BESCOM Net Metering: Step-by-Step Application Guide 2025

The BESCOM net metering process is what makes rooftop solar financially viable in Bangalore. Without net metering, any electricity your panels generate beyond your immediate consumption is wasted. With net metering, that surplus flows into the BESCOM grid, earns you bill credits, and effectively turns your solar system into a miniature power plant that pays you back around the clock. This guide covers everything you need to know about applying for BESCOM net metering in 2025 — eligibility, documents, the step-by-step process, and how Pratham Solar manages the entire application on your behalf.

What is BESCOM Net Metering?

Net metering is a billing arrangement between a rooftop solar owner and BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company) that allows you to export surplus electricity to the grid and receive credit against your consumption. When your solar panels are generating more power than your home or office is consuming — typically during midday hours — the excess flows back into the BESCOM distribution network. A bi-directional meter records both the electricity you draw from the grid and the electricity you export to it.

At the end of each billing cycle, BESCOM calculates the net: units consumed minus units exported. If you consumed more than you exported, you pay for the net difference at normal tariff rates. If you exported more than you consumed, the surplus credit is carried forward to the next billing cycle. Importantly, BESCOM does not pay out cash for excess exported units — surplus credits accumulate on your account and are applied to future bills. This is why Pratham Solar always recommends sizing your solar system so that monthly generation closely matches monthly consumption, avoiding unnecessary accumulation of credits you cannot monetise.

Net metering in Karnataka is governed by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) Net Metering Regulations, implemented through the DISCOMs including BESCOM. The framework was last updated in 2022 and has been largely stable since, providing a predictable basis for solar investment decisions.

Who is Eligible for BESCOM Net Metering?

BESCOM net metering is available to a wide range of consumers. The key eligibility criteria are:

• Any BESCOM consumer — domestic, commercial, or industrial — with a rooftop solar installation on the premises connected to the BESCOM meter
• The solar system must be installed by a BESCOM-empanelled solar installer. Installers not on the empanelled list cannot submit net metering applications on your behalf
• System capacity must not exceed the sanctioned load of the connection (or 90% of it, as specified in KERC regulations)
• The property must be served by BESCOM. BESCOM serves Bangalore Urban district and seven surrounding districts: Bengaluru Rural, Tumkur, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Davanagere, and Shimoga — a total of 8 districts across central and southern Karnataka
• Both owned and rented properties qualify for net metering, provided the tenant has a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner for installation of solar panels on the roof

Documents Required for BESCOM Net Metering Application

Gathering the correct documents before submission is critical to avoiding delays. The following documents are required for a BESCOM net metering application:

• Form-1 — the standard BESCOM net metering application form, available for download from the BESCOM website or from the BESCOM subdivision office. Must be signed by the consumer.
• Installation completion certificate — issued by the solar installer after the system is commissioned. Pratham Solar provides this automatically upon completion of every installation.
• Single line diagram (SLD) of the solar system — a technical diagram showing the solar array, inverter, AC/DC wiring, metering arrangement, and grid connection point. Prepared by the installer's technical team.
• BESCOM consumer number and latest electricity bill — to verify the connection details and confirm eligibility under the sanctioned load.
• ID proof — Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport of the applicant (the BESCOM account holder).
• Property ownership documents or NOC from owner — sale deed, khata, or property tax receipt for owned property; a signed NOC from the owner for rented premises.
• Technical specification sheets of the solar panels and inverter — manufacturer datasheets confirming the equipment meets BESCOM's technical standards.
• Net connection agreement — a standard agreement between the consumer and BESCOM governing the net metering arrangement. Prepared by the installer and signed by both parties.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The BESCOM net metering application follows a defined sequence of steps. Here is the complete process from system installation to operational net metering:

1. Solar installation complete — the installer commissions the solar system and issues an installation completion certificate. At Pratham Solar, we prepare all documentation at this stage without requiring any action from the customer.
2. Prepare single line diagram — the installer's technical team prepares the SLD of the installed system. This is a mandatory technical document for BESCOM review.
3. Submit application — Form-1, SLD, installation certificate, and all supporting documents are submitted to the BESCOM subdivision office that covers your area. Submissions can also be made through the BESCOM online portal for eligible consumers.
4. BESCOM processes the application — the subdivision office reviews the documents and schedules a physical site inspection. Processing time from submission to inspection scheduling is typically 15–30 days, depending on subdivision workload.
5. BESCOM site inspection — a BESCOM engineer visits the property to verify the installation matches the SLD and meets technical requirements. This inspection typically takes 30–60 minutes. Ensure the system is accessible and fully commissioned for the inspection.
6. BESCOM approval and work order — if the inspection is satisfactory, BESCOM approves the application and issues an internal work order for bi-directional meter procurement and installation.
7. Bi-directional meter installed — BESCOM replaces your existing single-direction meter with a certified bi-directional meter capable of recording both import and export. This typically takes 30–60 days from the work order date, depending on meter availability.
8. Net metering agreement signed — BESCOM formalises the arrangement by having the consumer sign the net metering agreement. This is the final step before the system is officially registered as a net metering installation.
9. System operational under net metering — from the date the bi-directional meter is installed and the agreement signed, your exported units begin accumulating as credits on your BESCOM account.

Timeline — How Long Does BESCOM Net Metering Take?

The full process from application submission to bi-directional meter installation and operational net metering typically takes 45–90 days. Here is the typical breakdown:

• Application submission to site inspection: 15–30 days
• Site inspection to BESCOM approval: 7–15 days
• Approval to bi-directional meter installation: 30–45 days

These timelines apply to unassisted applications — individual consumers applying on their own, potentially making multiple trips to the BESCOM subdivision office. Pratham Solar submits applications on behalf of all customers and follows up proactively with the BESCOM subdivision, which typically reduces the overall timeline. Customers who install with Pratham Solar usually have bi-directional meters operational within 60–75 days of system commissioning.

In the period between installation and bi-directional meter commissioning, your solar system generates electricity and reduces your consumption from the grid — but surplus export is not credited. This is a normal part of the process; you are still saving on your bills through self-consumption.

How Net Billing Works — What Do You Get Paid?

BESCOM credits exported units at ₹3.56 per unit (the current KERC-notified rate for domestic consumers as of 2025 — subject to revision by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission). This is the rate at which your exported electricity is valued on your bill. However, the effective value is higher because of how it offsets your import:

• One unit exported earns a ₹3.56 credit. When you draw that equivalent unit from the grid at night, it offsets a charge of ₹6–10 per unit (depending on your slab). So the effective economic value of each exported unit is ₹6–10, not ₹3.56.
• At the end of the billing cycle, your net consumption (units drawn minus units exported) is what you pay for. If your solar system is well-sized, this net figure can be close to zero — effectively bringing your electricity bill to near zero (you still pay fixed charges and other levies).
• Excess credits — when exports exceed imports in a billing cycle — carry forward to the next month. They do not expire within the financial year. Pratham Solar recommends designing systems so monthly generation tracks monthly consumption closely, avoiding large credit accumulations that can take years to utilise.

For a typical 3 kW system in a Bangalore home with a ₹3,000/month electricity bill, the result is a bill reduction to ₹200–500/month (fixed charges only) after net metering is operational — a saving of ₹2,500–2,800 per month.

Common Reasons for BESCOM Net Metering Rejection

Net metering applications are rejected or delayed for predictable, avoidable reasons. The most common issues are:

• Installer not on BESCOM's empanelled solar installer list — the most common and most avoidable reason for rejection
• Incomplete documentation — missing Form-1, missing SLD, missing installation completion certificate, or missing property documents
• System capacity exceeding the sanctioned load of the BESCOM connection
• Incorrect or unsigned documents — Form-1 must be signed by the BESCOM account holder, not a family member or tenant
• Site inspection failure due to installation defects — substandard wiring, missing earthing, or inverter not meeting technical specifications
• Submitting the application before system commissioning is complete

Pratham Solar is BESCOM empanelled and handles all documentation preparation, submission, and follow-up. The rejection rate for Pratham Solar net metering applications is under 2% — those rare cases are typically due to consumer-side issues such as property ownership document discrepancies, which we help resolve.

How Pratham Solar Handles BESCOM Net Metering for You

Net metering is included as part of every Pratham Solar installation at no additional charge. Our process is entirely managed — you do not need to visit any BESCOM office, collect any forms, or follow up on your application. Here is what we handle on your behalf:

• Preparation of the installation completion certificate immediately upon system commissioning
• Preparation of the single line diagram by our in-house technical team
• Compilation of all required documents and submission to the relevant BESCOM subdivision office
• Coordination with the BESCOM engineer for the site inspection date
• On-site support during the BESCOM inspection to answer technical queries
• Follow-up with BESCOM subdivision until the work order for bi-directional meter is issued
• Notification to the customer when the bi-directional meter is installed and net metering is operational

For customers applying for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, Pratham Solar additionally handles the portal upload of installation certificates and net metering approval to trigger subsidy disbursement. Read our guide to solar panel costs in Bangalore 2025 and our PM Surya Ghar subsidy guide for Karnataka for more context on how net metering fits into the overall solar investment picture.