The bi-directional meter
A conventional meter counts electricity flowing into your premises. A net meter counts flow in both directions: units imported from the grid and units exported to it when your solar generation exceeds on-site consumption.
How settlement works
During a billing cycle, exported units are set off against imported units. You are billed on the net import. Treatment of any remaining surplus at the end of the settlement period depends on your state regulatory commission's prevailing order and your distribution company's policy.
Why self-consumption still matters
Because export compensation is usually not identical to the retail tariff you pay, shifting flexible loads — pumps, washing machines, EV charging — into daylight hours generally improves the economics of your system.
