- This covers the smaller NE states the Assam guide under-served: Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland.
- Each has its own utility and regulator — rules and even availability differ.
- First step is to confirm a scheme exists — several states may have no live regulation.
- Where it exists, the path is standard: register → feasibility → agreement → meter → commission.
- Verify every figure and status with the utility; say so plainly where there is no scheme.
Sikkim net metering and the schemes in the other smaller North-East states are the long tail of India's rooftop solar map. These states are small, their grids are thin, and their rules are lightly published. The first job for an EPC is honest: confirm whether a net-metering scheme is even live before you promise a customer one.
Net metering beyond Assam
Net metering nets the solar units you export against the units you import, so the consumer pays for the net difference on a bidirectional meter. This is the same model used across India. In the smaller North-East states, the catch is not how it works but whether it is available — and that varies a lot.
We treat every figure here as an estimate to verify. Where a state has no operational net-metering regulation, we say so plainly rather than implying a process. The owner can still use solar for self-consumption, and you can track the utility for when a scheme goes live.
The utilities, state by state
Here is who runs distribution and who regulates it across these states. Use this to know where to file and where to escalate. Verify each utility's current net-metering status before you rely on it.
Source: state utilities and ERCs. Roles and availability are summarised; several states may have limited or no operational net-metering scheme — verify each one before you commit.
Sikkim
In Sikkim, the state energy and power department runs distribution. Net-metering availability and rules are limited and lightly published, so do not assume a live scheme. Verify the current status with the department and the state regulator before you commit a customer.
What to tell a Sikkim customer
If there is no operational net-metering regulation in Sikkim at the time you quote, say so. The owner can still install solar for self-consumption with the right safety approvals. Track the department for any new scheme, and re-check before you promise net metering.
Tripura: TSECL
In Tripura, TSECL (Tripura State Electricity Corporation) runs distribution and any net metering, under TERC rules. Where a scheme is live, the process follows the standard path. Caps, fees and the settlement method are TSECL and TERC figures — verify the current order before you size and quote.
Meghalaya: MePDCL
In Meghalaya, MePDCL is the distribution arm, under MSERC rules. Net-metering rules exist on paper, but the live process and the figures should be verified with MePDCL, since published detail is thin. Hill terrain can limit feasibility on small transformers.
Manipur, Nagaland and the others
In Manipur, MSPDCL runs distribution and the Joint ERC (for Manipur and Mizoram) sets the regulation. Confirm whether net metering is live. In Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, distribution often runs through state departments and net metering may be limited or not yet operational — verify each one.
The honest default
For all these states, the safe default is to confirm before you promise. If the scheme is not live, tell the customer plainly. For the larger NE picture, see our Assam and North-East guide, and for other weak-grid states, our hill-states guide.
The application process step by step
Where a net-metering scheme is live, the process follows the standard India path — but the first step here is to confirm the scheme exists at all. Here is the flow.
Confirm the scheme exists
Before anything, confirm the state utility actually runs net metering. In several of these states a regulation may be limited or not yet live — check first, and tell the customer plainly if there is none.
Register the application
Where a scheme exists, apply to the state utility with consumer details, sanctioned load, system size and documents. Use the National Portal for PM Surya Ghar subsidy jobs.
Feasibility & agreement
The utility checks the local transformer can take the export, then the consumer signs the net-metering agreement. Small systems may get deemed feasibility — verify the threshold.
Install & inspect
Build to CEA safety standards. The utility and the electrical inspector check earthing, isolators and inverter anti-islanding protection.
Meter & commission
The utility supplies, tests and seals the bidirectional meter, then commissions the plant. Export now nets against import.
For PM Surya Ghar subsidy jobs, much of this runs through the National Portal. See the National Portal workflow for how the portal and the utility steps connect.
Feasibility on small grids
Feasibility is where the utility confirms the local network can absorb your export. In small NE states, transformers are small and feeders long, so a distribution transformer (DT) can reach its solar loading cap sooner than in a metro.
Small systems may get deemed feasibility under the national Rights of Consumers Rules, but the exact threshold has been amended between 2024 and 2026 — verify the current limit with the utility. The DT loading cap is commonly cited near 30 percent but varies by state. Our DT loading rule guide explains the cap.
Metering model and surplus settlement
Where a scheme exists, the smaller North-East states generally use net metering for rooftop systems, with export netted against import in units on a bidirectional meter. How leftover surplus is settled is fixed by each state's order and can differ for larger systems.
Where the model can change
Above a size threshold, a system can fall under net billing (export paid a separate, usually lower rate) or gross metering (all generation sold at a feed-in tariff). The threshold and rates are state figures, so confirm which model applies with the utility. See net vs gross vs net billing and surplus settlement by state.
Documents and safety compliance
Where a scheme is live, a clean document set is the fastest way through any small-state utility. Most rejections are paperwork problems, not technical ones. Have the consumer's identity and address proof, the latest electricity bill, the sanctioned-load proof, the system design and the inverter and module datasheets ready before you file.
The papers a utility expects
The exact list is set by each utility and can change, so verify the current checklist. As a general guide you will need the application form, the consumer's electricity bill, identity and ownership proof of the premises, a single-line diagram (SLD) of the plant, and the technical sheets for the inverter and modules. Our documents checklist covers every paper a DISCOM asks for and how to keep names matching across them.
Safety standards the plant must meet
Even where net metering is not yet live, a solar plant for self-consumption must be safe. The inverter must meet CEA and relevant standards, with anti-islanding protection. The plant needs proper earthing and an accessible AC isolator, and the electrical inspector checks these where required. Our earthing and isolators guide and inverter standards guide explain what an inspector looks for. On thin small-state grids, these checks matter even more.
The single-line diagram
A clear single-line diagram (SLD) speeds up both feasibility and inspection. It shows how the array, inverter, isolators, meter and grid connect. A vague SLD is a common reason a file gets sent back, so make it clean and labelled. Our SLD guide shows what a net-metering SLD should contain.
How the PM Surya Ghar subsidy interacts
Net metering and the PM Surya Ghar subsidy are two separate things that meet on the same job. The subsidy is the central money for a residential rooftop system; net metering is the grid arrangement that lets the owner export surplus. In these small states, the state renewable agency supports the subsidy side while the utility runs any net-metering and meter steps.
For a residential job, the system is registered on the National Portal, the net meter is installed by the utility, and the subsidy is released after commissioning and meter installation. The PM Surya Ghar residential subsidy is up to ₹78,000 at 3 kW — a national figure to verify against the current scheme. Where a state has no live net-metering scheme, confirm how the subsidy can still proceed; our subsidy and net-metering interaction guide explains how the two normally fit together.
Why the order of steps matters
Where net metering is live, the subsidy depends on the net meter being installed and the system commissioned, so a stalled utility meter step holds up the subsidy too. Plan the net-metering steps as part of the subsidy timeline, not a separate task.
Timeline and escalation
Where a scheme is live, net metering in these states commonly takes a few weeks from a complete file to a sealed meter, but it can stretch where staff and meters are scarce. Treat any timeline as an estimate and confirm with the utility.
If the process stalls
Escalate inside the utility first — to the divisional office handling the connection. If that does not move it, the consumer can raise a grievance with the state ERC's consumer grievance forum and, beyond that, the Electricity Ombudsman. The national Rights of Consumers Rules also give service timelines. See our delay and escalation guide. Verify the current forum details for each state before you file.
How SuryaHub helps across the smaller states
Running work across several small utilities — some with a live scheme, some without — is easy to lose track of. SuryaHub keeps every application, document and meter date in one place, and runs each job from lead through DISCOM and net-metering steps to commissioning — and lets you flag which states have a live scheme. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and the figures here are scheme facts to verify, not guarantees.
Track every small-state utility in one place
See how SuryaHub runs jobs across many state utilities.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Sikkim have net metering for rooftop solar?+
Sikkim has a state power department that runs distribution, but net-metering availability and rules are limited and lightly published. Do not assume a live scheme. Verify the current status with the Sikkim energy and power department and the state regulator before you commit a customer to a net-metering project.
Which North-East states beyond Assam have net metering?+
Beyond Assam, Tripura through TSECL, Meghalaya through MePDCL and Manipur through MSPDCL have distribution utilities and regulators, with net-metering rules in varying stages. Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal differ and may have limited or no live scheme. Verify each utility individually before you commit.
What if a North-East state has no net-metering regulation?+
If a North-East state has no operational net-metering regulation, tell the customer plainly rather than implying a process. The owner can still use solar for self-consumption, and you should track the state utility for when a scheme goes live. Verify the current status with the utility before you quote.
Which metering model do the smaller North-East states use?+
Where a scheme exists, the smaller North-East states generally use net metering for rooftop systems, with export netted against import in units on a bidirectional meter. Larger systems can fall under net billing or gross metering. Confirm the model and the size threshold with the state utility.
How does SuryaHub help in the smaller North-East states?+
SuryaHub keeps the utility application, documents, feasibility status and meter dates for every job in one place, so an EPC can run work across several small state utilities and track which states have a live scheme. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL.
Sources & references
The roles, process and rules below come from primary state and national sources. Several of these states have limited or unpublished net-metering rules, so always confirm the current status with the relevant utility and regulator before you apply or quote.
- Ministry of Power — Rights of Consumers Rules ↗
National baseline, including deemed feasibility for small systems. Verify current thresholds.
- JERC (Manipur & Mizoram) and state ERCs ↗
Regulators for several smaller NE states; set net-metering rules where they apply. Verify coverage.
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ↗
Rooftop solar and PM Surya Ghar scheme guidance. Verify state-level implementation.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against state utilities, ERCs & MoP sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: Process and roles are drawn from the sources above and re-checked every 30 days. For these states, net-metering availability, caps, fees and timelines are estimates that vary — several may have no live scheme; verify each utility and regulator. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.