LESCO Net Metering: How to Apply in Lahore
Net metering allows you to export surplus solar electricity to the grid and offset your electricity bill. For a detailed explanation of how the mechanism works nationwide, see our Pakistan net metering guide. This page focuses on the specific application process for LESCO, the Lahore Electric Supply Company.
LESCO Service Area
LESCO serves Lahore and surrounding districts including Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, and Okara. If your electricity bill shows LESCO as the issuing company, this guide applies to you. Lahore is the largest market in LESCO’s territory and accounts for the majority of net metering applications in Punjab.
Eligibility
• Connection type: All consumer categories including residential, commercial, general services, and industrial.
• System capacity: Minimum 1 kW. Maximum capacity is limited to your sanctioned load or the distribution transformer capacity, whichever is lower.
• Meter: LESCO replaces your existing meter with a bidirectional (import/export) meter. The cost of the meter is borne by the applicant.
• Inverter requirement: Grid-tied inverter with anti-islanding protection, compliant with IEC 62109 or UL 1741.
• Installer: Must be a PEC-registered contractor with a valid solar installation licence.
Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Apply Through LESCO’s Online Portal or Office
LESCO accepts applications at its divisional offices across Lahore and through its online portal. Key offices are at Qurban Lines (head office), Gulberg, Township, Cantt, and Model Town divisions.
2. Required Documents
• Applicant’s CNIC copy
• Latest LESCO electricity bill (not older than 3 months)
• Single-line diagram (SLD) prepared and signed by a PEC-registered engineer
• Solar system specifications including panel model, wattage, quantity, and inverter model with capacity
• Copy of the PEC licence of the installing company
• Inverter test report or datasheet confirming anti-islanding functionality
• Panel certificates (IEC 61215 compliance)
• Application form on the prescribed LESCO/NEPRA format
• Undertaking/indemnity bond
3. Application Fee
LESCO charges a processing fee of approximately PKR 15,000-25,000 for residential systems up to 10 kW. The bidirectional meter cost is separate, typically PKR 8,000-15,000 depending on phase configuration.
4. Technical Review and Site Inspection
LESCO’s engineering team reviews your submitted documents and conducts a site inspection. They verify the system installation, wiring, earthing, inverter settings, and protection equipment. The inspection is scheduled 15-30 days after application acceptance. If the system passes, LESCO issues a technical clearance certificate.
5. Agreement Execution and Meter Installation
After clearance, LESCO executes the net metering agreement and replaces your meter with a bidirectional unit. Typical timeline: 30-60 days. During peak season (March-July), processing can take up to 90 days.
Net Metering vs Net Billing Under NEPRA 2026 Rules
Under NEPRA’s 2026 prosumer regulations, new net metering connections operate under net billing. Exported electricity is credited at approximately Rs. 11 per unit. Imported electricity from LESCO is charged at the standard tariff, which ranges from Rs. 50-63 per unit for most residential consumers in Lahore depending on slab.
The practical impact: self-consumed solar still saves you the full retail rate. Only the value of surplus export has decreased. This makes system sizing more important than ever. Design your system to match your daytime load, not to maximise total capacity. SOL AI monitors your self-consumption ratio and helps you shift loads to peak generation hours.
How to Check Application Status
Contact your LESCO subdivision office with your application reference number. You can also call the LESCO helpline at 0800-63726 or visit the online portal to check status. For faster resolution, visit the office in person with a copy of your application receipt. LESCO sub-divisional officers (SDOs) handle net metering queries at the division level.
Common Issues and How to Avoid Them
• Transformer capacity limits: If your local distribution transformer is already heavily loaded, LESCO may reject the application until transformer capacity is upgraded. Check with your SDO before applying.
• Missing PEC licence: Applications without a valid PEC licence for the installer are rejected outright. Verify your installer’s licence status on the PEC website before proceeding.
• SLD errors: The single-line diagram must match the actual installation exactly. Discrepancies between the SLD and the installed system cause inspection failures.
• Sanctioned load mismatch: Your system capacity cannot exceed your sanctioned load. If it does, apply for a load enhancement through LESCO before submitting the net metering application.
• Seasonal backlogs: LESCO receives the highest volume of applications between March and June. Applications submitted in this window face longer processing times. Apply in winter if possible.
Solar Citizen Handles Everything
Every solar system we install in LESCO territory comes with full net metering service at no extra charge. We prepare the technical documentation, submit the application, coordinate the LESCO inspection, and follow up until your bidirectional meter is installed and generating credits. Our Lahore team has direct working relationships with LESCO subdivision offices across the city.
You focus on the savings. We handle the paperwork.
Get a free solar quote for your Lahore home or visit our Lahore solar installation page for pricing and area-specific details.