Quick answer: Net metering lets your solar system export surplus power to the grid and get credited for it. In Kerala, apply through KSEB; in Tamil Nadu, through TANGEDCO. Both need a bi-directional meter and DISCOM approval, typically 2–4 weeks after installation.
On this page:
- What net metering means
- Net metering vs net billing
- KSEB process
- TANGEDCO process
- KSEB vs TANGEDCO compared
- Troubleshooting
What Net Metering Actually Means
A grid-connected solar system without net metering can still power your home directly during the day, but any surplus generation is simply lost and it has nowhere to go. Net metering is the arrangement that lets that surplus flow back into the grid and count against what you draw at night, settled through a single bidirectional meter that tracks both directions. Your utility bill reflects the net of the two: import minus export.
Some states are shifting from net metering to net billing, which settles import and export at different rates rather than a 1:1 credit, a meaningful difference for your actual savings. See Net Metering vs Net Billing: What Maharashtra’s Rules Mean for TN & Kerala and the full explainer, What Is Net Metering? A Complete Guide.
KSEB Net Metering (Kerala)
Kerala State Electricity Board handles net metering approval for the state. The general flow: your installer submits the net metering application alongside your PM Surya Ghar subsidy application, KSEB carries out a technical feasibility check, the bidirectional meter is installed once your solar system passes inspection, and the connection goes live settlement then runs on KSEB’s standard billing cycle.
TANGEDCO Net Metering (Tamil Nadu)
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation runs the equivalent process for Tamil Nadu. It typically runs in parallel with your PM Surya Ghar subsidy application; most installers file both simultaneously to avoid one holding up the other, since DISCOMs generally require net metering to be commissioned before releasing the subsidy payment.
KSEB vs TANGEDCO at a Glance
KSEB and TANGEDCO follow a similar net metering framework, but the application process, portal, and processing details can vary between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
| KSEB (Kerala) | TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu) | |
|---|---|---|
| Applies in | Kerala | Tamil Nadu |
| Typical approval time | 2–4 weeks after installation | 2–4 weeks after installation |
| Runs alongside | PM Surya Ghar subsidy application | PM Surya Ghar subsidy application |
| Meter type required | Bi-directional net meter | Bi-directional net meter |
| Where to start | Through your installer or KSEB’s portal | Through your installer or TANGEDCO’s portal |
Both DISCOMs follow the same broad national framework; the differences are mostly in portal interfaces and processing time, not in the underlying rules.
Common Issues
Delays and billing issues can occur due to documentation gaps, meter commissioning problems, or DISCOM processing backlogs.
Application delayed past the typical 2–4 week window
Usually a documentation gap (missing consumer number, mismatched load details) or a backlog at the DISCOM during peak application periods. Following up directly with your installer, who has visibility into the DISCOM’s queue, is faster than escalating yourself.
Export credit not showing on your bill
Confirm the meter is genuinely bidirectional and was commissioned correctly; a standard meter installed by mistake will only track import, not export. This is worth physically checking rather than assuming.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.How long does net metering approval take?
Typically 2-4 weeks from application to a commissioned bidirectional meter, assuming your installer has already completed the physical installation and your paperwork is in order.
2.Does net metering affect my subsidy?
No, they’re separate approvals, though most DISCOMs require net metering to be in place before releasing the PM Surya Ghar subsidy payment. See the Solar Subsidy & PM Surya Ghar Guide for the full subsidy process.
3.What happens to unused exported credit?
Depending on the DISCOM’s settlement cycle some settle monthly, others annually. Check your specific KSEB or TANGEDCO connection terms, since this can change with policy updates.
4.What’s the difference between net metering and net billing?
Net metering credits your exported units 1:1 against what you consume from the grid. Net billing settles import and export at different rates instead of a straight 1:1 swap. Some states are shifting toward this model, and it can meaningfully change your actual savings, so it’s worth checking which arrangement applies in your state before you size a system around projected savings.
5.Do I need net metering if I mostly use power during the day?
Net metering is still worth having even with high daytime self-consumption any surplus your system generates beyond what your home uses in that moment has nowhere to go without it, so you’d otherwise lose that generation rather than getting credit for it.