Calculate how much you earn by exporting surplus solar electricity to the grid. State-wise feed-in tariffs, annual income, and payback improvement included.
How Net Metering Works in India
When your solar panels produce more electricity than you consume (typically midday, weekends, holidays), the surplus flows into the grid and your meter records it. At billing, units exported are deducted from units imported — you pay only the net difference.
State-Wise Feed-In Tariff / Net Metering Credit Rate
State
Credit Rate
Mechanism
Delhi
₹3.00/unit
Net Metering (banking)
Maharashtra (Mumbai)
₹3.36/unit
Net Metering
Karnataka
₹3.56/unit
Net Metering
Rajasthan
₹3.14/unit
Net Metering
Gujarat
₹2.25/unit
Net Feed-in
Tamil Nadu
₹2.25/unit
Net Metering
Telangana
₹2.65/unit
Net Metering
UP
₹2.90/unit
Net Metering
Punjab
₹3.58/unit
Net Metering
Haryana
₹3.00/unit
Net Metering
Net Metering vs Gross Metering
Net Metering — You consume what you generate first. Surplus is exported. Bill shows net import only. Best for most households.
Gross Metering — All generation is exported at the feed-in tariff. You pay full retail for all consumption. Used in some commercial/industrial schemes. Only beneficial if the feed-in tariff exceeds the retail tariff (rare in India).
When Do You Export the Most?
Surplus generation is highest on weekdays when occupants are away, midday when solar peaks, in summer months with long days, and on public holidays. Systems sized for 120–130% of consumption export the most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Net metering lets rooftop solar owners export surplus electricity to the grid and receive bill credits or payment. Exported units reduce what you owe the DISCOM. Most Indian states allow net metering for systems up to 500 kW, though residential systems are typically capped at the connected load.
Feed-in / credit rates vary by state: Karnataka ₹3.56, Punjab ₹3.58, Maharashtra ₹3.36, Rajasthan ₹3.14, Delhi ₹3.00, Haryana ₹3.00, Telangana ₹2.65, UP ₹2.90, Gujarat ₹2.25, Tamil Nadu ₹2.25. These rates are periodically revised by state electricity regulatory commissions.
Yes, in most states surplus credits are carried forward month to month. At the end of the year (usually March 31), any remaining credit balance is paid out by the DISCOM at the feed-in tariff rate, or carried into the next year. Rules vary by state — check your DISCOM's net metering policy.
Apply to your local DISCOM through their net metering portal or office. Process: submit application with solar installer details → DISCOM technical inspection → approval → installation → bidirectional meter installation by DISCOM → commissioning. The entire process typically takes 30–90 days. The National Portal for Rooftop Solar (solarrooftop.gov.in) can also be used.