Virtual Net Metering in India: A Simple Guide for Housing Societies (2025)

If you manage a housing society, you probably hear a lot about solar, subsidies, and saving on electricity bills. The problem is, most explanations are full of jargon. Virtual net metering sounds like one more technical term on that list.

In reality, it is a simple idea. Your society installs one solar power system. The electricity it generates is shared, on paper, between the flats and common areas. Everyone gets their share of savings directly on their light bill.

This guide will walk you through what virtual net metering actually is, how it works for societies, what the rules say across India and in Maharashtra, and whether it makes sense for your building.

What Is Virtual Net Metering, In Simple Words?

Virtual net metering is a billing system that allows one solar plant to give bill credits to many electricity connections. These connections can belong to different flats in the same society, or to common area meters in the same premises.

You do not need separate solar panels for every flat. The DISCOM measures how much solar power your plant sends to the grid, then distributes that as credits to all participating consumers as per a pre-decided percentage.

Why Is Everyone Talking About It Now?

There are three reasons housing societies are hearing more about virtual net metering in 2025:

The central government has issued guidance to help states implement virtual and group net metering properly.
State regulators, including MERC in Maharashtra, have added clear rules for virtual net metering in their rooftop solar regulations.
Many societies want solar but do not have equal rooftop space on each wing or tower, so a shared model is more practical.

This makes virtual net metering one of the easiest ways for a society to go solar together.

How It Works For A Housing Society

Here is the basic flow for a typical society:

1: The society installs a solar plant on the main terrace or another approved location.

2: The plant is connected to the grid with a bi-directional meter.

3: The DISCOM records how much solar power is exported each month.

4: Credits are divided between members and common meters as per a fixed sharing pattern decided by the society at the time of application.

5: Each member sees reduced units on their bill, based on their share of credits.

You still draw power from the grid as usual. The difference is that part of your monthly bill is paid by your society’s solar plant.

Virtual Net Metering Rules Across India (2025)

Virtual net metering is now supported in multiple states, though the exact rules vary:

Eligibility: Residential societies, group housing, apartments, and in some states, commercial complexes and institutions.
Metering: Bi-directional meters for the solar plant, and individual meters for each participating consumer.
Credit sharing: Each state allows societies to define how credits are split. It can be equal, or based on flat size, consumption, or any agreed formula.
Application process: Online in most states. You submit details of your plant, list of participating consumers, and the sharing agreement.
Subsidy availability: Central schemes like PM Surya Ghar apply to rooftop systems, and some states offer additional incentives.
By 2025, several state and joint commissions have issued or updated regulations to formally allow virtual and group net metering for shared rooftop systems, especially for apartment complexes and group housing.

Always check with your state DISCOM or work with an experienced solar EPC partner to understand the latest local requirements.

What The Rules Say In Maharashtra (MERC)

For Maharashtra, MERC has given a specific place to virtual net metering within its rooftop renewable energy regulations:

It is allowed for multi-storey residential buildings and group housing type consumers.
MERC has formally included virtual net metering for multi‑storey residential and group housing consumers in its ‘Grid Interactive Rooftop Renewable Energy Generating Systems (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2024’ for Maharashtra.
One common solar plant can be used to give credits to multiple residential meters and common area meters within the same DISCOM area.
The society decides how to split credits between members, and this is recorded in the agreement with the DISCOM.
MSEDCL and other licensees must implement these provisions, and MERC has already pulled them up when they delayed virtual net metering roll out.

Maharashtra is one of the most proactive states on this front. Societies here have clearer paths, better regulatory support, and faster approvals compared to many other parts of India.

Want a detailed, step-by-step breakdown for Maharashtra housing societies?
We have written a complete guide that covers MERC’s order, the application process, documentation, FAQs, and real examples:

Virtual Net Metering for Housing Societies: MERC Order Explained

Why It Makes Sense For Your Society

For a housing society, virtual net metering solves a few everyday problems:

Fair access to solar: Not every flat has access to the terrace, but everyone wants lower bills.
Easier maintenance: A single, larger plant on the main terrace is easier and cheaper to maintain than many small systems.
Better economics: The society as a whole can plan the investment, get better pricing, and apply for available schemes.
Proven model: It is not experimental. States have tested it, regulators have backed it, and many societies are already benefiting.

In short, it turns solar into a community decision instead of a flat-by-flat struggle.

What About Costs and Returns?

This depends on:

Your society’s total electricity consumption (residential + common areas).
Available rooftop space for solar installation.
Current tariff rates from your DISCOM.
Subsidy eligibility.

Most housing societies see payback periods of 4 to 6 years, with 20+ years of system life. After payback, it is essentially free electricity. Common areas like lifts, water pumps, and society lighting can run mostly on solar, cutting your monthly maintenance charges.

A good solar EPC partner can give you a free assessment and show you exact numbers based on your society’s data.

Who Should Consider Virtual Net Metering?

Virtual net metering is ideal if your society has:

20+ flats or a mix of residential and common area connections.
Limited or unequal rooftop access across wings or towers.
Members interested in lower electricity bills and going green.
Managing committee looking for a long-term investment in the property.

It also works well for gated communities, apartment complexes, and retirement housing, where collective decisions are easier to implement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is virtual net metering allowed in Maharashtra?

Yes. MERC’s 2024 amendment to its rooftop renewable energy regulations has formally included virtual net metering for residential multi‑storied buildings and housing societies within the same DISCOM area. Societies can now use one shared plant and get bill credits on multiple meters as per an approved sharing pattern.

What is the difference between virtual net metering and group net metering?

Virtual net metering lets multiple consumers, such as different flats in a housing society, share power from one plant and receive separate credits. Group net metering usually helps a single consumer with multiple connections, like one company with many meters, to offset bills across its own accounts. Both rely on similar metering and billing software but serve different consumer structures.

Is virtual net metering available in all Indian states?

No, not yet. A few state and joint commissions have already notified virtual and group net metering regulations, while others are still using pilots or standard net metering only. Your EPC partner can confirm the latest status with your DISCOM before you plan a shared solar project.

Can we set up the solar plant on a different site, not our own building?

In some states, yes. Virtual net metering often allows off-site generation as long as the plant and consumers are within the same DISCOM service area. Check your state’s specific rules.

What if a member sells their flat or leaves?

The new owner can take over the same credit allocation, or the society can reassign shares as per its internal agreement. This flexibility is built into most virtual net metering models.

Are central subsidies like PM Surya Ghar applicable?

Yes, for the residential portion of the system. Subsidy amounts depend on system size and the number of beneficiaries. Work with your EPC to ensure proper subsidy documentation.

How do we decide the credit split?

Common methods include equal share per flat, proportional to flat area, or based on past electricity consumption. The society decides what is fair, and it is locked into the DISCOM agreement.

Does every member need to participate?

No. Members who do not want to participate can opt out. The solar credits go only to those who join the scheme.

Why Choose Infisol Energy for Your Society's Solar Project?

At Infisol Energy, we specialise in residential solar solutions for housing societies and group housing across Maharashtra and India. Our team works as your solar EPC partner, handling design, installation, virtual net metering approvals, and long-term O&M support.

Free site assessment and customised solar design.
Virtual net metering application and DISCOM approvals.
Subsidy documentation and processing.
Installation, commissioning, and after-sales support.
Transparent pricing, clear timelines, and dedicated project managers.

We have helped dozens of societies go solar using virtual net metering, and we understand the unique needs of managing committees and resident groups.

Ready to explore solar for your society?
📞 Get a free assessment and proposal today:
Contact Infisol Energy

Start Your Society’s Virtual Net Metering Journey

Virtual net metering is making solar energy accessible and practical for housing societies across India. It removes the complexity of individual installations, spreads the benefits fairly, and gives your society a clear path to lower electricity bills and a cleaner future.

If you are in Maharashtra, the rules are especially clear and supportive. For a detailed guide on MERC’s virtual net metering regulations, do not miss our step-by-step article linked above.

Have questions or ready to take the next step? Reach out to us. We are here to make solar simple for your society.