Net metering is the practice of using a single utility meter that “nets out” both what is “drawn” from the grid and what is “returned” or fed back to the grid. When a PV system generates power beyond what the building is consuming, this surplus power is fed back into the utility grid, making the electric meter actually spin backwards. If you generate more electricity than you consume at the end of the month, the customer will receive full retail credit (and possibly cash) from the utility provider per their policy.