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SOLAR BILLING · PLAIN-LANGUAGE GUIDE

Net metering explained: where every unit of solar electricity goes

Understand self-consumption, import, export, the bidirectional meter and why an on-grid solar plant stops during a power cut.

Updated By · Corporate solar guidance

Net metering is an accounting arrangement—not a battery. Your premises use solar electricity first when it is available. If demand is higher than solar generation, the grid supplies the balance. If generation is higher, eligible surplus passes through a bidirectional meter to the grid and is accounted for under the applicable state and DISCOM rules.

Solar serves live loads firstThe grid fills any shortfallEligible surplus can be exportedBilling rules differ by state, DISCOM and consumer category
Indian home with rooftop solar connected to the electricity network

SEE HOW IT WORKS

The concept, made visible.

01

Three situations happen through the day

In the morning or evening, solar may be lower than your load, so the premises imports the balance. Around a sunny low-load period, generation may exceed consumption and surplus can flow out. At other times, solar and demand may be close. The bidirectional meter records import and export separately; it does not physically store electricity for night use.

02

Your bill may not become zero

Solar usually offsets energy charges associated with eligible units, but fixed charges, demand charges, duties, minimum charges or other billing components can remain. Export credit, carry-forward, settlement period and treatment of surplus are governed by the applicable regulation and utility procedure—not by a universal national promise.

03

Why on-grid solar stops in a power cut

A standard grid-connected inverter uses anti-islanding protection. When grid supply fails, it disconnects so that solar cannot energise a line that utility personnel may assume is dead. Backup requires a separately designed hybrid or off-grid arrangement with a suitable inverter, battery, isolation and an identified essential-load panel.

04

What to confirm before signing

Ask for answers tied to your electricity bill and connection.

  • Correct DISCOM or electricity licensee and consumer category.
  • Sanctioned load or contract demand and the permitted solar capacity.
  • Applicable net, gross, virtual or group-net-metering route.
  • Feasibility approval, meter responsibility, testing and commissioning steps.
  • How imported and exported units are valued, carried forward and settled.
  • Whether fixed or demand charges continue and how phase requirements apply.
05

The usual project journey

A sound sequence is bill review → roof and shadow survey → capacity proposal → utility application and feasibility → engineering and installation → protection testing → bidirectional-meter installation → commissioning and monitoring. Do not treat the meter as a final afterthought; the approval path shapes the project design.

REF

Official references

Regulations, eligibility and utility procedures can change. Verify the current rule and site-specific approval before investment.