From air conditioning and domestic appliances to connected equipment, the way households consume electricity is continuing to evolve. To reflect these changing needs, the CEB has launched a new residential solar photovoltaic scheme based on hybrid systems, allowing individuals to produce and retain some of their energy within the home.
The CEB Solar PV Scheme (Households) 2026 now supersedes and consolidates the former Net-Metering arrangements. It is aimed at domestic customers seeking to install a hybrid solar photovoltaic system, complete with battery storage.
For many households, the difference may be most noticeable in the evening, when demand increases with cooking, lighting, television, air conditioning and charging devices. The scheme allows installations of up to 10 kWac and requires a battery designed to cover at least three hours of evening electricity use.
Before taking the next step, it is worth looking closely at the household’s real needs: how many people live there, which appliances are used most often, how much electricity is consumed in the evening, how frequently air conditioning is used and whether there is a water pump. Correct sizing can prevent both unnecessary overspending and an installation that falls short.
Applicants must file their request at a CEB service centre and pay processing charges of Rs 2,000. Work on the installation may begin following the signing of the application form and connection agreement, subject to compliance with CEB standards and the Grid Code.
The scheme also offers two options, Gross-Metering and Net-Metering, depending on how the electricity generated and exported is recorded. To avoid unexpected issues, households are advised to seek support from a qualified installer, compare quotations, check the battery capacity and confirm the connection arrangements before making any substantial payment.
