Net Metering in Uttar Pradesh

Last updated: 15 March 2026
Sell excess solar power to the grid and reduce your electricity bill. Complete DISCOM-wise guide covering LESA, KESCO, DVVNL, MVVNL, PuVVNL, and PVVNL.
How does net metering work in UP?
Net metering in Uttar Pradesh allows solar panel owners to export excess electricity to the grid and receive credits on their bill. All 6 UP DISCOMs (LESA, KESCO, DVVNL, MVVNL, PuVVNL, PVVNL) support net metering for systems up to 500 kW. Surplus units are settled monthly with annual true-up at APPC rate (Rs 3-4/unit). Application takes 6-10 weeks from submission to meter installation.
Source: UPERC Rooftop Solar PV Regulations | Last updated: September 2026
What is Net Metering?
Net metering is a billing arrangement regulated by UPERC (UP Electricity Regulatory Commission) that allows on-grid solar system owners to export excess electricity to the power grid and receive credits on their electricity bill. A bi-directional meter records both the power you consume from the grid (import) and the power your solar panels send back (export). Homeowners can also avail subsidies via the PM Surya Ghar portal.
Monthly Adjustment
Export units are subtracted from import units each month. You only pay for the net difference.
Carry Forward
If you export more than you import in a month, surplus credits carry forward to the next month.
Annual Settlement
At financial year-end, remaining surplus units are settled at APPC rate (Rs 3-4/unit).
DISCOM-wise Net Metering Rules
UP has 6 electricity distribution companies. All follow UPERC regulations but have different application processes and timelines.
| DISCOM | Districts | Max Capacity | Timeline | Billing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LESA Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration | Lucknow | 500 kW (residential), 1 MW (commercial) | 15-30 days for feasibility, 7-15 days for meter installation | Monthly net metering with annual true-up |
KESCO Kanpur Electricity Supply Company | Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat | 500 kW (residential), 1 MW (commercial) | 15-30 days for feasibility, 7-15 days for meter installation | Monthly net metering with annual true-up |
DVVNL Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited | Agra, Mathura, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Aligarh, Hathras | 500 kW per connection | 15-30 days for feasibility, 10-20 days for meter installation | Monthly net metering with annual true-up |
MVVNL Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited | Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, Budaun, Hardoi, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Unnao, Barabanki | 500 kW per connection | 15-30 days for feasibility, 10-20 days for meter installation | Monthly net metering with annual true-up |
PuVVNL Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited | Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, Sultanpur, Azamgarh, Ballia, Ghazipur | 500 kW per connection | 15-30 days for feasibility, 10-20 days for meter installation | Monthly net metering with annual true-up |
PVVNL Pashchimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited | Meerut, Noida, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Moradabad | 500 kW per connection | 15-30 days for feasibility, 10-20 days for meter installation | Monthly net metering with annual true-up |
* Timelines are indicative. Actual processing times may vary. As per UPERC Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems Regulations.
How to Apply for Net Metering in UP
Apply for feasibility
Submit net metering application to your local DISCOM (LESA, KESCO, MVVNL, etc.) with electricity bill copy and property documents.
Receive feasibility approval
DISCOM reviews your application and issues feasibility approval within 15-30 days. They verify transformer capacity and grid compatibility.
Install solar system
Hire an UPNEDA-registered vendor to install the rooftop solar system. Vendor handles all technical requirements and safety standards.
Apply for net meter
After installation, submit commissioning report to DISCOM for bi-directional net meter installation.
DISCOM inspection
DISCOM inspects the installation for safety and compliance. They verify system specifications match the approved capacity.
Net meter installation
DISCOM installs the bi-directional net meter within 7-15 days of successful inspection. You start earning credits for exported power.
How Net Metering Billing Works
| Month | Import (units) | Export (units) | Net Units | Bill (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April (Summer) | 450 | 380 | 70 | ~Rs 490 |
| July (Monsoon) | 400 | 280 | 120 | ~Rs 840 |
| October (Winter) | 300 | 350 | -50 | Rs 0 (50 units carried) |
| January (Peak Winter) | 250 | 300 | -50 | Rs 0 (50 units carried) |
* Fixed charges and demand charges apply separately. Values are illustrative based on average 3kW system generation and typical residential consumption in Lucknow.
Documents Required for Net Metering
- Recent electricity bill (within 3 months)
- Aadhaar card of connection holder
- Property ownership proof / registry
- Rooftop photograph with clear sky view
- Solar system commissioning certificate
- Single line diagram of installation
- Inverter and module test certificates
- UPNEDA inspection report
UP DISCOM Electricity Tariffs (Domestic)
Know your current electricity rate to calculate net metering savings. Below are slab-wise domestic (LMV-1) tariff rates for all 6 UP DISCOMs.
Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration
| Slab (units) | Rate (Rs/unit) | Fixed (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-100 | Rs 3.5 | Rs 80 |
| 101-150 | Rs 4.0 | Rs 100 |
| 151-300 | Rs 5.5 | Rs 125 |
| 301-500 | Rs 6.5 | Rs 150 |
| 501-500+ | Rs 7.0 | Rs 175 |
Districts: Lucknow
Kanpur Electricity Supply Company
| Slab (units) | Rate (Rs/unit) | Fixed (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-100 | Rs 3.5 | Rs 80 |
| 101-150 | Rs 4.0 | Rs 100 |
| 151-300 | Rs 5.5 | Rs 125 |
| 301-500 | Rs 6.5 | Rs 150 |
| 501-500+ | Rs 7.0 | Rs 175 |
Districts: Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat
Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd
| Slab (units) | Rate (Rs/unit) | Fixed (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-100 | Rs 3.5 | Rs 70 |
| 101-150 | Rs 4.0 | Rs 90 |
| 151-300 | Rs 5.0 | Rs 110 |
| 301-500 | Rs 6.0 | Rs 140 |
| 501-500+ | Rs 6.5 | Rs 165 |
Districts: Agra, Mathura, Aligarh +7 more
Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd
| Slab (units) | Rate (Rs/unit) | Fixed (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-100 | Rs 3.5 | Rs 70 |
| 101-150 | Rs 4.0 | Rs 90 |
| 151-300 | Rs 5.0 | Rs 110 |
| 301-500 | Rs 6.0 | Rs 140 |
| 501-500+ | Rs 6.5 | Rs 165 |
Districts: Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur +4 more
Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd
| Slab (units) | Rate (Rs/unit) | Fixed (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-100 | Rs 3.5 | Rs 70 |
| 101-150 | Rs 4.0 | Rs 90 |
| 151-300 | Rs 5.0 | Rs 110 |
| 301-500 | Rs 6.0 | Rs 140 |
| 501-500+ | Rs 6.5 | Rs 165 |
Districts: Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Allahabad (Prayagraj) +4 more
Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd
| Slab (units) | Rate (Rs/unit) | Fixed (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-100 | Rs 3.5 | Rs 80 |
| 101-150 | Rs 4.0 | Rs 100 |
| 151-300 | Rs 5.5 | Rs 125 |
| 301-500 | Rs 6.5 | Rs 150 |
| 501-500+ | Rs 7.0 | Rs 175 |
Districts: Meerut, Ghaziabad, Noida +4 more
Source: UPERC Tariff Orders for FY 2025-26. Effective from 2025-04-01. Last verified: 2026-02-15. Rates are approximate and subject to revision by UPERC. Actual bills may include additional surcharges, taxes, and adjustments.
Net Metering FAQs
Common questions about net metering in Uttar Pradesh
Net metering allows you to export excess solar power to the electricity grid and receive credits on your bill. A bi-directional meter records both import (from grid) and export (to grid) units. Your monthly bill is calculated as Import - Export units. In UP, surplus units are carried forward monthly and settled annually at APPC rate.
All six UP DISCOMs support net metering: LESA (Lucknow), KESCO (Kanpur), DVVNL (Agra region), MVVNL (Bareilly/central UP), PuVVNL (Varanasi/eastern UP), and PVVNL (Meerut/western UP). Net metering is available for residential systems up to 500 kW as per UPERC regulations.
The typical timeline is: Feasibility approval (15-30 days) + Installation (7-15 days) + DISCOM inspection (7-15 days) + Meter installation (7-15 days). Total: approximately 6-10 weeks from application to net meter activation.
Surplus units not consumed within the financial year are settled at the APPC (Average Pooled Power Purchase Cost) rate, typically Rs 3-4/unit. This means you get the most value by self-consuming solar power during daytime rather than exporting.
You need: Recent electricity bill, Aadhaar card, property ownership proof, rooftop photographs, solar system commissioning certificate from vendor, and bank details for subsidy (if applicable). Your UPNEDA-registered vendor handles most paperwork.
Yes, net metering is available for all consumer categories in UP — residential (up to 500 kW), commercial, and industrial. For systems above 500 kW, gross metering may apply. Commercial consumers benefit more due to higher electricity tariffs.
Yes, fixed charges and demand charges are billed separately regardless of net metering. Net metering only adjusts the energy (variable) charges based on import-export difference. However, your overall bill still drops significantly.
Yes, as an UPNEDA-registered vendor, BL Solar Solutions handles the complete net metering process — from DISCOM application to feasibility approval to meter installation. We work with all 6 UP DISCOMs across 12 districts.
Still have questions?
Our solar experts are here to help you make an informed decision
Helpful Resources
On-Grid Solar Systems
Net metering eligible on-grid solar packages with pricing
Solar Policy Database
All UP solar policies, subsidies, and tax benefits in one place
Solar Panel Price UP
Complete pricing for 1kW to 10kW systems with subsidy breakdown
Solar Glossary
DCR vs Non-DCR, DISCOM, panel types & 35 solar terms
We Handle Your Net Metering Application
From DISCOM application to meter installation — BL Solar Solutions manages the complete process as an UPNEDA registered vendor.