Demystifying Net-Metering: How WBSEDCL Bi-directional Meters Work

The term "net-metering" sounds technical, but its concept is simple. It turns your electric utility grid into a giant virtual battery, eliminating the need to buy and replace expensive chemical batteries for daily home power use.

How Bi-directional Metering Operates

Standard electricity meters measure electricity flowing in only one direction (from the grid into your house). A bi-directional meter records two distinct registers:

• Import Register (kWh drawn): Units you draw from WBSEDCL at night or during heavy overcast weather.
• Export Register (kWh sent): Surplus solar units pushed into the WBSEDCL grid while you are at work or when generation exceeds consumption.

The Settlement Formula

At the end of your billing cycle:
Billed Units = Import Units - Export Units
If your panels produced 400 units and you used 350 units, your net consumption is zero, and the remaining 50 surplus units are banked forward to offset your bill in subsequent months.