Includes the September 2026 Ministry of Energy directive that changed the rules for new solar connections. Informational only — no installer recommendations, no brand names.
What Just Changed (September 2026)
The Ministry of Energy has directed Electricity Distribution Lanka (EDL) — via a letter dated 11 September 2026 — to stop offering Net Metering and Net Accounting for new rooftop solar connections and agreement extensions. The directive implements the National Electricity Policy gazetted on 5 March 2026.
- New connections now run exclusively on the Net Plus scheme (feed-in tariff)
- Applies to grid clearances granted after 11 September 2026 (existing agreements keep their terms until expiry, then transition to Net Plus on extension)
- New rooftop solar agreements are capped at 12 years
- The PUCSL feed-in tariff rates themselves are unchanged
- The move is contested: the National Chamber of Commerce and the Electricity Consumers' Association have formally appealed it, and the Energy Ministry has said revised mechanisms are under discussion — rules may shift again
The Three Schemes — What They Meant
Net Metering (closed to new connections)
Your solar units cancel out your grid units, 1-for-1. Excess gets "banked" for up to 10 years — no cash payment, just energy credit. You only pay for net imported units, so solar erases your most expensive blocks first.
Net Accounting (closed to new connections)
Same metering, but excess exported energy was paid at an agreed feed-in tariff instead of only banked.
Net Plus (the only option for new systems)
Generation and consumption are metered separately — all solar output is exported to the grid and bought at the feed-in tariff, while you pay the normal tariff on every unit you consume. There is no self-consumption benefit under Net Plus: a unit you generate earns Rs. 23.11 (≤10 kW), but you still pay your slab rate for every unit you use.
Current Feed-in Rates (PUCSL, valid to 24 Feb 2027)
| System size | Rs./kWh generated |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 kW | 23.11 |
| 10–40 kW | 19.15 |
| 40–250 kW | 17.11 |
| Above 250 kW | 15.81 |
With battery storage: a higher prioritized rate of Rs. 45.53/kWh applies for the first 15 years, then Rs. 15.81/kWh.
Is Solar Still Worth It? Do the Math
Under Net Plus there is one income stream: the feed-in tariff on all generated units. Your own bill is unchanged — you pay it in full:
Example: a 3 kW home system generating ~360 kWh/month on a ~200-unit household:
- Feed-in income: 360 × 23.11 ≈ Rs. 8,320/month
- Your bill is unchanged (~Rs. 10,615 for 200 units) → net electricity cost ≈ Rs. 2,295/month
- Typical 3 kW installed cost ≈ Rs. 600,000–900,000 → payback ≈ 6–9 years on feed-in income alone
The honest caveat: under Net Plus you sell at Rs. 23.11/kWh but buy at Rs. 32.50–100/kWh — the gap is why consumer groups are fighting the change. Existing Net Metering customers keep their far better self-consumption benefit until their agreements expire.
Before You Buy
- Confirm the current scheme status with CEB/LECO — this transition is being actively contested (the National Chamber of Commerce has formally appealed it), so rules may shift again
- Size conservatively — under Net Plus every generated unit earns only ~Rs. 23 while every consumed unit still costs your full slab rate, so oversizing stretches payback
- Get the PUCSL tariff band confirmed in writing in your agreement — rates are reviewed periodically
- Check what your bill actually is first with the CEB & LECO bill calculator — that sets your true per-unit saving
Sources
- Ministry of Energy directive letter to Electricity Distribution Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, dated 11 September 2026 — reported by The Morning, Newswire, and The Sunday Times
- National Electricity Policy, gazetted 5 March 2026
- PUCSL — Rooftop Solar PV Connection Schemes & approved feed-in tariffs (effective 25 August 2026)
- Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024