- The net metering process has seven steps: register → feasibility → agreement → install → meter request → meter sealing → commissioning.
- Each step is run by your DISCOM under the rules of the state SERC.
- The DISCOM supplies and seals the bidirectional meter; the consumer pays a meter cost or deposit.
- System size is capped by the customer's sanctioned load and the state capacity limit (verify current).
- Plan for 30–60 days end to end — an estimate that varies a lot by state and DISCOM.
Net metering is the process that lets a rooftop solar system push surplus power to the grid and get credit for it. For an EPC, it is also the longest and most paperwork-heavy part of a job. This guide walks the whole net metering process in India, step by step, so your team can run it cleanly across any DISCOM.
What net metering is, in one line
Net metering is a billing arrangement where the units a solar system exports to the grid are subtracted from the units it imports, and the customer pays only for the net. A special meter records both directions of flow. At the end of the billing cycle, the DISCOM nets export against import in kWh and bills the difference.
This is different from net billing and gross metering, where export is paid a separate rate instead of being netted unit for unit. We cover that split in detail in our net vs gross vs net-billing guide. For now, the key point is that net metering is run by each DISCOM under rules set by that state's State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC).
The net metering process at a glance
Every DISCOM uses some version of the same flow. Names and portals differ, but the logic is the same across India. Here is the full process from the first form to a live plant.
Register the application
Apply on the DISCOM or National Portal. Enter the consumer account number, sanctioned load, proposed system size and site details. You attach the document set here.
Technical feasibility study
The DISCOM checks the distribution transformer load, the local feeder and your sanctioned load. It then approves, approves with a reduced size, or rejects with a reason.
Sign the net metering agreement
Once feasible, you sign a connection agreement with the DISCOM. This is the contract that lets your system export to the grid under net metering.
Install the solar system
You build the plant: panels, inverter, earthing, isolators and protection. The inverter must meet CEA and anti-islanding standards so it trips safely if the grid fails.
Apply for the meter and inspection
You request the bidirectional meter and book the joint inspection. Some states also need a Chief Electrical Inspector (CEIG/CEI) clearance for larger systems.
Bidirectional meter install
The DISCOM supplies, tests and seals the net meter. It records both the units you import and the units you export, which is what makes net metering work.
Commissioning and go-live
After a passed inspection and a sealed meter, the DISCOM commissions the plant. Your next bill nets export against import. The plant is now live.
Process flow based on the Rights of Consumers Rules 2020 and common DISCOM practice. Exact step names and order vary by state — verify with your DISCOM.
The seven steps in detail
The net metering process looks short on paper, but each step has its own checks. Here is what actually happens at each stage and what your team should prepare.
Step 1 — Register the application
You start on the DISCOM portal or the National Portal for rooftop solar. You enter the consumer account number, the sanctioned load, the proposed system size and the site address. You also upload the document set: identity proof, the latest electricity bill, site photos, and the technical drawings. Get the document list right the first time — our documents checklist lists every paper a DISCOM asks for.
Step 2 — Technical feasibility study
The DISCOM studies whether the local grid can take your system. It checks the distribution transformer (DT) load, the feeder, and your sanctioned load. If everything fits, it grants feasibility. If the transformer is already loaded, it may approve a smaller size or reject the application. We explain this in the section below.
Step 3 — Sign the net metering agreement
After feasibility, you sign a connection agreement with the DISCOM. This is a formal contract that allows your system to export to the grid under net metering. It sets out the metering model, the term, and the duties of both sides. Read it before you sign — the clauses vary by state.
Step 4 — Install the solar system
Now you build. The panels, mounting, inverter, cabling, earthing and isolators all go in. The inverter must meet CEA standards and carry anti-islanding protection, which means it shuts down if the grid goes dead so a lineworker is never shocked by your export. This safety step is non-negotiable and the inspector will check it.
Step 5 — Apply for the meter and inspection
With the plant built, you request the bidirectional meter and book the joint inspection. For larger systems, many states also require a clearance from the Chief Electrical Inspector (CEIG/CEI). Have the single-line diagram, the test reports and the earthing details ready for the inspector.
Step 6 — Bidirectional meter installation
The DISCOM supplies, tests and seals the bidirectional meter. It is the DISCOM's meter, so it is calibrated and sealed by the utility, not by you. The consumer usually pays a meter cost or a security deposit. This step often waits on meter stock, so it is a common delay point.
Step 7 — Commissioning and go-live
After a passed inspection and a sealed meter, the DISCOM commissions the plant and the system goes live. From the next reading, the bill nets the export units against the import units. The job is done — and the customer starts saving.
How the feasibility study works
Feasibility is the step that most often shapes the project. The DISCOM is asking one question: can the local grid safely take the power your system will push back?
What the DISCOM checks
The main check is the distribution transformer. A DISCOM will not let the combined solar on a transformer exceed a loading limit — a figure of about 30% is commonly cited, but the real cap varies by state and has been amended several times. Do not treat any single national figure as fixed; verify the current DT loading cap with your DISCOM or the SERC regulation. The DISCOM also checks that your system size stays within the customer's sanctioned load.
Deemed feasibility for small systems
Under the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules 2020, systems up to 10 kW have deemed feasibility. That means feasibility is granted unless the DISCOM raises an objection within the set time. The 10 kW threshold has been debated and amended between 2024 and 2026, so verify the current limit with your DISCOM or the SERC before you rely on it. We cover this rule in the deemed feasibility guide.
The bidirectional meter explained
A bidirectional meter, also called a net meter, records two things: the units you draw from the grid (import) and the units you send back (export). A normal meter only counts one direction, so it cannot run net metering.
The DISCOM procures, tests and seals this meter so the readings are trusted by both sides. The consumer pays a meter cost or a security deposit, which differs by state — verify the current charge with your DISCOM. If you want the full breakdown of how this meter differs from a check meter, see our bidirectional vs check meter guide.
Commissioning and the joint inspection
Commissioning is the official "switch on". Before it, the DISCOM runs a joint inspection of the installed plant. The inspector checks earthing, isolators, the inverter's anti-islanding trip, and that the build matches the approved single-line diagram.
Pass the inspection the first time
Most inspection failures are simple: missing earthing, a wrong isolator rating, or a system that does not match the drawing. Walk the site against the joint inspection checklist before you book the visit. A clean first inspection saves a week or more of rework.
Where the net metering process slows down
The biggest risk to your timeline is not the rules — it is the wait between steps. Three points cause most delays.
- Feasibility — a loaded transformer can stall an application for weeks while the DISCOM studies it.
- Meter stock — the DISCOM may not have a bidirectional meter in store, so the install waits.
- Inspection scheduling — getting the inspector on site can take time in busy seasons.
If a step stalls past the service standard, you can escalate. Our delay and rejection guide walks the escalation ladder up to the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF). For typical durations by state, see the timelines by state page.
Why the process differs by state
The seven steps are national, but the detail is set by each state's SERC and run by its DISCOM. Capacity caps, the DT loading rule, fees, the meter cost and the timeline all vary. A process that takes three weeks in one state can take two months in another.
Always check the live rule for the state you are working in. Our state pages — for example MSEDCL in Maharashtra, BESCOM in Karnataka, KSEB in Kerala, JVVNL/AVVNL in Rajasthan and BSES/Tata Power in Delhi — carry the DISCOM-specific steps. When in doubt, verify the current figure with the DISCOM or the SERC.
How SuryaHub helps you run the process
The net metering process touches many forms, dates and people. Miss one step and the whole job waits. SuryaHub runs each application through government workflows, stores the document set, and shows the next action and the days each step has been open. Your team sees every job's stage across every DISCOM on one project board, so nothing sits unattended. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and the figures here are scheme facts, not guarantees.
Track every net metering job in one place
See how SuryaHub moves jobs from feasibility to a sealed meter.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the net metering process in India?+
The net metering process in India runs in seven steps: register the application, pass a technical feasibility study, sign the connection agreement, install the solar system, apply for the meter and inspection, get the bidirectional meter sealed, and commission the plant. Each step is run by your DISCOM under the state SERC rules.
Who supplies the net meter?+
The DISCOM supplies, tests and seals the bidirectional net meter in almost every state. The consumer usually pays a meter cost or security deposit, but the meter is procured by the DISCOM so it is calibrated and trusted. Confirm the exact charge and process with your DISCOM.
How long does net metering approval take in India?+
Net metering approval commonly takes about 30 to 60 days from a clean application to a sealed meter, but the time varies widely by state and DISCOM. Feasibility and meter installation are the steps that slow most. Treat any timeline as an estimate and verify the current service standard with your DISCOM.
What size system does net metering allow?+
Net metering ties the system size to the consumer sanctioned load, so the plant cannot exceed that load without a load enhancement. States also set capacity caps and a distribution transformer loading limit. These limits change with each SERC amendment, so verify the current figure with your DISCOM or the SERC regulation.
Is feasibility automatic for small systems?+
Systems up to 10 kW have deemed feasibility under the Electricity Rights of Consumers Rules 2020, which means feasibility is granted unless the DISCOM objects in time. The 10 kW threshold has been debated and amended between 2024 and 2026, so verify the current limit with your DISCOM or the SERC.
How does SuryaHub help with the net metering process?+
SuryaHub tracks every net metering application across DISCOMs, stores the document set, and flags the next action so feasibility, agreement, meter and commissioning steps do not stall. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL.
Sources & references
The steps and rules below come from primary government sources. Net metering is set by each state SERC and run by each DISCOM, so always confirm the current process and figures with your DISCOM before you apply.
- Ministry of Power — Rights of Consumers Rules 2020 ↗
Sets the deemed-feasibility rule and DISCOM service timelines.
- Central Electricity Authority (CEA) ↗
Technical and safety standards for grid-connected systems.
- National Portal for Rooftop Solar ↗
Links the rooftop application to DISCOM net metering.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MoP, CEA & SERC sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: The process and rules are taken from the government sources above and re-checked every 30 days. State-specific caps, fees and timelines are estimates that change with each SERC amendment — verify with your DISCOM. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.