AEDB Approved Vendors List: How to Check a Certified Solar Installer (Now Under PPIB)

If you want a grid-connected solar system with net metering in Pakistan, the installer you choose matters as much as the panels. Distribution companies accept net-metering applications only through installers certified under the AEDB certification regulations, and those installers carry warranty obligations that uncertified vendors do not. Many buyers still search for the “AEDB approved vendors list” without realising that AEDB no longer exists as a separate body. This guide explains where the list sits now, how to check a vendor properly and what to look for beyond the certificate.

What happened to AEDB?

AEDB was established under the Alternative Energy Development Board Act, 2010 to promote renewable energy. In 2023 it was merged into PPIB, which took over its functions, staff and records, and the AEDB Act was repealed. PPIB’s website now describes itself as “former AEDB” when it discusses net metering and installer certification. The certification regulations themselves still carry the AEDB name, which is why the industry, distribution companies and customers still say “AEDB certified” or “AEDB approved”.

For solar companies, this matters when applying or renewing: the application now goes to PPIB. Our guide to AEDB registration for solar companies covers the installer side in detail.

Why certification matters for buyers

• Net metering depends on it. Distribution companies’ net-metering checklists state that installation for net metering is allowed only through approved installers, and applications are usually uploaded by the installer.
• Warranties are built in. Under the certification regulations, certified installers must provide minimum warranties for the equipment they supply.
• Standards apply. Certified installers are required to use equipment and installation practices that meet prescribed standards and specifications.
• Accountability. A certified installer has a certificate number, a registered address and a regulator that can act on complaints.

Where to find the list of certified installers

PPIB publishes lists of certified installers on its website, split by certification category. Each list typically shows the company name, certificate number, validity date, technology (solar or wind), the area the certificate is valid for (for example ICT, Punjab, Sindh or KPK), registered address and contact details. Distribution companies also link to the list from their net-metering pages; K-Electric, for example, points customers to the list of approved vendors from its net-metering service page.

Lists are updated as certificates are issued, renewed, suspended or expire, so always open the latest version rather than a copy saved months ago.

Step-by-step: how to verify a solar installer

1. Ask for the certificate number. A genuine certified installer will give you its PPIB/AEDB certificate number and category without hesitation.
2. Find it on PPIB’s latest list. Search the list for the exact company name and certificate number. Trading names and legal names often differ, so check both.
3. Check validity. Note the “valid up to” date. If your project will run past it, ask for evidence that renewal has been applied for.
4. Check the area. Certificates list the provinces or regions the installer is certified for. An installer certified only for Sindh should not be filing net metering in Punjab.
5. Match the category to your system size. Categories reflect the capacity of systems an installer may handle, with category C-1 covering the largest installations. A small residential vendor may not be certified for a large industrial rooftop.
6. Confirm who will file net metering. Make sure the certified company itself, not an uncertified subcontractor using its name, will submit the application to your distribution company.
7. Get warranties in writing. Ask for the warranty terms for panels, inverter, structure and workmanship, and keep them with your contract.

Red flags when choosing a vendor

• The vendor says it is “AEDB approved” but cannot give a certificate number.
• The name on the quotation does not match the name on PPIB’s list.
• The certificate on PPIB’s list has expired or is for another province.
• The vendor asks you to file net metering yourself because “it is just paperwork”.
• Equipment brands, inverter model or warranty terms are left blank in the quotation.
• Very large advances are demanded before any design or site survey.

Net metering rules are changing, so check before you sign

Net metering in Pakistan runs under NEPRA’s distributed generation and net metering regulations, first issued in 2015 and amended since. Buyback terms and the framework for new connections have been under review, and policy can change faster than installer brochures. Before signing, ask your installer which version of NEPRA’s rules applies to your connection and how billing will work, and confirm it on NEPRA’s or your distribution company’s website.

For solar companies: getting on the list

If you install systems and want to appear on PPIB’s list, you need to apply under the AEDB (Certification) Regulations, 2021 with the documents in PPIB’s checklist, such as the application form, authority letter or board resolution, company registration, engineering staff details and evidence of experience. The 2021 regulations extended the certificate term from one year to three years, which reduces renewal frequency but makes each renewal more important. Many installers also hold PEC registration for electrical works; our guide to PEC contractor categories and limits explains how those categories work.

Frequently asked questions

How CEC can help

Connect Engineers & Consultants helps solar companies obtain and renew installer certification, PEC registration and related approvals, and helps buyers check vendor credentials before they sign. See our AEDB and energy approvals services.

Solar company planning to get certified? Talk to us about your installer certification.

Certification rules, categories and net-metering regulations are set by PPIB and NEPRA and may change. Confirm current requirements on their official websites. This guide is general information, not legal or technical advice.