You have solar panels on your roof generating electricity. But how do you know if they're actually working? How can you tell if energy is flowing into your home or back out to the grid?
The answer is on your meter.
If you're on net energy metering (NEM), your electric meter is doing something different than a standard meter. It's tracking the difference between the energy you generate and the energy you consume. Understanding what your meter is telling you takes 2 minutes of learning, but it's one of the most useful skills for any solar customer.
This guide explains what you're looking at when you walk up to your smart meter and what each display element means.
Why NEM Meter Reading Matters
Most PG&E customers never look at their meter. The bill comes, they pay it, they move on.
But if you have solar, your meter is constantly switching between two states:
- Importing: You're using more electricity than you're generating (nighttime, cloudy days, high AC usage)
- Exporting: Your solar panels are generating more than you're using (sunny days, midday, low usage periods)
Being able to read your meter in real time tells you:
- Is my solar system producing right now?
- Am I sending electricity back to the grid?
- Is my meter working correctly?
- Am I heading toward a big true-up bill?
Most solar customers have no idea what their meter is showing them. PG&E's documentation is technical. This guide is simple.
The Three Types of NEM Meters
PG&E customers may have one of three meter types. Identify yours first.
Type 1: SmartMeter (Most Common for Solar)
If your meter has a digital display that updates every few seconds and you can see it change, you have a SmartMeter. This is the most common meter for modern solar installations.
Appearance: Rectangular, about the size of a small book, mounted on the side of your house. Digital LCD display. No spinning dial.
Type 2: Non-SmartMeter TOU (Older TOU Customers)
Some customers who requested specific time-of-use rate plans before the SmartMeter rollout still have older mechanical or basic digital meters.
Appearance: Older style, may have mechanical elements, LCD display with date and time info.
Type 3: Non-TOU Meter (Rare)
Very few residential customers have these anymore.
Appearance: Mechanical dial, no digital display (or very basic digital).
What we cover in this guide: Mostly SmartMeter (Type 1), since that's what 95% of solar customers have.
Reading a SmartMeter NEM Display
Walk up to your meter right now. Look at the display. You'll see several pieces of information. Here's what each one means.
The Five-Digit Number (Top Display)
This is your net kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy consumption. It's a cumulative number that only goes up (or down if you're a net producer over a long period, which is rare). This is what PG&E uses to calculate your bill.
What it shows: The total net energy you've consumed from PG&E since your meter was installed or reset. If you import 1,000 kWh from the grid and export 600 kWh back, your meter shows a net of 400 kWh.
Why it matters: This is the number PG&E looks at for billing. If you're concerned your bill is wrong, compare your meter reading to your bill. They should match for the billing period shown.
The Decimal Display (Bottom or Secondary Display)
Below the five-digit kWh number, you'll see another display showing a decimal number. This is your current power usage in kilowatts (kW).
kWh vs. kW — what's the difference?
| Term | Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| kWh (kilowatt-hour) | How much energy you've used over time (cumulative) | "I used 500 kWh last month" |
| kW (kilowatt) | How fast you're using energy right now | "My AC is using 3 kW right now" |
Think of it like driving: kWh is total miles driven, kW is your current speed.
The kW display updates constantly. If you turn on your AC, the number jumps up. If you turn it off, it drops. This real-time display is useful for understanding which appliances use the most power.
The Most Important Feature: The Moving Boxes
This is where it gets interesting. Look at your meter display. You'll see a series of boxes or segments that appear to move across the screen.
Boxes Moving Left-to-Right = You're Importing Energy
When the boxes move from left to right, energy is flowing into your home from the grid. You're consuming more electricity than your solar panels are generating.
When this happens:
- Night (no sun)
- Cloudy days
- Very high usage (AC running, multiple appliances on)
- Winter (shorter days, lower solar production)
Boxes Moving Right-to-Left = You're Exporting Energy
When the boxes move from right to left, energy is flowing back to the grid. Your solar panels are generating more electricity than you're consuming.
When this happens:
- Sunny midday (peak solar production)
- Low household usage (nobody home, minimal AC)
- Spring and summer (longer days, higher sun angles)
A Minus Sign = You're Sending Power Back
On some meter models, when you're exporting energy, a minus sign (−) appears to the left of the kW display. Different models show this differently:
- Some show a minus sign (−)
- Some show a left-pointing arrow
- Some display "Received" instead of "Delivered"
All of these mean the same thing: energy is flowing back to PG&E.
Real-World Examples
Scenario 1: Midday on a Clear Day
You walk to your meter at 2 PM on a sunny day.
- Five-digit display: 12,847 kWh (cumulative)
- kW display: 2.3 (your home is using 2.3 kilowatts right now)
- Boxes: Moving right-to-left
- Minus sign: Visible
What it means: Your solar panels are generating more than 2.3 kW. After powering your home, the extra is going back to the grid. You're in export mode.
Scenario 2: Evening (5 to 9 PM)
You check your meter at 7 PM.
- Five-digit display: 12,851 kWh (went up slightly)
- kW display: 5.1 (higher now — AC running, dinner cooking)
- Boxes: Moving left-to-right
- Minus sign: Not visible
What it means: The sun set. Your panels are producing nothing. You're drawing 5.1 kW from the grid. You're in import mode.
Scenario 3: Night (10 PM to 6 AM)
- Five-digit display: 12,860 kWh (another 9 kWh imported)
- kW display: 1.2 (low usage — mostly HVAC and standby loads)
- Boxes: Moving left-to-right
What it means: It's dark. You're importing all your energy from the grid until the sun comes up.
What Your SmartMeter Does NOT Show
Your SmartMeter display does not show TOU (Time-of-Use) breakdowns.
If you're on E-TOU-C, E-TOU-D, or another TOU plan, your meter doesn't tell you how much you used during peak hours vs. off-peak hours. To see your hourly TOU breakdown:
- Log into your PG&E account at pge.com
- Go to My Energy then Usage Details
- View your hour-by-hour consumption by time period
This is important for understanding your true-up bill if you're on TOU rates.
Troubleshooting: When Something Seems Wrong
The Display Isn't Moving
If the boxes aren't moving at all during the day, something may be wrong.
Possible causes: Your solar system is off or not producing (check inverter lights), it's cloudy or nighttime, or the meter has frozen (rare).
What to do: Call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 and request a meter accuracy test. This is free.
The Display Shows One Direction All Day
If the boxes only move left-to-right (importing) even at noon on a sunny day, your solar system may not be producing.
Possible causes: Inverter shut down, heavy shade on panels, or system malfunction.
What to do: Check your solar monitoring app first. If production shows zero, contact your solar installer.
The Meter Doesn't Match Your Bill
Your meter reading and your bill should match for the billing period shown. If they differ by more than 50 kWh:
- Take a photo of your meter
- Compare the reading to your bill
- Call PG&E with both numbers
- Request a meter accuracy test
Tracking Your Long-Term Solar Performance
Write down your meter reading on the same day each month. Compare the difference.
Example:
- June 1: 12,000 kWh
- July 1: 12,100 kWh
- Difference: You imported a net 100 kWh in June
In summer, this number should be small. In winter, it will be higher. If your summer net is suddenly much higher than last year's summer, your solar system may not be performing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does reading my meter use up any battery or damage it?
No. The meter is designed to be read. Looking at it or taking photos doesn't affect it.
Why do I see "888888" on my meter display?
This is a self-test the meter runs when it powers on. It's not an error and should clear within a few seconds.
Can I reset my meter to zero?
No. Only PG&E can reset a meter, and they only do this when replacing a meter or if an error is found.
What if my boxes move really fast?
The speed of the moving boxes indicates how much power is flowing. Fast movement means high power flow. This is normal and expected.
My meter shows I'm exporting but PG&E isn't crediting me for it. Why?
Your meter shows real-time flow, but PG&E's billing happens monthly. They may also credit export differently during peak vs. off-peak hours depending on your rate plan and whether you're on NEM 2 or NEM 3. Check your detailed bill breakdown. If numbers don't match, contact PG&E for a billing review.
Does my smart meter track solar production separately?
No. The SmartMeter only shows net energy flow (production minus consumption). To see your solar production separately, you need your solar system's monitoring app from your installer.
Start Reading Your Meter Today
Now that you know what to look for, go check your meter. Watch the boxes move. See if you're exporting or importing right now.
If you notice your meter reading doesn't match your PG&E bill, or if you suspect your system isn't producing as it should — upload your bill to My Big Bill. We'll analyze your usage patterns, check for billing errors, and give you a clear picture of your solar performance.
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