Net Metering Process in MP: Step-by-Step Guide for DISCOM Customers

Net metering is what actually turns your solar system into bill savings — it's the mechanism that credits you for excess power your panels send back to the grid. Here's the process, step by step, for a residential system in Madhya Pradesh.

The 5-step process

1. Installation is completed. Your solar system is fully installed and commissioned by your installer — this is the 3-5 day physical install most residential systems take.
2. Net metering application is submitted. Your installer files the net metering application with your local DISCOM, along with the installation documents and system specifications.
3. DISCOM site inspection. The DISCOM schedules a site visit to verify the installed system matches what was applied for. This step is a common source of delay if scheduling is slow.
4. Bidirectional meter installation. The DISCOM installs a bidirectional meter that separately tracks power you draw from the grid and power your system exports back to it.
5. Net metering agreement goes live. Once the meter is installed and verified, billing switches to a net-consumption model — you're billed only for the difference between what you drew and what you exported.

How long does this actually take?

Budget 30-45 days after installation for the full net metering setup to complete. This is separate from — and comes after — the 3-5 day physical installation and the 1-2 week subsidy/permit approval that happens before installation starts. Combined, the full journey from application to a fully net-metered system typically runs 4-8 weeks.

How billing actually works once it's live

At the end of each billing cycle, you're charged only for your net consumption — the power you drew from the grid minus the power you exported. If your system generates more than you use in a given cycle, the surplus carries forward as a credit rather than being paid out in cash. Over a full year, most well-sized residential systems in Bhopal (which receives roughly 5.2 peak sun hours/day) bring bills close to zero.

Common delays to watch for

The most common bottleneck is DISCOM inspection scheduling, not the paperwork itself. An installer who has handled many net metering applications with your specific DISCOM will know the typical wait times and can flag if your timeline is running longer than normal.