Have you recently installed a rooftop solar system under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
Are you wondering how your monthly electricity bill will look after installing an on-grid solar system?
Will your electricity bill become zero?
How does the Net Meter calculate imported and exported electricity?
Why do some homeowners still receive an electricity bill even after generating hundreds of units from their rooftop solar panels?
If these questions are on your mind, you're not alone.
Thousands of consumers across Odisha are installing rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. While many people understand the subsidy process, very few know how electricity billing actually works after the solar system is commissioned.
In this detailed guide, we'll decode a real TPCODL on-grid solar electricity bill and explain every important section in simple language. You'll learn how imported units, exported units, solar generation, and net billable units are calculated—and how these values affect your monthly electricity bill.
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| How PM Surya Ghar On-Grid Solar Electricity Bills Are Calculated – Real TPCODL Net Meter Bill Explained (2026 Guide) - PSP STUDIO ODIA |
📑 Table of Contents
- How On-Grid Solar Works
- What is a Net Meter?
- Import vs Export Explained
- Real TPCODL Bill Breakdown
- Net Meter Calculation Formula
- Professional Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Does an On-Grid Solar System Work?
Before decoding the electricity bill, it's important to understand how an on-grid rooftop solar system actually works.
Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, most residential consumers install a grid-connected rooftop solar system.
The main components include:
- Solar Panels
- On-Grid Solar Inverter
- Net Meter
- Distribution Board
- Utility Grid
During the daytime, the solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity.
The On-Grid Solar Inverter converts this DC electricity into AC electricity that can be used inside your home.
Your home always consumes solar electricity first.
If your solar system generates more electricity than your home is consuming, the surplus electricity automatically flows into the electricity grid.
When solar generation is low—or at night—your home automatically imports electricity from the utility grid.
Daytime + Solar Generation → Home Uses Solar First
Extra Solar → Exported to Grid
Night Time → Import Electricity from Grid
What is a Net Meter?
A Net Meter is a special bidirectional electricity meter installed with your rooftop solar system.
Unlike a traditional electricity meter that records only electricity consumption, a Net Meter records electricity flowing in both directions.
| Direction | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Import | Electricity taken from the utility grid. |
| Export | Surplus solar electricity sent back to the grid. |
The Net Meter automatically records both values separately.
These readings form the basis of your monthly electricity bill.
Understanding Import and Export Units
What is Import?
Import units represent the electricity you consume from the utility grid.
This usually happens:
- During the night
- On cloudy days
- When your household load exceeds solar generation
For example:
If your home consumes 10 units at night, those 10 units are recorded as Import Units.
What is Export?
Export units represent the excess solar electricity sent to the utility grid.
Suppose your rooftop solar system generates 15 units during the day.
Your home uses only 9 units.
The remaining 6 units automatically flow back into the electricity grid.
These are recorded as Export Units.
Solar Generated = 15 Units
Home Consumption = 9 Units
Export = 6 Units
Why Doesn't the Solar Generation Equal the Export Units?
This is one of the biggest misconceptions among new rooftop solar owners.
Many people believe that if their solar system generates 300 units in a month, all 300 units should be exported to the electricity grid.
That is incorrect.
Your home always consumes solar electricity first.
Only the surplus electricity is exported.
Let's look at a simple example.
| Description | Units |
|---|---|
| Total Solar Generation | 320 Units |
| Used Directly in Home | 220 Units |
| Exported to Grid | 100 Units |
Although the solar system generated 320 units, only 100 units were exported because the remaining 220 units were consumed instantly inside the home.
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| How PM Surya Ghar On-Grid Solar Electricity Bills Are Calculated – Real TPCODL Net Meter Bill Explained (2026 Guide) - PSP STUDIO ODIA |
Why Your Electricity Bill Doesn't Become Zero Automatically
Another common misunderstanding is that installing rooftop solar completely eliminates electricity bills.
In reality, your final bill depends on several factors, including:
- Total electricity imported from the grid
- Electricity exported to the grid
- Applicable tariff
- Fixed charges
- Meter rent
- Electricity duty and other applicable charges
Even if your imported units reduce significantly, some fixed or regulated charges may still appear on the bill depending on the applicable tariff and regulations.
The biggest benefit of rooftop solar is not that every bill becomes zero. The real advantage is that your imported electricity from the grid can reduce substantially, leading to significant savings over time.
Real TPCODL On-Grid Solar Bill Explained (Live Bill Analysis)
Now let's decode a real electricity bill of a residential consumer who has installed a 3.05 kW rooftop solar system under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
This example helps you understand how TPCODL calculates electricity consumption after installing an on-grid solar system with a Net Meter.
System Details
- DISCOM: TPCODL
- Consumer Category: Domestic
- Sanctioned Load: 3.00 kW
- Installed Solar Capacity: 3.05 kW
- Billing Type: Net Metering
Understanding the Net Meter Billing Annexure
If you open the Net Meter Billing Annexure attached to your TPCODL bill, you will find several technical terms that often confuse new solar consumers.
Let's understand each one with actual numbers.
1. Power Imported from TPCODL (A)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Imported From Grid (A) | 241.91 Units |
This is the electricity you purchased from the utility grid during the billing cycle.
Remember, your rooftop solar system cannot generate electricity at night. During these hours, your home automatically imports electricity from the grid.
Import also occurs whenever your household demand becomes higher than the electricity being produced by your solar panels.
241.91 Units were supplied by TPCODL to this consumer during the billing month.
2. Solar Power Generated (B)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Solar Generation (B) | 318.17 Units |
This value represents the total electricity produced by the rooftop solar panels during the billing period.
Many homeowners mistakenly believe that this entire energy is exported to the grid.
That is not correct.
Your home always consumes solar electricity first.
Only the remaining unused electricity is exported.
3. Solar Power Exported (C)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Solar Export (C) | 95.31 Units |
This means that out of the total 318.17 units generated by the solar panels, only 95.31 units were surplus and exported to the electricity grid.
The remaining solar energy was consumed instantly inside the house.
Let's Calculate It
| Description | Units |
|---|---|
| Total Solar Generated | 318.17 |
| Exported to Grid | 95.31 |
| Consumed Directly Inside Home | 222.86 Units |
Calculation:
318.17 − 95.31 = 222.86 Units
This means the family used nearly 223 units of solar electricity directly without drawing them from the utility grid.
4. Total Power Consumption (F)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Household Consumption (F) | 464.77 Units |
This is perhaps the most misunderstood figure on the electricity bill.
Many consumers assume this is the number of units billed by TPCODL.
Actually, this value represents the total electricity consumed by the house from all available sources.
That includes:
- Electricity consumed directly from rooftop solar panels
- Electricity imported from the utility grid
How Was Total Consumption Calculated?
| Source | Units |
|---|---|
| Solar Used Directly | 222.86 |
| Imported From Grid | 241.91 |
| Total Household Consumption | 464.77 Units |
This clearly shows that the family actually consumed almost 465 units during the month.
However, because approximately 223 units came directly from rooftop solar, they did not have to purchase those units from TPCODL.
Solar electricity that is consumed instantly inside your home never appears as imported electricity because your appliances use it before the Net Meter needs to import electricity from the grid.
Monthly Energy Flow at a Glance
| Energy Flow | Units |
|---|---|
| Solar Generated | 318.17 |
| Used Inside Home | 222.86 |
| Exported to Grid | 95.31 |
| Imported From Grid | 241.91 |
| Total Household Consumption | 464.77 |
Why Is This Important?
Without rooftop solar, this consumer would have imported almost the entire 464.77 units from the utility grid.
Instead, because the rooftop solar system supplied nearly 223 units directly and exported another 95 units for adjustment under net metering, the amount of billable electricity was significantly reduced.
This demonstrates why rooftop solar can substantially lower electricity bills even for households with relatively high electricity consumption.
How Are Net Billable Units Calculated?
Now let's understand the most important part of the entire electricity bill—the Net Billable Units.
This is the figure that determines how many units will be considered for the energy charge after adjusting the eligible exported solar energy according to the applicable net metering regulations.
In our example bill, the important values are:
| Parameter | Units |
|---|---|
| Imported Energy (A) | 241.91 Units |
| Solar Export (C) | 95.31 Units |
Step-by-Step Net Meter Calculation
The billing software first determines the imported electricity and then adjusts the eligible exported electricity as per the applicable net metering rules.
Calculation
Imported Units − Exported Units
241.91 − 95.31
= 146.60 Units
Therefore, instead of paying energy charges on the total household consumption of 464.77 units, the consumer's net billable energy becomes only 146.60 units before applying the applicable tariff and other charges.
Understanding the Energy Flow
| Stage | Units |
|---|---|
| Total Household Consumption | 464.77 |
| Solar Used Instantly Inside Home | 222.86 |
| Imported From Grid | 241.91 |
| Solar Exported to Grid | 95.31 |
| Net Billable Units | 146.60 |
Why Rooftop Solar Creates Huge Savings
Let's compare two situations.
| Without Solar | With Rooftop Solar |
|---|---|
| Nearly the entire household consumption would be purchased from the utility. | A large portion of the electricity is generated on the rooftop. |
| Higher monthly energy charges. | Lower imported units reduce the energy charges. |
| No renewable energy generation. | Clean energy reduces dependence on grid electricity. |
The biggest financial advantage comes from reducing the number of units purchased from the electricity distribution company.
Will Your Electricity Bill Always Become Zero?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the most common myths about rooftop solar.
Your final bill depends on several factors, including:
- Total imported electricity.
- Solar energy exported during the billing cycle.
- Applicable tariff category.
- Fixed charges.
- Meter rent.
- Electricity duty and statutory charges.
- Any applicable adjustments under prevailing regulations.
A rooftop solar system significantly reduces electricity purchased from the grid, but some fixed or regulated charges may still appear depending on your tariff and the applicable billing rules.
What Does "Your Contribution to a Greener Future" Mean?
Modern electricity bills often include an environmental impact summary.
In our example:
| Environmental Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Solar Energy Generated | 318 kWh |
| Estimated CO₂ Emissions Avoided | Approximately 261 kg |
This estimate highlights the positive environmental contribution made by generating renewable electricity instead of relying entirely on conventional power sources.
Professional Tips to Maximise Solar Savings
- ✔ Use high-power appliances such as washing machines or water pumps during sunny hours whenever practical.
- ✔ Keep solar panels clean to maintain good generation.
- ✔ Regularly monitor your inverter application for daily generation.
- ✔ Review your monthly electricity bill and compare import and export values.
- ✔ Schedule periodic maintenance of your rooftop solar system.
- ✔ Preserve all commissioning and installation documents for future reference.
Common Mistakes New Solar Consumers Make
- ❌ Assuming solar generation and exported units are always the same.
- ❌ Ignoring daytime self-consumption.
- ❌ Looking only at total consumption instead of imported units.
- ❌ Expecting every bill to become zero.
- ❌ Not checking monthly import and export trends.
Key Takeaway
The real purpose of rooftop solar is to reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the utility grid. The more solar electricity you consume directly during the day, the greater your potential savings over the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a Net Meter?
A Net Meter is a bi-directional electricity meter that records both the electricity imported from the utility grid and the surplus solar electricity exported back to the grid. It enables billing under the applicable net metering regulations.
2. Why are Solar Generated Units different from Export Units?
Your home always consumes solar electricity first. Only the unused surplus energy is exported to the electricity grid. Therefore, total solar generation is usually higher than exported units.
3. Why do I still receive an electricity bill after installing rooftop solar?
Rooftop solar mainly reduces the electricity you purchase from the grid. Your final bill may still include imported energy charges, fixed charges, meter rent, electricity duty, and other applicable charges depending on your tariff and billing rules.
4. Can my electricity bill become zero?
Some consumers with favorable generation and consumption patterns may receive very low energy charges in certain billing cycles. However, the final bill depends on several factors, including imports, exports, tariff rules, and applicable fixed charges.
5. Does rooftop solar work during a power cut?
A standard on-grid solar inverter automatically shuts down during a grid outage because of anti-islanding protection. If backup during power cuts is required, you need an appropriate backup solution such as a battery-based system or a hybrid configuration designed for backup operation.
6. How can I maximize my solar savings?
- Use high-power appliances during sunny hours whenever practical.
- Keep your solar panels clean.
- Monitor daily solar generation.
- Track monthly import and export units.
- Schedule regular maintenance.
Important Terms You Should Know
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Import | Electricity purchased from the utility grid. |
| Export | Surplus solar electricity supplied to the grid. |
| Net Meter | Measures electricity flow in both directions. |
| Solar Generation | Total electricity produced by rooftop solar panels. |
| Net Billable Units | Units considered for billing after applicable adjustments under net metering rules. |
| Commissioning | Official approval of the installed rooftop solar system. |
Official Resources
Always rely on official sources for the latest policies, subsidy guidelines, technical standards, and billing regulations.
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
- Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC)
- TPCODL Official Website
Final Thoughts
Understanding your electricity bill after installing rooftop solar is just as important as choosing the right solar system.
Once you understand the relationship between solar generation, self-consumption, exported energy, and imported electricity, reading a Net Meter bill becomes much easier.
In the real TPCODL example discussed in this guide, the consumer generated more than 318 units of clean solar electricity and reduced the amount of electricity purchased from the grid considerably. This demonstrates how rooftop solar can lower electricity costs while also supporting cleaner energy production.
Did This Guide Help You?
If this article helped you understand your rooftop solar electricity bill, consider sharing it with friends, family members, or anyone planning to install a solar system under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Your support helps spread awareness about renewable energy and informed decision-making.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Billing calculations may vary depending on your DISCOM, tariff category, applicable regulations, billing period, and future policy updates. Always refer to your official electricity bill and consult your DISCOM or the relevant regulatory authority for case-specific clarification.
About the Author
PSP Studio publishes practical guides on rooftop solar, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, net metering, electricity-saving techniques, consumer awareness, and government schemes. Our goal is to simplify technical concepts using real-world examples and verified information.
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