- Virtual net metering (VNM) shares one plant across many flats or members.
- The DISCOM splits exported units by a sharing ratio the society files.
- Group net metering is similar but stays within one owner's meters.
- VNM is not available everywhere — it depends on the state SERC (live in Maharashtra/MERC).
- Capacity caps, ratios and rules vary by state — verify with the DISCOM and SERC.
Most flat owners cannot do rooftop solar — they share one roof and one society. Virtual net metering fixes that. It lets the society put up one solar plant and split its credits across many flats. For an EPC, a society is one large job instead of dozens of tiny ones.
What virtual net metering is
Virtual net metering lets one solar plant serve several consumers who do not own the roof it sits on. The plant exports power to the grid, and the DISCOM splits those units across the member meters by a ratio the society files in advance. No wire runs from the plant to each flat — the sharing happens "virtually" on the bills.
That word "virtual" is the key. In normal net metering, the panels feed the same meter that powers the home. In virtual net metering, the panels feed the grid, and the benefit reaches flats that may be in a different block or even on a different feeder. The DISCOM does the accounting. This is governed by each State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), so the exact rule depends on where the society sits.
Virtual net metering vs group net metering
Virtual net metering and group net metering both pool one plant, but they differ in who the members are. Virtual net metering crosses different owners — the flats in a society. Group net metering stays within one owner who holds several service connections, often spread across sites. Knowing which one a state allows decides how you contract the job.
The three models side by side
Here is how the three common arrangements compare, so you can match a client to the right one.
Comparison of net-metering arrangements. The exact names and rules vary by state SERC — verify the current definition with your DISCOM.
How the energy is shared, step by step
The sharing follows a clear five-step path from one plant to many bills. This is the flow an EPC walks a society committee through before they sign.
One solar plant
A single rooftop or ground-mount system is installed on common land — usually the society terrace or clubhouse roof.
One generation meter
The plant feeds the grid through one connection. A meter records every unit the plant exports to the DISCOM.
Pre-agreed share split
The society files a sharing ratio with the DISCOM — for example flat A gets 20%, flat B gets 15%, common area gets 25%.
Credits land on each bill
The DISCOM splits the exported units by that ratio and credits each member meter, even though no wire runs to their flat.
Each member pays the net
Every flat pays only for the units it draws above its credited share, the same way single-home net metering works.
How-it-works flow for virtual net metering. The split ratio and settlement period are set by the SERC — verify the current figure with your DISCOM.
The big idea is that the meters never need to touch the plant. A flat on the fourth floor and the lift lobby can both draw their share from one terrace plant. Each member meter keeps running as usual; the DISCOM simply posts a credit equal to that member's slice of the export.
Where virtual net metering is allowed in India
Virtual net metering is allowed only in states whose SERC has notified it. It is not a single national scheme. Maharashtra, through MERC and MSEDCL, is the best-known example with live virtual and group net-metering provisions. Other states may offer it, restrict it to certain consumer classes, or not offer it at all.
Always check the live state order
Net-metering rules change with every SERC amendment. A provision that exists today can be capped, paused or moved to net billing in the next order. Before you promise a society a virtual net-metering connection, verify the current rule with the state DISCOM and the SERC. Treat any capacity cap, sharing limit or settlement figure as an estimate until you confirm it.
Who benefits in a housing society
In a society, virtual net metering spreads solar across people who could never do it alone. The classic split sends some credit to the common area — lifts, pumps, lighting — and some to individual flats that opt in. That common-area share alone often makes the project worth it, because society electricity bills are large and steady.
Owners with no roof of their own
A flat owner on the second floor has no usable roof. Virtual net metering gives that owner a real share of a real plant without a single panel above their flat. This is the main reason the model exists, and the main selling point for an EPC pitching a society committee.
Sizing a society system
Size a society system to the combined sanctioned load and the usable roof, not to wishful numbers. The plant size is still tied to the sanctioned load on the connection that hosts the meter, so a system that overshoots the sanctioned load can trigger a load enhancement first.
Watch the capacity cap
Many states cap a net-metering system as a share of the sanctioned load and cap how much one distribution transformer can carry. These caps bind a large society plant much sooner than a small home system. Pull the current numbers from the state capacity table and the SERC order — they move with each amendment, so verify before you finalise the design.
Roof, shadow and structure
A society terrace carries water tanks, lift rooms and parapet shadows. Walk the roof, map the shade, and confirm the structure can take the load. The usable area, not the paper area, sets the real plant size. A smaller, clean array usually beats a crowded one that loses output to shadow.
The society agreement and approvals
A society job needs a clean internal mandate before the DISCOM paperwork. The managing committee must pass a resolution, agree the sharing ratio, and authorise one signatory. Without that, the DISCOM agreement stalls and members dispute the split later.
What goes into the DISCOM file
The society signs one connection agreement with the DISCOM and files the member sharing ratio. The standard net-metering documents still apply — sanctioned-load proof, the single-line diagram, inverter and meter details. The agreement format and clauses guide covers the wording you will see, and the document checklist lists the full set so nothing is missing on submission day.
Common pitfalls on society jobs
Society projects fail on people problems more than technical ones. Plan for these before you quote.
- No committee resolution — get the society's written mandate first, or the DISCOM file cannot move.
- Unrealistic sharing ratio — agree the split among members up front; changing it later needs DISCOM approval.
- Assuming VNM exists — confirm the state SERC actually allows it before you pitch.
- Ignoring the capacity cap — a large plant can breach the sanctioned-load or transformer cap; verify the limits.
- Skipping the structure check — an old terrace may need strengthening before the array goes up.
When a society is one of several sites for the same client, treat the whole portfolio as one account. A multi-site distributor often mixes individual, group and virtual net metering across connections — and a single tracker across all of them prevents missed approvals.
How SuryaHub helps on society and multi-site jobs
A society job has one plant but many meters, one agreement but many members. SuryaHub runs it on one platform, tracking the shared plant, the filed sharing ratio, the DISCOM and net-metering steps, and each member's credited share — so nothing slips between the committee, the DISCOM and the field crew. The same view scales to a distributor's multi-site portfolio. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and the figures here are scheme facts, not guarantees.
Run a society job end to end
See how SuryaHub tracks one plant, many meters and the DISCOM steps.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is virtual net metering?+
Virtual net metering lets one solar plant serve several consumers who do not own the roof it sits on. The plant exports to the grid, and the DISCOM splits those units across the member meters by a sharing ratio filed in advance. Virtual net metering is set by each state SERC, so verify the current rule with your DISCOM.
How is virtual net metering different from group net metering?+
Virtual net metering shares one plant across several different consumers, such as flats in a society. Group net metering shares one plant across several service connections owned by the same person, often on different sites. Both pool one plant, but virtual net metering crosses owners while group net metering stays within one owner.
Is virtual net metering allowed in India?+
Virtual net metering is allowed only in states whose SERC has notified it, such as Maharashtra under MERC. It is not available everywhere, and the rules differ by state. Always verify with your DISCOM and the current SERC regulation before you promise a society a virtual net-metering connection.
How do members share the credits in virtual net metering?+
Members share the credits by a sharing ratio the society files with the DISCOM, such as flat A 20% and the common area 25%. The DISCOM splits the exported units by that ratio and posts the credit on each member bill. The ratio can usually be revised, but the change needs DISCOM approval.
Can a housing society install one solar plant for all flats?+
Yes, a housing society can install one plant on common space and share it across flats where virtual net metering is allowed. The society signs one agreement with the DISCOM, files a sharing ratio, and each flat sees its credited share on its own bill. Capacity caps and rules are set by the SERC.
How does SuryaHub help with society net-metering jobs?+
SuryaHub runs a multi-flat society job on one platform, tracking the single plant, the shared meters, the filed sharing ratio and the DISCOM steps so nothing slips. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and figures here are scheme facts, not guarantees.
Sources & references
The framework, model definitions and Maharashtra provisions below come from primary government and regulatory sources. Net-metering rules change with each SERC amendment, so confirm the current order with your DISCOM before you apply.
- Ministry of Power ↗
Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules 2020 and the national net-metering framework.
- MSEDCL (Maharashtra) ↗
Virtual and group net-metering provisions notified under MERC regulations.
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) ↗
The SERC that sets the VNM rules — verify the current order before you apply.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MoP, MNRE & SERC sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: Model definitions and state provisions are taken from the government and SERC sources above and re-checked every 30 days. Capacity caps, sharing ratios and settlement figures are state-specific estimates — verify the current figure with your DISCOM or the SERC. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.