Solar suits a shop or office better than it suits a house, and the 2026 rule change made that gap wider. A business consumes its generation as it is produced, which is precisely what net billing now rewards.
Why the numbers are better for a business
Since 9 February 2026, exported units earn about Rs 11 while units used on site save the full tariff of roughly Rs 55 to 65.
A home is often empty between nine and five, so much of its generation is exported cheaply. A shop, clinic, office or hall is at its busiest in exactly those hours: air conditioning, lighting, refrigeration, computers, machinery. Nearly every unit is consumed where it is made. The change in export rates barely touches a well-sized commercial system.
Typical sizes and prices
| Premises | Typical system | On-grid price |
|---|---|---|
| Single shop, small office | 5 to 8 kW | Rs 350,000 to 560,000 |
| Larger office, clinic | 10 to 15 kW | Rs 700,000 to 1,050,000 |
| Plaza floor, restaurant | 20 to 25 kW | Rs 1,400,000 to 1,750,000 |
| Marquee, banquet hall | 30 kW and above | From Rs 2,100,000 |
Commercial work we have completed
- 60 kW at Mughal-e-Azam Banquet Hall, New Garden Town
- 100 kW at a marriage hall on Raiwind Road
- 10 kW at a banquet hall in Johar Town
- 25 kW at Milano Marquee, Garden Town
Three things to settle before you buy
- Sanctioned load. Your system cannot exceed it. Commercial connections often have headroom, but check the bill rather than assuming.
- Roof rights. On a rented or shared building, get the owner’s written consent early. The net-billing application needs it.
- Transformer saturation. LESCO will not approve where the local transformer is already at 80 percent solar. In busy commercial areas this is worth checking first.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar worth it for a shop in Pakistan?
Usually more than for a home. A shop’s load runs nine to six, which is exactly when panels produce, so nearly every unit is consumed on site at the full tariff instead of exported at about Rs 11. That makes commercial premises the best case under 2026 net billing.
What size system does a shop or office need?
Most single shops and small offices land between 5 and 15 kW depending on air conditioning. Larger premises, plazas and halls run 20 kW and up. Our commercial installations range from 10 kW to 110 kW.
Can I install solar on a rented commercial property?
Yes, with the owner’s written consent, and the net-billing application requires proof of tenancy plus that consent. Agree at the outset what happens to the system if you move.
Does a commercial system need three-phase?
Most commercial premises already have a three-phase connection. Confirm your connection type with LESCO before finalising a system size, as it affects the design.
How fast does commercial solar pay back?
At current tariffs and with most output self-consumed, a correctly sized commercial system typically returns its cost in about 2 to 3 years, sometimes faster where the daytime load is heavy and continuous.
See our commercial solar page, industrial solar, or financing options.
Run a shop, office or hall?
Send your last two electricity bills to 0321 878 3630. We will size the system to your business hours and quote it itemised, free.