Solar Power and Your Meter - 20 Hacks to Build Your Own Affordable Solar Power System - The Ultimate Guide to Solar Power Energy and Lower Bills - Mark Prentice, James Bickel

Solar Power: The Ultimate Guide to Solar Power Energy and Lower Bills: (Off Grid Solar Power Systems, Home Solar Power System) - Mark Prentice, James Bickel (2016)

Book 1. 20 Hacks to Build Your Own Affordable Solar Power System

Chapter 6. Solar Power and Your Meter

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Once your solar power system is up and running you’ll probably be checking your meter a lot (at least in the beginning). Learning how to read your meter is simple.

There are several types of meters to look at depending on which utility company installed them. The meter is designed to show exactly how much electricity you’re buying from the power company. It also should indicate how much electricity your system is generating on its own.

If you have a smart meter, it will likely have quite a few other functions as well.

How to Read Your Meter

In most western countries, if the bars in the meter are rolling from the left to the right, it means that you’re pulling power from the utility company. However, if you see the bars running from right to left then you know you’re on solar power. In fact, it indicates that you’re selling your power back to the utility company.