The Power Division's Net Metering Guideline 2025, prepared by SREDA, replaces the 2018 guideline. If you are planning rooftop solar for a factory, commercial building or home, it decides how big your system can be, how exported units are credited, and how third-party (OpEx) systems work. Here are the points that matter most.
1. How big can your system be?
The guideline measures system capacity as the inverter AC output, not the DC rating of the panels. Two limits apply:
- The AC capacity must not exceed your sanctioned load.
- For medium, high and extra-high tension customers (MT, HT, EHT), it must also stay within 80% of your transformer's rated capacity — or of the combined capacity of transformers running in parallel.
A system larger than your contracted load needs a separate application, which the utility can refer to a grid stability committee before a decision is made.
In practice: check your sanctioned load and transformer rating before you size anything. For many factories the roof, not the load, ends up being the real limit.
2. How exported units are credited
When your solar produces more than you use, the surplus flows to the grid and is recorded by the net meter. For time-of-use customers, exported units first offset your off-peak consumption and then your peak consumption in the same billing period.
If you are still a net exporter for the month, the leftover units carry forward within a quarterly settlement period (periods end in March, June, September and December). Ten percent of net exported electricity is kept as a distribution system maintenance charge, so 90% becomes credit. Credit still unused at the end of the quarter is paid to you at the BERC bulk (wholesale) rate — by bank transfer, mobile banking or cheque.
Two things are easy to miss:
- Demand charges, meter rent and other fixed charges remain payable even if your energy charge falls to zero.
- The bulk rate is well below the retail rate, so a unit you use yourself is worth more than a unit you export. Good design aims for self-consumption first.
3. OpEx systems are formally recognised
The guideline sets out how a third-party investor can own a system on your roof — what we call the OpEx model:
- The customer pays the investor for all electricity the system generates, measured on a dedicated solar (RE) accounting meter.
- The customer and investor sign a bilateral OpEx agreement before applying to the utility; the final agreement is tripartite between customer, utility and investor.
- Any settlement payment for surplus units goes to the customer; how it is shared with the investor is set by the OpEx agreement.
- If the customer fails to pay the investor for two consecutive months, the investor can take the matter to the utility.
The guideline notes that the OpEx tariff is generally lower than the utility's retail tariff, and that the customer carries no financial or operational risk for the plant.
4. Equipment, metering and timelines
- Modules, inverters and net meters must be SREDA-cleared models.
- A solar (RE) accounting meter is mandatory for both CapEx and OpEx systems.
- Applications are made online through the Power Division's net metering portal.
- The utility should evaluate the application and issue a permission letter within 10 working days.
- Installation must be completed within 8 months of the permission letter.
5. If you run diesel generators
Where non-renewable generation is synchronised on site, only solar energy counts towards net metering: export recorded above the solar meter's flow in any 15-minute interval is not credited, and both meters must keep 15-minute data. A properly configured DG-PV control system keeps your plant on the right side of this rule.
What this means for you
- Size the system to your sanctioned load, transformer and roof — whichever is smallest.
- Design for self-consumption; treat export as a bonus, not the business case.
- If you prefer not to invest, OpEx now has a clear regulatory footing.
We handle the application, SREDA-cleared equipment, metering and utility follow-up for our clients. Talk to us about your site.
This article is a plain-language summary for general information, not legal advice. The official Net Metering Guideline 2025 and any later amendments or BERC orders prevail.