Net metering in India changes one state regulator at a time. Between November 2025 and October 2026, Telangana replaced its rules outright and Kerala’s new regulations took effect. Andhra Pradesh clarified which projects keep old terms. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh both still have draft rules pending. An EPC working across southern states is quoting against four different rulebooks.
Quick answer. The main DISCOM net metering changes in 2026 are state-level. Telangana’s Regulation No. 1 of 2025 took effect on 15 November 2025, with a 500 kWp net metering cap. Kerala’s 2025 regulations replaced its 2020 rules and restructured billing. APERC confirmed in June 2026 that its 500 kW cap is not retrospective. Tamil Nadu’s and Andhra Pradesh’s draft amendments were still unconfirmed as final.
TL;DR
- Final and in force: Telangana's 2025 rooftop regulation and Kerala's 2025 renewable energy regulations.
- Clarified: Andhra Pradesh projects between 500 kW and 1 MW built before 2023 keep their old terms.
- Still draft, as far as we could confirm: Andhra Pradesh's 2025 amendment and Tamil Nadu's 2024 regulations.
- The central 2024 consumer rules still set the 10 kW deemed-feasibility and 15-day timelines everywhere.
This tracker covers state regulation changes. Central changes on ALMM module sourcing, and Maharashtra’s open access order, are in our DISCOM net metering compliance update. Read the two together.
Which DISCOM net metering changes in 2026 are final, and which are still draft?
Status matters more than content. A draft can change before notification, so never design or price a project on draft terms.
| State | Instrument | Status (checked October 2026) | What changes for the EPC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telangana | TGERC Regulation No. 1 of 2025 | In force from 15 November 2025 | New caps, GNM and VNM, 25-year term |
| Kerala | KSERC (Renewable Energy and Related Matters) Regulations, 2025 | In force; final limits need gazette check | Billing mechanism depends on size and storage |
| Andhra Pradesh | APERC clarification on Regulation 4 of 2023 | Issued June 2026 | Grandfathering for older large projects |
| Andhra Pradesh | Revised draft first amendment, 19 August 2025 | Draft, final not confirmed | VNM, new fee table, proposed |
| Tamil Nadu | Draft GISS Regulations, 2024 | Draft, final not confirmed | GNM and VNM, proposed |
| All states | Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2024 | In force since February 2024 | 10 kW deemed feasible, 15-day clocks |
What changed in Telangana?
Telangana replaced its 2016 net metering rules with the TGERC Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems Regulation, 2025. It took effect on 15 November 2025, on publication in the state gazette, per Power Peak Digest (November 2025).
- Net metering up to 500 kWp for every category except temporary supply.
- Gross metering up to 1 MWp.
- Group and virtual net metering below 100 kWp. Group net metering is limited to domestic and residential colony categories.
- No feasibility study for systems up to 10 kWp.
- Transformer data. DISCOMs must publish transformer-wise and feeder-wise spare capacity and update it every quarter.
- Term. The arrangement runs 25 years from grid connection.
Reports differ on the Electrical Inspector threshold. One summary gives 56 kWp and another 75 kW. Check the gazette text on the TGERC website before you plan a self-certified project in that range. For the TSSPDCL workflow, see our TSSPDCL net metering guide.
What changed in Kerala?
KSERC published its draft Renewable Energy and Related Matters Regulations on 30 May 2025. The draft limited net metering to 3 kW, or 5 kW with at least 30% storage. Larger systems would move to net billing, per SolarQuarter (June 2025).
The 3 kW proposal drew strong objections. Mercom India reported that installers warned it would make most home systems unviable.
The final regulations are in force. Installer summaries report the new billing starting on 1 January 2026, but we could not confirm that date with KSERC.
We also found conflicting summaries of the final size limits and storage conditions, all from installers rather than KSERC. So we are not repeating them here. Read the gazetted text before you size a Kerala home system above 3 kW. Our KSEB net metering guide covers the application side.
What changed in Andhra Pradesh?
Two things, one final and one not.
Final: grandfathering. APERC Regulation No. 4 of 2023 cut the net metering cap from 1 MW to 500 kW. In June 2026, APERC confirmed the cap does not apply to projects commissioned before the regulation, or to those under construction with approved feasibility. SolarQuarter reported the clarification.
Draft: the 2025 amendment. The revised draft of August 2025 proposes virtual net metering, DER aggregators, a new fee table and a four-month agreement deadline. Our Andhra Pradesh solar net metering guide covers it in full.
What is pending in Tamil Nadu?
TNERC’s draft GISS Regulations, 2024 propose group net metering for domestic consumers and virtual net metering for government bodies. Public comments closed in July 2024, per Mercom India. We could not confirm a final notified version by October 2026.
Until then, the 2021 GISS tariff order still sets network charges and feed-in tariffs. Our Tamil Nadu solar policy guide explains how those layers fit together.
Which central rules still apply in every state?
The Ministry of Power’s Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2024 did not change in 2026. They still override slower state practice on three points, per Mercom India:
- Complete applications up to 10 kW are deemed accepted without a feasibility study.
- Feasibility for larger systems must finish in 15 days, or it is presumed.
- After the installation certificate, the DISCOM has 15 days to sign, meter and commission.
State regulations now repeat these rules. Telangana’s 10 kWp feasibility exemption is one example.
What should an EPC change in its design file?
Each change above lands somewhere specific in your drawings or proposal. The table maps it.
| Change | Where it lands | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Telangana 500 kWp and 1 MWp caps | Capacity on the SLD and application | Size to the cap for the chosen mechanism |
| Telangana transformer disclosure | Pre-design feasibility | Check the published spare capacity first |
| Kerala size and storage conditions | Proposal and battery scope | Read the gazette before quoting above 3 kW |
| AP grandfathering | Capacity additions to old plants | Ask the DISCOM whether an addition loses old terms |
| AP and TN draft VNM | Sales pitch | Do not sell it until notified |
| Central 10 kW rule | Residential files | Cite it when an office asks for a study |
The AP grandfathering point needs care. A clarification about existing plants says nothing about expansions. Get the DISCOM’s answer in writing before adding capacity to a 700 kW plant on old terms.
How do you keep a state tracker current?
Treat regulator websites as the source and news as an alert. A light routine works for most EPCs:
- Check the SERC “regulations” and “orders” pages for each active state once a month.
- Log the instrument name, number, notification date and status in one sheet.
- Flag every draft instrument. Do not let draft terms reach a proposal.
- Re-read the net metering glossary entry and DISCOM checklist before each new state.
FAQ
Did India change net metering nationally in 2026?
No. Net metering caps and billing are set by each state commission, and the changes in 2026 were state-level. The central 2024 rules on timelines still apply.
What is Telangana’s new net metering limit?
500 kWp for all categories except temporary supply, under TGERC Regulation No. 1 of 2025, in force since 15 November 2025.
Has Kerala capped net metering at 3 kW?
The 2025 draft proposed it. Summaries of the final rules disagree, so confirm the limit in the KSERC gazette before you design.
Can I offer virtual net metering in Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu?
Not yet, as far as we could confirm. Both appear only in draft regulations.
Next step
If a rule change has left drawing sets in your pipeline out of date, we can revise them. Our electrical CEIG drawings team handles SLD and layout updates. Send us the project list and we will reply within one business day.