ELECTRICITY METERS
Understand the difference between your electricity meter, your inverter monitoring and your home’s energy use before you install or upgrade solar.
THE BASICS
Your electricity meter records energy exchanged with the grid. A suitable import/export meter records electricity bought from the grid and electricity sent back by your solar system. It does not, on its own, show every unit generated by the panels or every unit used inside your home.
When solar is installed, the metering arrangement may need to be changed or reconfigured. We help identify what is needed for the installation; your electricity retailer coordinates the metering process with its metering provider.
THREE DIFFERENT VIEWS
Records grid imports and exports for billing. These are the quantities your retailer uses alongside the applicable tariff.
Shows solar generation and equipment status. Its generation reading is different from the energy exported to the grid.
Additional compatible monitoring can show how much the home uses and how much solar is used on site. Check what hardware and features are included.
BEFORE INSTALLATION
Your retailer, account details and National Metering Identifier help identify the supply. Clear photos of the accessible meter and switchboard help us assess the existing arrangement. Never open sealed meter equipment.
Ask about scheduling, access, any planned interruption and how the new meter affects your bill. Confirm the import tariff, feed-in tariff and any time-of-use or demand charges before accepting a new plan.
The Australian Energy Market Commission’s accelerated rollout reforms aim for universal smart metering across the National Electricity Market by 2030. Your retailer can explain the rollout and tariff protections that apply to your account.
See the AEMC smart meter reform information. Metering and tariff questions should be confirmed with your retailer.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Grid imports and exports do not show all solar generation. Solar used immediately in your home may never pass through the grid meter as exported energy. Use inverter or compatible consumption monitoring for the wider picture.
Your electricity retailer coordinates metering with its metering provider. We help clarify the metering needs associated with your solar installation.
It may affect the plans available or the way usage is recorded. Ask the retailer to explain the applicable tariff and consumer protections, rather than assuming a particular billing change.
This depends on the property’s electrical supply and proposed system. A qualified assessment is needed; a meter’s appearance alone is not a reliable design decision.
We can discuss solar installation and metering requirements across the Central Coast, Sydney, Newcastle and Maitland/Hunter. Your electricity retailer remains the contact for arranging meter work and confirming the tariff on your account.
If you are installing or upgrading solar on the Central Coast, in Sydney, Newcastle or Maitland/Hunter, we can explain the metering needs identified during the system assessment. Your retailer coordinates meter work with its metering provider. Confirm scheduling and tariff details with the retailer before the changeover.
Explore our regional solar installer pages for Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle. For Maitland and the Hunter, contact our team with your suburb.
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