Pakistan

NEPRA license made mandatory for solar installations under new amendments

Published by

Abdul khalique

3 months ago

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) license has been made mandatory for all consumers installing solar power systems under new amendments introduced by the Power Division of Pakistan.

According to details, consumers will now be required to obtain a formal license to generate electricity based on their system capacity. In addition to the licensing fee, applicants will also need to submit a pay order in favour of NEPRA.

Sources said the revised policy introduces an additional charge of Rs 1,000 per kilowatt (kW) for solar installations. Previously, consumers installing systems up to 25kW were issued licenses free of cost.

Under the new framework, consumers may also be provided connections under a net billing mechanism, replacing or modifying earlier arrangements.

Officials say the changes aim to regulate the growing solar sector more effectively, though the move is expected to increase upfront costs for consumers.

5kW solar setup offered with affordable 3-year installments

Meezan Bank provides complete home solar panel system financing, which includes multiple payment options for customers.

The bank establishes distinct eligibility criteria while developing two different financing options, which are available to both salaried employees and business proprietors.

Meezan Bank Solar System 3-Year Installment Plan

A complete solar system package for salaried individuals costs Rs500000. Salaried individuals can access a solar panel payment plan, which includes a total quotation amount of Rs500000.

The scheme requires an upfront down payment of 25% or Rs125000, while the remaining cost is payable over a three-year tenure through monthly installments.

Repayments will start in May 2026, according to the initial schedule, which shows that the first monthly payment amount will be Rs 14898 and the second payment will be Rs 14919 in June 2026.

The monthly installment amounts experience minor changes throughout the upcoming months, which will result in payments of Rs 14649 for July, Rs 14662 for August, and Rs 14533 for September 2026.

The monthly payment amounts show a consistent decline, which starts in late 2026 and continues through 2027 because the payments will decrease from Rs 14276 in October and November 2026 to Rs 12533 by December 2027.

The schedule shows small payment changes that take place each month, while payments increase at a steady pace throughout the duration of time.

The year 2028 will start with monthly payments that begin at Rs 12475 in January and will decrease to Rs 11039 by December 2028. The final year of the plan shows a continuation of the downward trend that started in previous years.

The monthly payments for 2029 will reach a new low, which begins with a January payment of Rs 10931 and ends with an April 2029 payment of Rs 10545, which represents the final installment according to the established schedule.

Due to rising temperatures and heatwave warnings for the next few days, a number of people are considering using solar energy to avoid the adverse effects of the harsh weather.

However, many middle- and lower-middle-class families who do not have adequate funds have now started to opt for Shariah-compliant installments to get solar energy plants installed as an attempt to find cheaper ways to deal with electricity expenses and power cuts.

Abdul khalique