Ever wondered how to set up net metering in India? Meet Raj and Meera Singh, a Delhi couple whose electricity bills used to spike above ₹8,000 every summer. Last year they installed rooftop panels, but without a proper solar meter connection, every extra kilowatt simply went to waste. Then they applied for a solar net meter connection, and overnight their panels began feeding surplus power back to the grid, leading to their meter earning them credits, and thus reducing their electricity bills. And now, during the sweltering summer season, their house runs on clean solar power while the grid steps in only when needed. It’s like having your own powerhouse that automatically balances energy usage.

Ready to find out how a small step like submitting a solar net meter application can open the door to long-term energy independence? Keep reading and you’ll pick up the checklist, and the cost cues that turn net meter installation into the smartest, and planet-friendly upgrade your solar rooftop can get. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to check solar meter reading, set up net metering in India, and watch your power bills fall while the sun keeps rising. 

Raj and Meera’s experience is echoed across urban India. During May and June, residential neighborhoods in Pune, Lucknow and Ahmedabad see electricity demand jump by 30 to 40 percent. The spike leads to voltage dips, longer billing cycles and a surge in AC usage that still fails to beat the indoor heat; evidence that rooftops are radiating more warmth than appliances can comfortably erase. Net metering turns that excess sunshine from a liability into a credit-earning asset.

A solar net meter connection is a bi-directional metering setup, that links your rooftop PV system to the utility grid and tracks electricity flowing in both directions. Net metering uses this single meter to record power imported from and exported to the grid. At the end of each billing cycle, exported units are subtracted from imported ones, so you pay only for the net balance.

Surplus units become credits that roll over month to month and are settled annually under state rules. India’s Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules allow net metering for rooftop systems up to 500 kW or the sanctioned load, making it ideal for homes and small businesses. Acting like a virtual battery, net metering cuts bills and accelerates rooftop-solar adoption across the country.

Before applying for a solar net meter connection, it’s important to be prepared. Ensure you meet all requirements and have the necessary documents in place. Here is a comprehensive pre-installation checklist for setting up net metering in India:

Eligibility and capacity limits

Check that your rooftop solar capacity meets DISCOM net metering limits. Most states allow residential systems up to 100% of sanctioned load and commercial up to 80%. For instance, a 5-kW sanctioned load enables a 5-kW residential installation. Check your state’s policy or ask your DISCOM for the sanctioned load vs. solar capacity rules. Also verify connection type: small systems (up to ~5 kW) can use single-phase; larger installations often require a three-phase connection.

Roof ownership or permission

To apply for net metering, you must own the property or have legal permission to install panels. Tenants need a notarized No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner or housing society, confirming consent for the rooftop solar system and net meter. Many DISCOMs require the NOC on stamped paper. Proof of property rights or tenancy is essential when submitting your application for net metering.

Latest electricity bill and consumer details

Keep a copy of your most recently paid electricity bill. This is used to verify your Consumer Account Number (CA No.) and connection details in the net metering application. The bill also proves that you are a customer of DISCOM and shows your sanctioned load. Ensure that the name and address on the electricity bill match your property documents or occupancy proof, as consistency is required

Identity and address proof

Submit a net-metering application with fee to your DISCOM (online or office). Include self-attested photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, DL or voter ID, etc) plus latest electricity bill; tenants require a notarized NOC. Businesses include an authorization letter and registration docs. For MNRE subsidy, provide bank details, cancelled cheque and ALMM-approved panels. After DISCOM inspection and signing, the bi-directional meter is installed to start net metering.

Undertaking or declaration

Some DISCOMs require a signed undertaking by the consumer declaring the intent to install solar and comply with net metering regulations. This may need to be on a non-judicial stamp paper and notarized. Check the application form instructions – for example, Delhi DISCOMs provide a format for an undertaking (often to indemnify the DISCOM and commit to safety compliance).

Technical specifications and equipment

Your solar panels and inverters must meet BIS and CEA technical standards—grid-tie inverters require anti-islanding protection and MNRE- or IEC-certification. DISCOMs inspect all components before commissioning, so confirm with your installer that every part is approved. Additionally, some states mandate a separate solar generation meter alongside the bi-directional net meter to record total output. Ensure full compliance to avoid delays in net-metering registration.

Vendor selection

Choose a reputable, empaneled solar installer early to guide your net metering application, secure DISCOM approvals, and manage MNRE subsidy claims. A qualified vendor will perform a site assessment, provide multiple quotes, and advise on optimal and cost-effective system capacity, layout, and equipment. Plan for necessary preparations such as reinforcing your roof, ensuring structural safety, and clearing obstacles to guarantee a smooth, efficient, compliant panel installation and timely commissioning.

Initial application form preparation

Download the solar net metering application form from your DISCOM’s website (or the National Portal) if available. Fill out the necessary details like consumer number, proposed solar capacity, inverter details, etc. This form (often called Application for Connectivity of Renewable Energy System) will be formally submitted to start the process. Having it filled and keeping all supporting documents (as above) ready will make the application smoother.

By checking off these items, you’ll be well-prepared for the net metering application. Proper documentation and compliance with technical standards ensure that your solar net metering application proceeds without hiccups. 

Once you’ve done the preliminary homework, setting up net metering involves interacting with the DISCOM for approvals and getting the new meter installed. While the exact procedure can vary slightly by state or utility, the overall process is quite similar across India. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to set up net metering for your solar system:

1. Submit a net metering application to your DISCOM

Step one, file a rooftop solar net metering request with your local DISCOM. Download the application form from its website or collect it at the office, then fill in your consumer ID, installation address, and the capacity of the system you plan to install. Attach proof of ownership (or a notarised NOC if the property isn’t in your name), a photo ID, and your latest electricity bill, and pay the processing fee. After the submission online, by email, or at the DISCOM office. You’ll soon get an acknowledgement or reference number so you can track your application.

2. Pay applicable fees and charges

Your DISCOM may charge an application or registration fee for net metering. For example - Delhi levies ₹500, while some states charge about ₹2,500 for LT connections. Pay it at the time of application and keep the receipt. If the DISCOM adds more charges later, they’ll send a demand note; clear it quickly to avoid delays. Applying through the MNRE portal is free, but the regular DISCOM fee still applies.

3. DISCOM site inspection and feasibility check

Once your application is in, the DISCOM lines up a site visit, usually within a couple of days, to assess rooftop solar feasibility. An engineer inspects your electrical connection, meter location and proposed setup, verifies transformer capacity against your sanctioned load and notes space or shading issues. If all criteria are met, the DISCOM issues a feasibility approval called Technical Approval via letter or email, confirming your sanctioned solar capacity and installation permission.

4. Execute net metering agreement

Once you get the green light, sign and submit the Net Metering Agreement, your contract with the DISCOM outlining terms such as safety, billing, and access. The DISCOM provides the agreement format, usually on stamp paper. Sign it within the given time frame and return it to the DISCOM office. Read the standard clauses carefully, as they cover system operation, meter access, and mutual responsibilities.

5. Install the solar PV system

Once your net metering application is approved, engage your chosen solar vendor to mount the approved panels, inverters and accessories according to the approved capacity and electrical standards. Installation can begin before metering, but do not connect to the grid until the bi-directional meter is commissioned. After fitting, run performance tests while keeping the system offline. Larger installations (e.g., above 10–50 kW) may require CEIG inspection before commissioning, but most residential systems only need DISCOM approval and inspection.

6. Submit installation and compliance documents

Once the solar panels are installed, let your DISCOM know so they can schedule the final check and install the net meter. Send them a completion report that includes the electrical test results, the vendor’s commissioning certificate, setup photos, and any safety papers for the inverter and panels. The installer and consumer jointly sign a work completion report. Provide all DISCOM-required documents and clear any pending costs, like the meter or equipment costs, to keep things moving smoothly.

7. DISCOM final Inspection and net meter installation

The DISCOM conducts a final inspection to confirm that your solar installation matches approved specifications and safety standards. If compliant, they install or replace your meter with a bi-directional net meter, which records import and export of energy to the grid. In some cases, this is added alongside an import/export meter. The officials then synchronize your system with the grid, seal the meters, and hand you a commissioning report. From that moment, any extra solar energy flows into the grid and starts earning you credits.

8. Net metering monitoring

Once the net meter is installed and commissioned, your solar net metering system goes live and your next electricity bill will detail grid imports, solar exports and the net units billed. Any extra units you export roll over as units or money credits, as per your state’s rules. Keep an eye on the import and export numbers on the meter display and make sure the DISCOM’s reading, whether taken on-site or pulled remotely, matches your every billing cycle.

This step-by-step process is typical for most regions in India. Always refer to your local DISCOM’s guidelines for any minor variations. Overall, the journey involves an application, an approval, an agreement, installation, and a commissioning, after which you can reap the benefits of solar net metering for many to come.

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Installing a solar net meter involves several mandatory charges that vary by DISCOM, including application fees, meter deposits, testing, and security amounts, so here is a breakdown of the costs:

1. The application fee for net metering ranges from ₹500 to ₹2,500; applications through the MNRE portal avoid the registration fee but remain subject to any DISCOM charges.

2. DISCOMs supply the bi-directional net meter at a cost or refundable deposit of ₹800 to ₹1,500 for single-phase and ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 for three-phase systems, with smart meters sometimes provided at no cost.

3. When levied, testing and commissioning fees usually range from ₹100 to ₹500, and some DISCOMs require a refundable security deposit equal to the meter cost.

4. Commercial and high-tension consumers face higher charges, such as a ₹15,000 application fee in some states, while residential and low-tension users generally incur total net-metering fees of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000.

5. These charges cover only grid integration; costs for solar panels, inverters and installation are separate, and MNRE capital subsidies apply solely to system equipment.

1. It is advisable to consult your DISCOM’s latest fee schedule before applying to verify exact rates and requirements.

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Boost your savings with solar panel incentives by the Indian government

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana helps Indian households easily switch to solar energy by providing substantial financial support. Families can avail subsidies of up to 60% on solar installations up to 2 kW and 40% for systems ranging between 2 and 3 kW, with an overall subsidy limit set at 3 kW per home. Under this subsidy, eligible families can install rooftop solar panels at zero upfront cost. It aims to substantially help save about ₹15,000 per year for those with monthly consumption up to 300 units. 

For further information and applications, visit the official government portal.

Net metering in India flips the script on electricity bills by letting your roof earn its keep. Start with a quick solar net metering application, get your solar net meter installation approved, and your new solar meter connection begins tallying the power you share with the grid. A glance at the display is all it takes to learn how to check solar meter reading and watch credits stack up. In one move, you trim costs, cut carbon, and join the growing league of homes and businesses shaping a cleaner energy future. Sunlight never felt so rewarding. 
 

Contact Tata Power today and make the smart switch to solar!