> Most meters are non-directional, which means if you hook a solar panel up to it and then produce extra power, the power company will read it as if you consume

> Most meters are non-directional, which means if you hook a solar panel up to it and then produce extra power, the power company will read it as if you consumed that power from the grid. Smart meters can be configured either way, though the one I'm familiar with from talking to the various inspectors and such (our type) has two different registers, one that counts "net energy" and one that counts "total energy passed through" - counting up in both directions. I imagine if you're not on a net metering agreement and those two begin to differ, you'll have a visit from a power company truck at some point. They're quite clear in the various rate schedules that if you've got non-permitted solar installed, they'll come turn it off, and if they can't easily do so, they'll simply take their meter (disconnecting you entirely from the grid). (mountain west United States)