An EPC with projects in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati deals with three different DISCOMs in one state. The regulation is the same for all three. The offices, portals and field practice are not. That is where most Andhra Pradesh files slow down.
Quick answer. Andhra Pradesh solar net metering runs under APERC Regulation No. 4 of 2023 across APEPDCL, APCPDCL and APSPDCL. Net metering is capped at 500 kW for new projects, gross metering at 5 MW. Solar on one transformer cannot exceed 80% of its rating. Domestic systems up to 10 kW under PM Surya Ghar pay no application or net metering fees. A 2025 draft amendment proposes virtual net metering.
TL;DR
- Find the DISCOM first. APEPDCL serves the north coast, APCPDCL the central districts, APSPDCL the south and Rayalaseema.
- New net metering projects stop at 500 kW. Projects above that go to gross metering, up to 5 MW.
- Projects commissioned before the 2023 regulation keep their old terms, APERC confirmed in June 2026.
- Systems up to 10 kW are deemed feasible under the central 2024 consumer rules. Larger ones get a 15-day feasibility clock.
This is the state-wide companion to our APEPDCL solar net metering guide, which covers the north coastal DISCOM in detail. Use this page when your pipeline spans more than one Andhra Pradesh DISCOM.
Which DISCOM handles Andhra Pradesh solar net metering at your site?
Andhra Pradesh has three distribution companies. APCPDCL was carved out of APSPDCL by G.O. MS No. 41 of 12 December 2019 and began operating on 1 April 2020, per the World Bank’s 24x7 Power for All restructuring paper.
| DISCOM | Headquarters | Area (erstwhile districts) |
|---|---|---|
| APEPDCL (Eastern) | Visakhapatnam | Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari |
| APCPDCL (Central) | Vijayawada | Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam |
| APSPDCL (Southern) | Tirupati | Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa, Anantapur, Kurnool |
The state redrew its districts in 2022, so new district names may not match this table. Check the DISCOM name printed on the consumer’s electricity bill. That is the office that will process the file.
Who is eligible, and what are the size limits?
APERC’s Grid Interactive Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems Under Net/Gross Metering Regulations, 2023 (Regulation No. 4 of 2023) sets the limits for all three DISCOMs. The regulation cut the net metering cap from 1 MW to 500 kW and raised the gross metering cap from 1 MW to 5 MW, per Mercom India (July 2023).
| Rule | Value under Regulation 4 of 2023 |
|---|---|
| Net metering maximum (new projects) | 500 kW |
| Gross metering maximum | 5 MW |
| Minimum, single prosumer | 1 kW |
| Minimum, multiple services or group net metering | 5 kW |
| Solar on one transformer or feeder | Up to 80% of its rated capacity |
| Net or gross meter cost | Borne by the consumer |
The 80% transformer limit is a hard stop in practice. If you are weighing export models, see net metering vs net billing. A site can meet every other condition and still be refused because the local transformer has no solar headroom left.
What happens to projects between 500 kW and 1 MW built earlier?
They keep their original terms. In June 2026, APERC answered a question from APEPDCL and confirmed the 500 kWp cap is not retrospective. Clause 22, the grandfathering clause, protects systems commissioned before the regulation and projects under construction with approved feasibility, as reported by SolarQuarter.
What timelines apply to an Andhra Pradesh application?
The Ministry of Power’s Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2024 set national timelines that every DISCOM must follow. Mercom India summarised the February 2024 changes.
- Up to 10 kW. A complete application is deemed accepted without a technical feasibility study.
- Above 10 kW. The DISCOM must finish the feasibility study within 15 days. If it does not, feasibility is presumed.
- After installation. Once the consumer submits the installation certificate, the DISCOM has 15 days to sign the agreement, install the meter and commission the system.
These are central rules. When a sub-division office asks for a feasibility study on a 6 kW home system, the 2024 rules are your reference.
What documents should the file contain?
Each DISCOM’s portal sets the exact upload list, so download it fresh for every project. A complete technical file normally carries:
- Latest electricity bill showing the service number and sanctioned load.
- Proof of ownership or the owner’s consent for the roof.
- A single-line diagram showing modules, inverter, protection, net meter and, where required, the generation meter.
- Roof layout with module positions and cable routes.
- Module and inverter datasheets, with ALMM listing evidence where it applies.
- Earthing and lightning protection details.
- Signed net metering agreement. APERC kept this mandatory even where fees are waived.
Systems above the self-certification threshold need Electrical Inspectorate approval. Our CEIG drawing approval guide covers that route.
What does it cost to apply?
For homes, often nothing. In April 2025, APERC exempted domestic consumers from application fees and net metering charges for systems up to 10 kW under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. APEPDCL made the request, and the other two DISCOMs had asked for the same, per SolarQuarter (April 2025).
For C&I systems, fees follow the regulation and DISCOM schedules. Confirm the current amount on the portal before you quote. Our PM Surya Ghar explainer covers the subsidy side for residential work.
How are exports billed if a meter fails?
APERC issued guidelines in 2024 for defective or stopped net meters. Exports are estimated from the average of the last three billing cycles before the fault, as reported by Mercom India. The rule covers APEPDCL, APCPDCL and APSPDCL.
This matters for monitoring. If your client’s inverter data shows higher exports than the estimate, raise it with the DISCOM early, while the meter is being replaced.
What does the 2025 draft amendment change?
APERC released a draft first amendment to Regulation 4 of 2023 in March 2025 and a revised draft on 19 August 2025. It follows the state’s Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024. Energetica India (August 2025) lists the main proposals:
- Virtual net metering for housing societies and consumer groups, with credits split by contribution.
- DER aggregators that manage installations and subsidies under agreements with DISCOMs.
- Fees. No charge up to 5 kWp, scaling to ₹25,000 per MW above 1 MW.
- Agreement deadline. Four months after technical approval, or the application lapses.
- Behind-the-meter systems that never export, allowed at any size if reported to the DISCOM within 60 days.
We could not confirm that APERC has notified the final amendment as of October 2026. Check the APERC regulations page before you sell virtual net metering or price a file on the new fee table. Our roundup of DISCOM net metering changes in 2026 tracks similar moves in other states.
Most common reasons Andhra Pradesh files stall
Most stalls trace back to the rules above. The table orders them by the stage where they surface.
| Stage | Issue | Fix before submission |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Wrong DISCOM office for the new district | Check the DISCOM on the bill |
| Application | AC capacity above sanctioned load | Apply for load enhancement first |
| Feasibility | Transformer above 80% solar | Ask for headroom before design freeze |
| Feasibility | Above 500 kW on net metering | Resize, or move the project to gross metering |
| Drawings | SLD and datasheet ratings do not match | Cross-check every rating against the datasheet |
| Commissioning | Agreement unsigned | Sign it, even when fees are waived |
For a wider view of rejection patterns, see our DISCOM rejection reasons guide.
How Heaven Designs helps Andhra Pradesh EPCs
We prepare net metering and inspection drawing sets for EPCs who work across all three DISCOMs. Our electrical CEIG drawings and rooftop detailed engineering teams build SLDs, layouts and earthing details from your site data. The DISCOM and Inspectorate make the approval decision, so we do not promise one.
FAQ
What is the net metering limit in Andhra Pradesh?
500 kW for new projects under APERC Regulation 4 of 2023. Gross metering goes up to 5 MW. Projects commissioned earlier keep their original limits.
Is net metering free for homes in Andhra Pradesh?
For domestic systems up to 10 kW under PM Surya Ghar, APERC waived application fees and net metering charges in April 2025. The agreement is still required.
Is virtual net metering available in Andhra Pradesh?
It is proposed in the 2025 draft amendment. Treat it as unavailable until APERC notifies the final text.
Do the three DISCOMs follow different rules?
No. One APERC regulation covers all three. Portals, forms and field practice differ, so check each DISCOM’s current checklist.
Next step
Before your next Andhra Pradesh bid, confirm the DISCOM, the sanctioned load and transformer headroom. If you want the drawing set prepared, share the project details and we will reply within one business day.