FY2025.

The market is also shifting toward larger battery systems, with 14 to 16 kWh units gaining popularity as consumers seek greater self-consumption and protection from power outages and future tariff increases.

The government is encouraging battery energy storage systems to reduce pressure on the national grid, particularly during winter months.

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