Net Metering in Surat: DGVCL vs Torrent Power Process (2026)
Last updated at : Oct 29, 2026
Quick Answer
In Surat, your solar net meter comes from whichever company supplies your electricity: Torrent Power (parts of Surat city) or DGVCL (the rest of the city and the district). Your electricity bill shows which one. Both follow the same Gujarat (GERC) net metering rules, but the application route, charges and practical timelines differ. In Solnce's experience, getting the net meter takes about 3-4 weeks with DGVCL and 4-5 weeks with Torrent Power after installation.
You can install the best solar panels in Surat, but until the net meter is fitted, the system cannot send power to the grid and your bill won't drop the way it should. For most customers, this last step causes more confusion than the installation itself. This guide explains the net metering process for both power companies in Surat, the documents you need, how long it takes, and how to avoid the usual delays. It is based on the rules that apply across Gujarat and on applications Solnce files in Surat every month.
First: what is net metering?
Net metering means one meter records power in both directions. When your panels make more than you use, the extra goes to the grid. When you need more, you draw from the grid. At the end of the billing cycle, you pay only for the difference. For example: in a month, your home uses 400 units and your 3 kW system produces 360. You pay for about 40 units, plus fixed charges and duty. If your system makes more than you use, the surplus is settled at the rate in your agreement with the power company. Net metering is different from net billing and gross metering. Our guide to net metering vs net billing vs gross metering explains the difference.
DGVCL or Torrent Power: which one are you?
Surat has two electricity distribution companies: • Torrent Power supplies parts of Surat city. • DGVCL (Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd) supplies the rest of the city and the wider district, including industrial areas outside Torrent's area. The easiest way to check is your electricity bill. The company name is printed at the top, along with your consumer number. If you are not sure, send us a photo of your bill on WhatsApp, and we'll tell you. This matters because your application, charges and follow-up all go through that company.
The rules: same for both companies
All distribution companies in Gujarat, including DGVCL and Torrent Power, follow the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission's net metering rules for rooftop solar: the GERC net metering regulations of 2016, as amended. These set who can apply, the steps, and the maximum time each step should take. You can read the current text on the GERC website. A few points from these rules matter most to customers: • Small residential applications (up to 10 kW) that are complete are treated as accepted without a separate feasibility study. • Each step has a maximum number of days set by GERC. • If the power company delays without a valid reason, the regulations provide compensation to the consumer. At the national level, the Ministry of Power asked states in October 2025 to replace separate paper net-metering agreements for residential rooftop solar with a digital agreement in the online application, and to waive certain charges.
Step by step: net metering with DGVCL
For homes, the DGVCL application is made online. Residential rooftop applications in Gujarat go through the SURYA Gujarat portal, and the subsidy is claimed on the national PM Surya Ghar portal. Businesses and factories apply through DGVCL's process for commercial and industrial consumers.
- Register and apply. Your installer (registered vendor) files the application with your consumer number and system size.
- Technical check. DGVCL checks whether the local transformer and line can take the solar load. Small residential systems are usually cleared without a field study.
- Approval and agreement. DGVCL approves the application. You accept the agreement (digital for homes) and pay any connection or meter charges.
- Installation. Your installer builds the system. Electrical safety approval is needed for larger systems
- Completion documents. The installer submits the completion report, test certificates and photos.
- Meter installation. DGVCL installs the bidirectional (net) meter.
- Commissioning. The system is inspected and commissioned. Your bill now shows import and export units.
- Subsidy. For homes and societies, the subsidy claim is filed on the national portal after commissioning. Solnce's real timeline with DGVCL (Surat, 2026): about 7 to 14 days from approval of the application, and days from installation to the net meter.
Step by step: net metering with Torrent Power
Torrent Power follows the same GERC rules, so the stages are the same: apply, technical check, approval, installation, completion, meter, commissioning. The differences are practical: • Where you apply. Torrent Power customers use Torrent's own process and customer portal (connect.torrentpower.com) for the DISCOM side. Home subsidies are still claimed on the national portal. • Charges. Torrent publishes its own charges for the generation meter, meter box and testing. Check the current Surat schedule with Torrent before you budget. • Meter. The net meter and any generation meter are supplied and tested as per Torrent's rules. • Follow-up. Queries go to Torrent's Surat customer service, not DGVCL. Solnce's real timeline with Torrent Power (Surat, 2026): about 14-28 days from application to approval, and 20-24 days from installation to net meter.
DGVCL vs Torrent Power at a glance
| Point | DGVCL | Torrent Power |
|---|---|---|
| Area in Surat | Rest of the city and the district | Parts of Surat city |
| Rules followed | GERC net metering regulations | GERC net metering regulations |
| Where homes apply | SURYA Gujarat portal | Torrent's process and portal |
| Subsidy for homes and societies | National PM Surya Ghar portal | National PM Surya Ghar portal |
| Meter charges | As per DGVCL schedule | As per Torrent's published schedule |
| Solnce's typical time to net meter | 20-24 weeks | 22-30 weeks |
Before you apply: a quick checklist
Most rejections can be avoided by checking five things before the file goes in: • The name on the electricity bill matches the property owner (or the society or company name). • There are no pending dues on the connection. • The planned solar size fits within your sanctioned load. If not, apply for a load increase first. • The roof is free of disputes. In a society, the general body has approved use of the terrace. • Your installer is a registered vendor for the scheme and the power company you are on.
Documents you will need
Keep these ready before applying. The exact list can change, so your installer should confirm it at the time of filing.
For homes: • Latest electricity bill (shows your consumer number and the power company) • Proof of ownership of the property • Identity proof (Aadhaar or PAN) • Bank account details (for the subsidy) • Authorisation for the installer to file on your behalf
For societies, shops and factories, also: • Society registration or company documents • General body resolution (societies) or board authorisation (companies) • Single line diagram, earthing and wiring drawings (the installer prepares these) • Equipment datasheets and test certificates • Electrical safety approval where required
Why net metering gets delayed, and how to avoid it
These are the delays we see most often in Surat: • Name mismatch. The name on the bill does not match the property papers. Fix this with the power company before applying. • Load or category issues. The solar size is too large for your sanctioned load. Increase the load first, or size the system to fit. • Pending dues. Unpaid bills block approvals. Clear dues before applying. • Incomplete documents. One missing paper sends the file back. A good installer checks everything before filing. • Meter stock. Sometimes meters are short at the local office. Your installer should follow up in person. • Transformer capacity. In some areas, the local transformer is already loaded with solar. This mainly affects larger systems.
If your bill looks wrong after solar is installed, read our guide on what to do if your electricity bill is wrong after solar installation.
Reading your bill after net metering
After the net meter is fitted, your bill changes. Most customers are surprised the first month, so here is what to look for: • Import units. Power you took from the grid, usually at night and on cloudy days. • Export units. Power your system sent to the grid when it made more than you used. • Net units. Import minus export. This is what your energy charge is based on. • Fixed charges and duty. These stay, even if net units are low or zero. • Solar generation. Not shown on the bill. Check it on your inverter or the Solnce app. Generation minus export is what you used directly from your panels. If import looks too high or export is missing, the meter may be wrongly programmed or read. Note the readings, take a photo of the meter display, and contact your installer. Do not pay a clearly wrong bill without raising it with the power company.
Net metering for factories and businesses in Surat
Industrial and commercial customers follow the same basic idea, but rules on plant size, metering type and settlement depend on your tariff category and connection (LT or HT). Some larger users are better served by other models, such as captive or group captive solar through open access. Solnce designs and files approvals for factory rooftops across Surat, including Sachin, Pandesara and Hojiwala. See our industrial solar page or read open access vs rooftop solar for industries.
How Solnce handles it for you
• We check your bill and tell you which company and process applies. • We prepare and file every application, drawing and document. • We follow up with DGVCL or Torrent Power until the meter is fitted. • For homes and societies, we file the PM Surya Ghar subsidy claim. Read about the residential solar subsidy in Gujarat. • Our app shows your generation once the plant is live.
Planning a home system? Start with our 3kW solar panel price guide or see rooftop solar for homes. More about our local team: solar company in Surat.
Get solar with the net meter handled for you
Send us a photo of your electricity bill. We'll tell you whether you're on DGVCL or Torrent Power, what your system should cost, and how long approval will take. Book a free site survey WhatsApp your bill: +91-70411 66814
Frequently asked questions
1. How do I know if I'm on DGVCL or Torrent Power in Surat? Look at the top of your electricity bill. It shows the company name and your consumer number. Or WhatsApp us a photo of the bill.
2. Is the net metering process different for DGVCL and Torrent Power? The rules are the same (GERC regulations). The application route, charges and practical timelines differ.
3. Can I apply for net metering myself? Homes usually apply through a registered vendor, who files on your behalf. Solnce handles the full application.
4. What documents do I need? Your latest bill, ownership proof, ID proof, bank details and authorisation for the installer. Societies and businesses need extra papers such as resolutions and drawings.
5. Is there a fee for net metering? There may be charges for the meter, testing or connection, depending on the company and system size. Your installer should show these in the quote.
6. Who supplies the net meter? The meter is supplied and installed as per your power company's rules. Ask your installer who arranges it in your case.
7. What happens to extra units my system produces? They go to the grid. At the end of the billing cycle, surplus units are settled at the rate in your agreement with the power company.
8. Will my bill become zero? Usually not fully. Fixed charges and duty remain. The energy part of the bill drops sharply if the system is sized well.
9. What size system can I install? It is linked to your sanctioned load and roof space. If you need a bigger system, you may first have to increase your sanctioned load.
10. Does net metering apply to housing societies? Yes. Societies can put solar on the common meter and get net metering, plus a subsidy of ₹18,000 per kW for common facilities.
11. Can factories in Surat get net metering? Industrial and commercial consumers can install rooftop solar, but rules depend on tariff category and connection type. We check this during the survey.
12. Why is my net meter application stuck? Common reasons are name mismatch, pending dues, load limits, missing documents or meter shortage. Your installer should find and fix the cause.
13. Can I get compensation if the DISCOM delays? GERC rules provide compensation for delays without valid reasons.
14. Do I need electrical safety (CEI) approval? For larger systems, yes. Small home systems usually follow a simpler process.
15. When do I get the PM Surya Ghar subsidy? After the system is installed, inspected, and the net meter is fitted. The claim is filed on the national portal and paid to your bank account.
16. Does solar work during a power cut with a net meter? No. Grid-connected systems switch off during a power cut for safety. You need a battery or hybrid system for backup.
17. What if I shift house or sell the property? The system and agreement are linked to the connection. Tell the power company and update the name with the new owner.
18. Can I add more panels later? Yes, but a capacity increase needs fresh approval. Plan the size well at the start.
19. Why choose Solnce for net metering in Surat? We are a Surat team that files DGVCL and Torrent Power applications every month, and we follow up until the meter is fitted.
