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Electricity Metering Explained
There are two methods of metering a grid connection, 'gross' and 'net'. With gross metering, all the electrical energy produced feeds directly into the grid. The net metering option powers your home first, reducing or replacing your grid consumption. Then, if you're producing more than you're consuming, the excess will feed back into the grid and be recorded as 'export' on your bi-directional meter.
In order to accurately record the energy you return to the grid your current meter will be replaced with a 'Smart or Bi-directional Meter' programmed to record energy flows in both directions. This records the energy you use from the grid (imported) and the energy you put into the grid (exported). If a meter capable of reading energy flows is already installed at the property your distributor will still need to attend the property to ensure its programming is configured correctly.
(Source: Country Energy - Recording usage and generation)
The electricity Distributors in each State has a slightly different meter installation and connection process and price schedule for their services.
A link to the Clean Energy Council's website summarising the meter installation and connection processes in each State is provided below:
Meter connection procedures for each State
The requirement for different metering methods is driven by the various Feed-in Tariff schemes adopted by the States and Territories. The schemes in each State vary in terms of the metering method, the tariff regimes offered, the eligibility criteria (system size and annual energy consumption) and their impact on existing metering arrangements (off-peak hot water etc). Eco-Kinetics recommends that you thoroughly assess the impact of new metering arrangements on your household and choose the option that best suits you.
A link to the Clean Energy Council's website summarising the various State Government Feed-in Tariff initiatives is provided below:
Government Feed-in Tariff Initiatives
Please find below a series of website links that will direct to you information on metering for solar electricity systems.