Pakistan

Solar payback calculator

See how many years solar takes to pay for itself under the new net billing rules, and what it saves over 25 years.

Pays for itself in3.2 years
Savings in the first year (About 18,452 a month)
PKR 221,425
Savings over 25 years
PKR 13,207,048
Net gain after the system cost
PKR 12,457,048
Units in the first year
7,260
Savings against what you paidSolar has paid for itself where the savings line crosses the cost line.
033 L66 L99 L1.3 CrY0Y3Y6Y9Y12Y15Y18Y21Y24
  • Total savings
  • System cost
Savings each yearRises with the grid tariff and falls slowly as panels age.
Y1Y4Y7Y10Y13Y16Y19Y22Y25
  • Savings

Year by year

YearUnits madeGrid rateSavingsTotal so far
17,260PKR 50PKR 221,425PKR 221,425
27,224PKR 54PKR 234,765PKR 456,191
37,187PKR 58PKR 249,116PKR 705,307
47,151PKR 63PKR 264,554PKR 969,861
57,116PKR 68PKR 281,159PKR 1,251,020
67,080PKR 73PKR 299,018PKR 1,550,038
77,045PKR 79PKR 318,225PKR 1,868,262
87,010PKR 86PKR 338,880PKR 2,207,143
96,974PKR 93PKR 361,092PKR 2,568,235
106,940PKR 100PKR 384,976PKR 2,953,210
116,905PKR 108PKR 410,657PKR 3,363,867
126,870PKR 117PKR 438,269PKR 3,802,137
136,836PKR 126PKR 467,956PKR 4,270,093
146,802PKR 136PKR 499,873PKR 4,769,965
156,768PKR 147PKR 534,185PKR 5,304,151
166,734PKR 159PKR 571,073PKR 5,875,223
176,700PKR 171PKR 610,727PKR 6,485,950
186,667PKR 185PKR 653,353PKR 7,139,303
196,634PKR 200PKR 699,175PKR 7,838,478
206,600PKR 216PKR 748,429PKR 8,586,907
216,567PKR 233PKR 801,372PKR 9,388,279
226,534PKR 252PKR 858,279PKR 10,246,558
236,502PKR 272PKR 919,446PKR 11,166,005
246,469PKR 294PKR 985,190PKR 12,151,195
256,437PKR 317PKR 1,055,853PKR 13,207,048
  • The export rate is held flat. If it rises with energy prices, payback is a little shorter.
  • Panels are assumed to lose 0.5% of output a year. Inverter replacement, cleaning and repairs are not included.
  • Export rate last checked 2026-10-22. NEPRA Prosumer Regulations 2026. The Rs 11 export rate is widely reported but its final notification is disputed.

About this calculator

From 9 February 2026, new rooftop solar connections in Pakistan moved from net metering to net billing. Units you use yourself still save you the full grid rate, but units you send to the grid are paid at a much lower export rate.

That makes how much of your solar you use yourself the biggest factor in payback. Change it below and watch the payback period move.

How it works

  • Units made each year are kW × sun hours × 0.78 × 365, falling by 0.5% a year as panels age.
  • Units you use yourself save the grid rate, which rises each year by the percentage you choose.
  • Exported units earn the export rate under net billing, or the grid rate under 1:1 net metering.
  • Payback is when total savings first equal the system cost.

Common questions

What changed with net billing in 2026?
Under NEPRA's Prosumer Regulations 2026, new connections are paid a lower rate for exported units instead of swapping them one for one with units bought from the grid. Existing net metering agreements continue until they expire.
How can I shorten the payback?
Use more of your solar yourself. Run ACs, water pumps, irons and washing machines during the day, and avoid oversizing the system.
Is the Rs 11 export rate final?
It is the figure most widely reported, but sources disagree on whether it has been formally notified. You can change it in the calculator.

An estimate only. Tariffs and solar rules change. Check your DISCO's current terms.

Car loan calculatorWork out the monthly instalment, total markup and cost of a car loan in rupees.Marla and kanal converterConvert marla, kanal, square feet, square yards, square metres and acres in one go.House construction cost calculatorEstimate the cost of building a house, split into grey structure and finishing, with a rough material list.Zakat calculatorAdd up your wealth, see whether it reaches the nisab, and find the zakat you owe.