Net Metering in Gujarat 2026: UGVCL, DGVCL, PGVCL & MGVCL

What Is Net Metering in Gujarat?

Net metering in Gujarat is the billing mechanism that credits a solar consumer for every unit of surplus electricity exported to a DISCOM's grid. A bi-directional meter tracks import and export separately, and export units offset the consumer's bill at the applicable tariff. Four DISCOMs administer it statewide: UGVCL, DGVCL, PGVCL, and MGVCL, each under the same GERC regulation but running its own portal and inspection team.

Gujarat applies net metering, not gross metering, to most residential and small commercial systems. That means exports are credited at the consumer's own tariff rate rather than a separate, lower feed-in rate, which makes rooftop solar economics stronger here than in gross-metering states.

What Are GERC's Net Metering Rules for 2026?

Net metering is available for systems between 1 kW and 1 MW, according to GERC's capacity amendment (2022), with residential rooftop capacity uncapped relative to sanctioned load. Non-residential consumers must keep rooftop capacity within 50% of sanctioned load during the first two years of the connectivity agreement.

The rules were simplified further under GERC's Fifth Amendment (December 2025), which removed the requirement for a separate written connectivity agreement on systems installed under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana - the commissioning date now automatically becomes the agreement's start date for PM Surya Ghar applications.

🛠 Practitioner's Note - At Raycal Power, we still see EPCs quoting pre-2022 capacity ceilings to non-residential clients. Confirm the current 1 kW–1 MW band and the 50% sanctioned-load rule for the first two years before finalizing a system size.

How Does the Gujarat Net Metering Application Process Work?

All four DISCOMs follow the same five-step approval ladder, since GERC's regulation is uniform statewide. Only the portal name, feasibility timelines, and document formats change by jurisdiction.

1. Application submission: consumer account number, proposed capacity, inverter make and model, EPC licence number, and single-line diagram.

2. Feasibility approval: the DISCOM checks feeder load and grid capacity at the connection point.

3. DISCOM sanction: the connectivity agreement is issued (or deemed active, for PM Surya Ghar systems).

4. Installation and inspection: CEA-compliant wiring, earthing, and net meter installation are verified on site.

5. Commissioning: the DISCOM records the bi-directional meter's baseline reading and the system goes live.

How Do UGVCL, DGVCL, PGVCL & MGVCL Processes Differ?

The five-step ladder above is identical across DISCOMs. What changes is jurisdiction, portal, and typical turnaround - relevant whether you're applying for a residential system or industrial rooftop solar systems that need higher-capacity sanction.

UGVCL - North Gujarat

Covers Ahmedabad's rural belt, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Patan, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Aravalli. Apply at ugvcl.in. EPCs report first-pass rejections tied to drawing formats that haven't been updated for GERC's 2023 amendment.

DGVCL - South Gujarat

Covers Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, and Valsad. Apply at dgvcl.in. DGVCL is generally regarded as the fastest-processing DISCOM among the four.

PGVCL - Saurashtra & Kutch

Covers Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, and Amreli, a large, dispersed territory. Apply at pgvcl.in. Inspector travel time across this geography can stretch the inspection stage.

MGVCL - Middle Gujarat

Covers Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, and Chhota Udaipur. Apply at mgvcl.com. Most residential systems complete the cycle in 30–45 days when the document set is correct on first submission.

How Do the Four DISCOMs Compare?

A side-by-side view helps EPCs and consumers set realistic timelines before submitting.

⚠️ Avoid This Mistake - The single biggest cause of first-pass rejection across all four DISCOMs is a single-line diagram that doesn't match the inverter's actual DC arc-fault and earthing specification sheet. Match the drawing to the datasheet before submission, not after a query.

How Is Net Metering Billed and Settled in Gujarat?

Each billing cycle nets export units against import units at the consumer's tariff rate. Any export credit that remains unconsumed at the end of the settlement year is paid out in cash at the DISCOM's average power purchase cost, typically ₹2.50–3.50 per unit, credited to the consumer's bank account. For a fuller breakdown of what net metering saves alongside central and state subsidies, see the Gujarat solar subsidy guide.

What Mistakes Delay Net Metering Approval?

• Applying with a sanctioned-load mismatch for non-residential consumers
• Skipping GEDA registration before DISCOM submission
• Using an inverter or EPC not on the DISCOM's approved/empanelled list
• Submitting a meter that isn't certified bi-directional
• Arriving at inspection without earthing and DC arc-fault compliance photos

🎯 Success Tip - Photograph every component - panels, mounting, DCDB, inverter, ACDB, earthing pit, and the net meter's initial import/export reading - on commissioning day. Inspectors move faster when documentation is already complete.

What Happens After Net Meter Commissioning?

Once the bi-directional meter is installed and the DISCOM records the baseline reading, the agreement is active and monthly export credits begin from the next billing cycle. Consumers can track generation and export through the DISCOM's portal, or book a free net metering feasibility survey before applying to confirm system sizing against sanctioned load.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a residential rooftop system in Gujarat exceed the sanctioned load?

Yes. Under GERC's 2017 and 2022 amendments, residential consumers can install rooftop solar irrespective of sanctioned load, while non-residential consumers are capped at 50% of sanctioned load for the first two years.

How long does net metering approval take in Gujarat?

Most residential systems complete the five-step cycle in 30–45 days when documents are correct on first submission. PGVCL's larger geography can push inspection timelines closer to 50 days.

What happens to unused export credits at year-end?

Export credits not consumed by the end of the settlement year are paid out in cash at the DISCOM's average power purchase cost.

Is a separate connectivity agreement still required under PM Surya Ghar?

No. GERC's Fifth Amendment, notified in December 2025, removed that requirement - the commissioning date now automatically becomes the agreement's start date.

Which DISCOM covers Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar?

UGVCL covers Ahmedabad's rural belt, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Patan, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, and Aravalli districts.

Can commercial or industrial consumers install net metering above 1 MW?

No. Net metering in Gujarat applies only up to 1 MW; larger systems typically use gross metering or open access under separate GERC regulations.