Net metering lets a solar owner send unused electricity to the grid and receive credit for it on the electricity bill. It was introduced by the Net Metering Guidelines 2018 and is now the most common way factories, offices and homes in Bangladesh connect rooftop solar.
This guide explains who can apply, how the credit works and what the application involves, so you know what to expect before you sign a solar contract.
Who qualifies
Any consumer with a three-phase connection from a distribution utility (DESCO, DPDC, NESCO, BREB or BPDB) can apply. Single-phase homes usually need to upgrade their connection first.
The size of the solar system is limited to 70% of your sanctioned load. A factory with a 500 kW sanctioned load can therefore install up to 350 kW under net metering.
| Sanctioned load | Maximum solar size | Typical roof needed |
|---|---|---|
| 15 kW | 10.5 kW | 950 sq ft |
| 100 kW | 70 kW | 6,300 sq ft |
| 500 kW | 350 kW | 31,500 sq ft |
| 1,500 kW | 1,050 kW | 94,500 sq ft |
How the bill is calculated
A bidirectional meter records two numbers every month: units imported from the grid and units exported to it. You pay only for the difference.
If you export more than you import in a month, the extra units are carried forward to the next bill. Any balance left at the end of the financial year is settled by the utility at the applicable rate.
What you need to apply
- A copy of the latest electricity bill and the connection details
- Single-line diagram of the proposed system
- Datasheets and type-test certificates for the panels and inverter
- Proof of anti-islanding protection on the inverter
- A completed application form for your distribution utility
Tip: Ask your EPC company to submit the application before installation starts. Approval can take four to eight weeks, and the plant cannot export until the bidirectional meter is fitted.
The application process step by step
- Design. Your installer sizes the system and prepares the single-line diagram.
- Application. The documents are submitted to the utility's local office.
- Inspection. Utility engineers inspect the site after installation.
- Meter change. The bidirectional meter is installed and sealed.
- Agreement. You sign the net-metering agreement and start receiving credits.
Is it worth it?
For most commercial buildings, yes. Daytime loads absorb most of the generation, and net metering means weekend and holiday production is not wasted. Combined with the 1% import tax on solar equipment, payback periods of four to six years are common.
We prepare and submit the net-metering paperwork for every system we build, and we follow it until the new meter is installed.
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