{"id":353,"date":"2026-04-15T07:40:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T07:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.energyspoc.com\/blog\/?p=353"},"modified":"2026-04-15T07:40:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T07:40:41","slug":"is-net-metering-dead-the-truth-about-maharashtras-new-rooftop-solar-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.energyspoc.com\/blog\/is-net-metering-dead-the-truth-about-maharashtras-new-rooftop-solar-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Net Metering Dead? The Truth About Maharashtra\u2019s New Rooftop Solar Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been hearing a lot of chatter lately in Mumbai's residential societies and factory floor meetings. The rumor mill is working overtime, and the headline is usually some version of: \u201cNet metering is dead,\u201d or \u201cThe government is killing solar savings.\u201d <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re living in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and looking at your MSEDCL, Tata Power, or Adani Electricity bill with a sense of dread, you need the straight facts. Is net metering actually dead? <\/p>\n

Short answer: No.
\nLong answer: It\u2019s definitely changing, and if you try to use 2022 logic for a 2026 installation, you\u2019re going to lose money. <\/p>\n

The rules in Maharashtra just got a lot more specific, and honestly, a bit more restrictive. But if you play the game right: specifically by looking into energy storage<\/a>: you can still hit that sweet spot of a 3-year ROI. <\/p>\n

Here is what is actually happening on the ground in Maharashtra right now.<\/p>\n

The 1.25x Rule: The End of "Oversizing" Your System<\/h2>\n

For years, the rule was simple: you could install a solar system up to your sanctioned load. If you had a 10kW connection, you put up 10kW of panels. Easy. <\/p>\n

But as of February 2026, MSEDCL and other DISCOMs have thrown a wrench in the works. They\u2019ve introduced a capacity cap based on your average consumption over the last 12 months<\/strong>. Specifically, you can now only install a system that is 1.25 times your average annual usage. <\/p>\n

Why does this matter? Because many people in Mumbai have "peaky" consumption. You might blast the AC from March to June but barely use any power in the winter. Under the old rules, you\u2019d size your system for those peak months. Under the new rules, your system size is limited by those low-usage months. <\/p>\n

This is a massive shift. It means you can\u2019t just cover your entire roof with panels and hope to export the excess for a massive credit. The goal of the DISCOMs is clear: they want you to generate only what you need, not become a mini power plant.<\/p>\n

\"EnergySPOC's<\/p>\n

Net Metering vs. Net Billing: The "Sell Low, Buy High" Trap<\/h2>\n

This is where people get confused. Pure Net Metering<\/strong> (where 1 unit exported = 1 unit offset from your bill) is becoming a privilege, not a right. We are seeing a forced migration toward Net Billing<\/strong> (also known as Feed-in Tariff). <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the breakdown of why this hurts your wallet if you aren't prepared:<\/p>\n