Getting a solar system approved by LESCO is a paperwork exercise, not a technical one, and most delays come from documents that do not match the installed equipment. This is the full process as SNM Solutions files it, including what it costs, how long it really takes, and the three reasons applications get rejected.
Before you install anything: three checks
These decide whether your application can succeed at all, and all three are far cheaper to check now than after the panels are on the roof.
- Your sanctioned load. Since 2026 your system cannot exceed the sanctioned load printed on your LESCO bill. If your bill says 5 kW, a 10 kW system will not be approved unless you first apply to raise the load.
- Your transformer’s saturation. LESCO will not accept new applications where the local distribution transformer has already reached 80 percent distributed generation. In high-uptake parts of DHA, Bahria Town and Johar Town this is a genuine risk, so ask LESCO to check your specific transformer.
- Your connection type. Confirm with LESCO what your connection supports before finalising a system size, and whether an upgrade is needed. An upgrade is a separate LESCO application with its own cost and timeline.
The documents LESCO asks for
- CNIC of the applicant
- A recent LESCO bill
- Proof of ownership, or a tenancy agreement with the owner’s consent
- Single-line diagram of the installation
- Inverter datasheet, including its anti-islanding certification
- Panel datasheet
- Load calculation
- Details of the installer
The technical documents must describe the equipment actually installed. A datasheet for a different inverter model than the one on your wall is the single most common cause of resubmission.
The steps, in order
- Size and survey. The system is sized to your daytime consumption and checked against your sanctioned load.
- Install and commission. Two to four days for most homes.
- File the application with the complete document set at your LESCO sub-division.
- Pay the fees. A NEPRA processing fee of about Rs 1,000 per kW, plus LESCO’s meter and inspection charges.
- Inspection. LESCO inspects the installation and its protections.
- Bi-directional meter fitted and the agreement signed. New agreements run five years and are renewable.
How long it actually takes
Budget several weeks from application to a working meter. If a company promises approval in 30 days, ask what happens when the transformer needs a saturation check or the file comes back for revision, because that is where the promise usually breaks.
What you get paid, and what you save
Under net billing, surplus you export earns about Rs 11 per unit, while every unit you consume yourself saves the full tariff of roughly Rs 55 to 65. You can take your export credit against the next bill or as a quarterly cash settlement. This is why a system sized to your daytime load beats an oversized one. Full detail is in our 2026 net billing guide.
Already on an old net metering agreement?
Agreements signed before 9 February 2026 keep their original, far better export rate until they expire, but that protection ends if you modify the system’s maximum output. Read what happens if you expand a grandfathered system before adding a single panel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for net billing with LESCO?
You submit an application to your LESCO sub-division with your CNIC, a recent bill, proof of ownership or tenancy, and the technical documents for your system: single-line diagram, inverter and panel datasheets, and a load calculation. LESCO then inspects the installation and fits a bi-directional meter. SNM Solutions prepares and files the whole application for its customers.
How long does LESCO net billing approval take?
Plan for several weeks from application to a working bi-directional meter. The installation itself takes two to four days; the approval runs separately. Anyone promising a 30-day guarantee is not accounting for inspection scheduling or the revisions LESCO commonly asks for.
What does the net billing application cost?
NEPRA charges a one-time processing fee of about Rs 1,000 per kW. Separately there are LESCO charges for the bi-directional meter and inspection. These are not part of the solar system price, and you should get them in writing before you sign anything.
Why do LESCO net metering applications get rejected?
The three common reasons are a system larger than your sanctioned load, a local transformer already at 80 percent distributed-generation saturation, and incomplete or inconsistent technical documents. All three are avoidable if they are checked before installation rather than after.
Can I apply for net billing myself?
Yes. Nothing stops you filing your own application. Most people ask their installer to do it because the technical documents have to match the installed equipment exactly, and errors mean resubmission and delay. SNM has secured over 5,000 approvals and files as part of the job.
What is the difference between a net metering licence and net billing?
Net metering was the pre-2026 arrangement where exports offset imports almost one for one. Since 9 February 2026 new connections are on net billing, where exports are paid at about Rs 11 per unit and imports are billed at the normal tariff. Agreements signed before that date keep their old terms until they expire.
See solar system prices in Lahore or the full price list by size.
Want SNM to handle the paperwork?
Send your latest LESCO bill to 0321 878 3630. We check your sanctioned load and transformer first, tell you honestly whether it will be approved, and file the complete application. Over 5,000 approvals secured.