Andhra Pradesh net metering: the APSPDCL, APEPDCL & APCPDCL guide

Andhra Pradesh net metering lets a rooftop solar customer export surplus power and get credit for it. For an EPC, the work is to route each plant cleanly through the right AP DISCOM — APSPDCL, APEPDCL or APCPDCL — from feasibility to a sealed bidirectional meter. This guide covers the process, the fees, the timeline and the rules that move.

Andhra Pradesh net metering in brief

Andhra Pradesh net metering lets a solar plant send extra units to the grid and net them against the units the customer draws. The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) writes the rules, and the state's distribution companies run them on the ground. AP is a transition state for metering policy, so the model and caps need checking before every quote.

The headline item EPCs watch is the capacity cap — commonly cited around 500 kWp, with larger systems pushed toward gross metering or open access. That cap, the net-to-gross transition and any per-consumer limit are APERC items that change; verify the current figure with APERC and your DISCOM.

APSPDCL, APEPDCL and APCPDCL — which serves your site

Andhra Pradesh is split between three distribution companies. You apply to the one that serves the installation site, named on the customer's bill.

Net metering, net billing or gross — which applies?

Andhra Pradesh has offered net metering for smaller systems, with net billing or gross metering for larger ones, split by consumer class. The model decides how export is valued.

The three models in plain words

• Net metering — export is subtracted from import in units; you pay for the net units.
• Net billing — export is paid a separate, usually lower, rate; import is at the retail tariff.
• Gross metering — all generation is sold at a fixed feed-in tariff and you buy all power at retail.

Which model and export value apply to your customer is a live APERC item, especially around the cap where systems shift from net to gross. Confirm the latest APERC proceedings before you build the case. Our net vs gross vs net-billing guide and the 500 kW net-to-gross watch show how the cap changes the payback.

Capacity caps and distribution-transformer loading

Your system size in AP is tied to the customer's sanctioned load and to the headroom on the local distribution transformer (DT). The DISCOM checks both at feasibility. If the plant would push the transformer past its allowed solar share, the DISCOM can cut the size or ask for an upgrade.

The numbers that move

The ~500 kWp net-metering cap, any net-to-gross transition, the DT solar-share limit and the ≤10 kW fee/meter waiver are all APERC figures that change with each order. There is no single national DT loading number — around 30% is commonly cited, but it varies by state and feeder. Every one of these is an estimate; verify the current cap, DT rule and waiver with APERC and your DISCOM before you size the plant. If the system exceeds the sanctioned load, the customer needs a load enhancement first.

Under the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules 2020, systems up to a threshold (long cited as ≤10 kW) have a form of deemed feasibility — but that threshold has been debated and amended in 2024–2026, so verify the current threshold and how your AP DISCOM applies it.

The application process, step by step

Each AP DISCOM takes the net-metering application against the customer's existing service number. Here is the flow an EPC follows from start to a working, metered plant.

The exact portal flow and the sequencing of the CEIG / electrical inspection change with DISCOM circulars and APERC orders. Re-check the current DISCOM process before you file.

Documents you need for an AP application

Collect the document set before you open the application. A missing or mismatched paper is the most common reason a file sits.

See our full net-metering documents checklist for the EPC-grade version that works across states.

Fees, deposits and meter cost

AP net metering has three money items: the application or processing charge, a possible security deposit on any extra sanctioned load, and the cost of the bidirectional meter. The DISCOM supplies, tests and seals the meter.

The figures that change

The ≤10 kW fee and meter-cost relief, the deposit and the meter charge are APERC and DISCOM decisions that move. These are estimates; verify the current fee schedule and any waiver with your AP DISCOM before you put numbers in a quote. Our deposit, meter and fee guide shows how to model these line items.

Timeline and commissioning

A clean AP net-metering case commonly runs a few weeks from feasibility to a sealed meter, but the real timeline depends on the DISCOM, the plant size, meter stock and whether a CEIG inspection is needed. Larger commercial plants take longer than a small home system.

What happens at commissioning

At commissioning, the DISCOM installs the bidirectional meter, tests it, and seals it. Export only starts counting from that date. Compare states in our timeline by state guide. All timeline figures are estimates — verify the current schedule with your AP DISCOM.

Feasibility and DT notes for AP sites

Feasibility decides the plant size the DISCOM will allow. The DISCOM looks at the distribution transformer (DT) the customer's connection sits on, the existing rooftop solar on that transformer, and the customer's sanctioned load. A good roof can still get a cut size if the transformer is already carrying its share of solar, or if the plant is near the 500 kWp cap.

What an EPC should check before applying

• Sanctioned load — read it off the latest bill; if the plant is larger, plan the load enhancement first.
• Transformer headroom — check with the DISCOM whether the local DT has solar room before you commit a size.
• Cap proximity — for systems near 500 kWp, confirm whether the plant falls under net metering or shifts to gross/open access.
• CEIG trigger — larger systems need an electrical inspectorate clearance; plan for it early.

The exact DT solar-share figure the DISCOM applies is an APERC item and varies by feeder. Treat it as an estimate and verify the current rule with your DISCOM before you promise a size. An informal feasibility check saves a formal rejection later.

When it stalls — delays and escalation

Most AP delays come from feasibility queries, a DT-loading limit, a cap question near 500 kWp, or a wait for the meter. First, clear the query the DISCOM raised — a corrected SLD or a load enhancement often unblocks it. If the file still sits, escalate up the DISCOM hierarchy and, if needed, raise it with APERC under the consumer grievance route.

The national Rights of Consumers Rules set time-bound expectations for connection steps, which gives you a clear basis to push. Our delay and escalation guide maps the full path. Keep a dated record of every submission.

How SuryaHub helps Andhra Pradesh EPCs

Working across three DISCOMs means three sets of logins, queries and timelines. SuryaHub keeps the whole pipeline — from lead through the DISCOM and net-metering steps to handover — in one place, so an AP EPC can see exactly where each plant sits across APSPDCL, APEPDCL and APCPDCL, which document is pending, and when the meter is due. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and every state figure here is a scheme estimate, not a guarantee.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Sources & references

Andhra Pradesh net-metering caps, the metering model, fees and settlement come from APERC orders and DISCOM circulars and change with each amendment. Always confirm the current figure with your AP DISCOM and APERC before you apply.

• Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) ↗

  Sets AP net-metering caps, the metering model, fees and settlement. Verify the current notified order.

• APSPDCL (Southern Power Distribution Company of AP) ↗

  The DISCOM that runs net metering in its area; see also APEPDCL and APCPDCL.

• Ministry of Power — Rights of Consumers Rules ↗

  National rules on deemed feasibility and bidirectional metering.