Introduction
Smart meters make solar billing accurate and transparent. Unlike old meters, they clearly record both the electricity you import from the grid and the energy you export. As a result, you always know how much credit you receive for your solar exports.
This guide explains smart meter basics for solar export with clear examples, so you can understand how they affect your feed-in tariff (FiT) credits and your overall bill.
Key Definitions
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Smart meter: A digital meter that tracks both imports and exports in real time.
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Solar export: Extra solar power your home sends to the grid.
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Interval data: Readings recorded every 15–30 minutes, used by retailers to calculate FiT credits.
For retailer-specific rules, see Retailer Rates.
Worked Example 1 — Daily Export
Suppose your home exports 12 kWh per day. With a FiT of 10c/kWh, you earn:
12 × $0.10 = $1.20/day
Because the smart meter records exports in intervals, every kWh gets credited correctly. To check your potential savings, try the FiT Savings Calculator.
Worked Example 2 — Seasonal Difference
Imagine your system exports 600 kWh in summer but only 300 kWh in winter. At a FiT of 8c/kWh, the credits look like this:
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Summer: 600 × $0.08 = $48
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Winter: 300 × $0.08 = $24
Smart meters capture this seasonal change precisely. You can estimate exports in your area with the Postcode Estimator.
Worked Example 3 — Time-of-Export Tariff
Now consider a time-based FiT plan:
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Peak export (2–4 pm): 5 kWh × 12c = $0.60
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Off-peak export: 10 kWh × 6c = $0.60
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Total daily credit = $1.20
Without a smart meter, such detailed billing would not be possible. To see which states offer these plans, check Compare FiT by State.
Why Smart Meters Matter
Smart meters benefit solar households in several ways:
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They improve billing accuracy. You only pay for imported power and always receive credit for exported solar.
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They enable time-of-export FiTs. Retailers rely on interval data to calculate higher or lower rates at different times of day.
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They help optimise energy use. With access to detailed data, you can plan EV charging or battery usage better.
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They prepare homes for the future. Smart meters support virtual power plants and demand-response programs.
To track changing FiT offers over time, use the Rate Change Tracker.
FAQs
Q1. Do I need a smart meter to get FiT?
Yes. Without it, retailers cannot measure your exports, so you would not receive credits.
Q2. Can smart meters make mistakes?
They are very accurate. Still, billing errors sometimes occur, so it’s wise to check your bill’s solar export line regularly.
Q3. Who pays for installation?
Retailers usually arrange the upgrade. In many cases, the meter comes at no direct cost when installing solar.
Q4. How often is export data sent to my retailer?
Most retailers collect it daily, while some use 30-minute intervals for billing.
Conclusion
Smart meters are the foundation of modern solar billing. They measure every exported kilowatt, ensure fair FiT credits, and allow households to benefit from time-based tariffs. By tracking exports across seasons and times of day, they make your solar investment more transparent and more valuable.
To understand your potential savings, try the Solar ROI Fit Calculator.