Solar Panel Net Metering in Pakistan

What is Solar Net Metering?

Solar net metering is a system that allows solar energy users to generate their own electricity using solar panels and send excess power back to the grid. When your solar system generates more energy than your home or business consumes, the excess electricity is sent to the grid, and you receive credits from your utility provider. These credits are applied to your next electricity bill, helping to offset future energy consumption. The net meter records both the energy consumed and the energy exported, ensuring you only pay for the net electricity you use.

What is Solar Net Metering in Pakistan?

Solar net metering in Pakistan is a system approved by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), allowing residential, commercial, and industrial users to generate solar power and export excess electricity back to the national grid. Under this policy, solar energy users are compensated for surplus energy, reducing their electricity bills. The system is designed to promote renewable energy and decrease reliance on the national grid while supporting environmental sustainability.

What Are the Peak Hours for Net Metering in Pakistan?

In Pakistan, the peak hours for net metering typically coincide with the hours when solar energy generation is at its highest, generally during the day when the sun is brightest. These hours are usually:

• Morning: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• Afternoon: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

During these hours, the solar panels generate the most electricity, and any excess power produced is sent back to the grid, providing you with the maximum benefit in terms of credits.

What is 100 kW Net Metering?

A 100 kW net metering system refers to a solar power system with a capacity of 100 kilowatts (kW), where the total power output of the system is connected to the grid, and the excess energy is exported back to the utility company. The 100 kW net metering system can support medium to large-scale residential, commercial, or industrial setups. The energy credits earned from the surplus electricity help to offset the costs of electricity consumption from the grid.

How Do You Calculate Net Metering?

Net metering is calculated by comparing the amount of electricity your solar system produces to the amount of electricity you consume. The process involves the following:

1. Energy Generation: The total amount of energy your solar panels generate during the billing period.

2. Energy Consumption: The total amount of energy you consume from the grid during the same period.

3. Net Metering: The difference between the two. If your solar system produces more energy than you use, the surplus energy is exported to the grid, and you are credited for that surplus.

For example, if you produce 1,500 kWh of solar energy and consume 1,200 kWh from the grid, your net metering credit would be 300 kWh, which you can use to offset your future energy consumption.

What is the Power Output of a 100 kW Solar System?

The power output of a 100 kW solar system depends on factors like the efficiency of the panels, location, and weather conditions. However, under optimal conditions, a 100 kW solar system can generate approximately:

• 400 to 500 kWh of electricity per day, assuming average sun exposure (depending on the geographic location and weather).

• 12,000 to 15,000 kWh per month (based on an average of 5 peak sunlight hours per day).

This output is enough to power a medium to large-sized commercial or industrial building.

How Many Panels for 100 kW?

The number of solar panels needed for a 100 kW system depends on the power rating of each panel. On average, a solar panel produces around 300 watts (0.3 kW) of electricity. To calculate the number of panels needed for a 100 kW system:

Number of Panels=Total System SizePanel Size\text{Number of Panels} = \frac{\text{Total System Size}}{\text{Panel Size}}Number of Panels=Panel SizeTotal System Size​ Number of Panels=100 kW0.3 kW=333.33 panels\text{Number of Panels} = \frac{100\, \text{kW}}{0.3\, \text{kW}} = 333.33 \, \text{panels}Number of Panels=0.3kW100kW​=333.33panels

So, you would need approximately 334 solar panels to generate 100 kW of electricity, assuming each panel is 300 watts.

How Many kW Does a 10 kW Solar System Produce?

A 10 kW solar system typically produces around 40 to 50 kWh per day under optimal conditions, assuming about 5 peak sunlight hours per day. Over a month, this would result in:

$$40\text{kWh/day}\times 30\text{days}=1,200\text{kWh/month}$$

Therefore, a 10 kW solar system can produce around 1,200 kWh per month.

What is the Cost of a 120 kW Solar System?

The cost of a 120 kW solar system varies depending on factors like the location, installation fees, type of solar panels, and the provider. On average, the cost for a solar system in Pakistan can range from PKR 60,000 to 90,000 per kW for installation, including the cost of solar panels, inverter, net meter, and other accessories.

So, for a 120 kW system, the total cost would be:

$$\text{Cost}=120\text{kW}\times \text{Cost per kW}$$

If we take the average cost of PKR 75,000 per kW, the total cost for a 120 kW solar system would be:

$$120\times 75,000=\text{PKR 9,000,000}$$

The cost can vary based on market rates and other specific factors.