Net metering in Delhi: how it works, how to apply and how long it takes
A rooftop solar system only pays for itself if the power it produces is counted. In Delhi, that is what net metering does. It lets you use your own solar power during the day, send the surplus to the grid, and pay your DISCOM only for the net units you draw.
This guide explains how net metering works in Delhi, which DISCOM handles your application, the step-by-step process, the documents you need, realistic timelines and the problems that most often cause delays.
Last updated: 21 September 2026 DERC regulations, DISCOM portals and timelines can change. Confirm current requirements with your DISCOM and the Delhi Solar Portal before you apply.
Want to see what net metering is worth on your bill? Try our free Solar ROI Calculator.
Quick answer
- What it is: a billing arrangement where your DISCOM replaces your meter with a bi-directional meter and credits the units your solar system exports.
- Who handles it: your distribution company: BSES Rajdhani (BRPL), BSES Yamuna (BYPL), Tata Power-DDL (TPDDL), or NDMC in its area.
- Is it required? Yes for the PM Surya Ghar central subsidy, and a working net meter is needed to receive the Delhi generation-based incentive (GBI).
- How long does it take? Installers commonly report about 30 to 45 days from application when documents are complete, but timelines vary by division and workload.
What is net metering?
Your rooftop system produces power during the day. You use what you need directly, and any surplus flows to the grid. At night you draw from the grid as usual. A bi-directional meter records both imports and exports, and your bill is based on the difference.
How does it appear on your bill?
Here is a simple, illustrative example, not a guarantee:
| Item | Units |
|---|---|
| Units imported from the grid | 400 |
| Units exported by your solar system | 250 |
| Net units billed | 150 |
If exports exceed imports in a month, the surplus units are carried forward as credit to the next billing cycle. Because Delhi's tariff is slab-based, reducing your net units can also pull you into a lower slab. Our Delhi electricity bill breakdown shows how those slabs and charges work.
For a real Delhi example, see Mr Narender Bansal's 3.4 kW system in Pratap Nagar.
Which DISCOM handles your net metering?
Delhi has three main distribution companies, plus NDMC in its own area. Your DISCOM is the one named on your electricity bill.
| DISCOM | Broad coverage | Example localities |
|---|---|---|
| BSES Rajdhani (BRPL) | South and West Delhi | Janakpuri, Vikas Puri, Dwarka, Vasant Kunj, Vasant Vihar |
| BSES Yamuna (BYPL) | East and Central Delhi | Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar, Mayur Vihar, Shahdara |
| Tata Power-DDL (TPDDL) | North and North-West Delhi | Rohini, Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh |
| NDMC | New Delhi Municipal Council area | Separate solar and net-metering process |
Each DISCOM has its own solar application portal, so always check your bill first. Learn more about your area on our locality pages for Janakpuri, Vikas Puri and Vasant Kunj.
How to apply for net metering in Delhi, step by step
- Check your sanctioned load and roof. Your solar capacity is generally limited by your sanctioned load, so confirm both before you design the system.
- Apply for technical feasibility. Submit your application on your DISCOM's solar portal, or through the PM Surya Ghar portal if you want the central subsidy. The DISCOM checks whether your connection and local network can take a grid-connected solar system. Do not commission the system before you receive approval.
- Install through an eligible vendor. For the central subsidy, the vendor must be PM Surya Ghar-empanelled. Equipment must meet the applicable standards, and your installer should confirm this in writing.
- Submit the work completion details. Your installer files the completion report and system details.
- DISCOM inspection. An officer visits the site to check the inverter's protection settings, earthing, lightning arrester and an accessible isolator switch.
- Meter testing and installation. The DISCOM replaces your old meter with a bi-directional net meter. Ask your installer whether meter testing charges are included in your quote.
- Net metering agreement. You sign an agreement with the DISCOM, digitally or in person.
- Commissioning and subsidy. Once the meter is installed and the system is commissioned, you can upload the commissioning details to claim the central subsidy. See our Delhi solar subsidy guide for the amounts and status check.
Documents required for net metering in Delhi
- Latest electricity bill with your CA (Consumer Account) number, in the applicant's name
- Aadhaar or PAN
- Property ownership proof, such as a registry, GPA or house tax receipt, or the owner's consent letter
- Signed single-line diagram of the system
- Installer's safety certificate and equipment datasheets
- Photos of the installed system and meter location (at the completion stage)
Names must match across the bill, ID and bank account. This is the most common reason for a rejected or delayed application.
How long does net metering take in Delhi?
Installer guides commonly quote about 30 to 45 days for a complete application, while others report that BSES divisions can range from roughly four to ten weeks depending on workload and document quality. Treat any single number as an estimate.
| Stage | Typical expectation |
|---|---|
| Feasibility approval | About one to two weeks |
| Site inspection | Depends on DISCOM division |
| Meter testing and installation | Depends on DISCOM division |
| Total | Often 30 to 45 days, sometimes longer |
The Delhi government has also proposed cutting residential net-metering approval time from about 75 days to about 25 days, but check the current position with your DISCOM before planning around it.
Technical requirements
- Bi-directional meter: records imports, exports and net units.
- Anti-islanding inverter: shuts the system down when the grid is off, protecting line workers.
- Protection and earthing: checked at inspection.
- Accessible meter location: the DISCOM must be able to reach the meter. If it is locked in a basement or private area, you may be asked to relocate it.
Because of anti-islanding, a standard on-grid system stops producing during a power cut. If you want backup power, ask about a hybrid system with a battery.
Sanctioned load: the limit many homeowners miss
Your solar capacity is generally tied to your sanctioned load. If you want a system larger than your sanctioned load allows, you will typically need a load enhancement from your DISCOM first. Skipping this can lead to rejection of your net-metering application. Confirm the current limit for your category with your DISCOM before finalising system size.
Net metering, subsidy and GBI
- PM Surya Ghar subsidy: a commissioned net meter and signed agreement are needed to claim the central subsidy.
- Delhi GBI: the Delhi Solar Portal lists ₹3 per kWh for residential systems up to 3 kW and ₹2 per kWh above 3 kW and up to 10 kW. A functioning net meter is needed to receive it.
- 2026 zero-upfront-cost route: applications under the amended Delhi scheme opened on the Delhi Solar Portal on 21 September 2026. Coverage of the process says the portal step is a consent form, after which you apply for a net meter on your DISCOM's portal. Confirm the steps on the portal, since implementation details are still being published.
Flats, societies and limited roof space
If you live in a flat or a housing society, or your roof is shared or small, net metering works differently. The Delhi Solar Portal lists Group Net Metering and Community Solar for limited roof space. Each individual flat owner who wants their own system generally needs a separate connection, feasibility check and agreement. Clear roof rights are essential in builder floors and societies.
Net metering vs gross metering
| Net metering | Gross metering | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | You use your own solar first and export the surplus | Every unit produced is sold to the DISCOM; you buy all consumption at tariff |
| Bill | Imports minus exports | Full consumption bill, minus payment for generation |
| Best for | Most Delhi homes | Certain commercial cases |
For most homeowners, net metering is the better fit because it offsets your bill at the tariff you would otherwise pay.
What happens to surplus units at year-end?
Under DERC's net metering regulations, unused credits carry forward month to month and are settled at the end of the financial year. Unadjusted units are compensated at a rate set by the regulations, not at your retail tariff, so it usually makes sense to size your system to your own consumption rather than to export large surpluses. Check the current settlement rate with your DISCOM.
Common net metering problems and how to avoid them
| Problem | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Solar capacity above sanctioned load | Apply for load enhancement first |
| Name mismatch across documents | Match bill, Aadhaar and bank account |
| Unclear roof ownership | Keep ownership proof or owner consent ready |
| Meter in an inaccessible spot | Agree a relocation plan early |
| Commissioning before approval | Wait for feasibility approval |
| Wrong DISCOM portal | Check the DISCOM name on your bill |
If you are choosing an installer, ask who files the DISCOM paperwork, who handles inspection follow-ups and what happens if approval is delayed. See our rooftop solar installation process for the full timeline, and our overview of the benefits of rooftop solar.
If you are looking for rooftop solar installation in Delhi, VaySolar can help you with system sizing, roof suitability, DISCOM paperwork and net-metering follow-up. See our Delhi solar pages.
Get my net-metering-ready quote
Frequently asked questions
Is net metering mandatory for rooftop solar in Delhi?
It is required to claim the PM Surya Ghar central subsidy and to receive the Delhi GBI. Without it, exported units are not credited to your bill.
How long does net metering take in Delhi?
Installers commonly report about 30 to 45 days for a complete application, though some BSES divisions take longer. Timelines depend on your DISCOM division and how complete your documents are.
Does net metering work during a power cut?
No. Standard on-grid systems shut down during a grid outage for safety. A hybrid system with a battery is needed for backup power.
Can I install solar larger than my sanctioned load?
Generally not without a load enhancement from your DISCOM. Apply for it before you finalise system size.
What happens to excess units at the end of the year?
Credits carry forward month to month, and unadjusted units at the end of the financial year are compensated at a rate set by DERC's regulations, not at the retail tariff. Check the current rate with your DISCOM.
Do BSES and Tata Power-DDL follow the same net-metering rules?
Both operate under DERC's net-metering regulations, but each has its own application portal, forms and division-level processing times.
Can I get net metering in a flat or housing society?
Yes, but the model differs. Individual owners need their own connection and clear roof rights, and Group Net Metering or Community Solar may suit shared or limited roof space.
Last updated: 21 Sep 2026
Sources: Delhi Solar Portal (solar.delhi.gov.in), including the State Subsidy page; DERC net metering regulations as published on the portal; BSES and Tata Power-DDL solar rooftop pages; PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana portal.