{"id":5866,"date":"2025-08-29T13:28:38","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T07:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/?p=5866"},"modified":"2026-03-18T13:48:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T08:18:16","slug":"smart-meter-reader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/smart-meter-reader\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Smart Meter Reader? Explore Types, Working, Pros, Cons, and Cost"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A smart meter reader, or simply a smart meter or AMI meter, is an advanced metering device that automatically records how much electricity you use and sends that data to your power distribution company (discom) in near real time. Unlike traditional energy meters that need manual readings once a month, smart meters use two-way communication:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They share your electricity usage with the utility company (discom)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They let you see your consumption patterns almost instantly<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These meters send usage information to the discoms every 1 hour or less. So, you don\u2019t have to wait until the end of the month to find out how much power you\u2019ve consumed. Here\u2019s what this means.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>For discoms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This means more accurate billing, faster detection of power theft, and better monitoring of grid performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>For consumers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It means fewer billing disputes, easier tracking of daily electricity use, and the chance to shift heavy-load activities away from peak hours to save money and reduce stress on the grid.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart meters also play a key role in supporting the adoption of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/solar-renewable-energy\/\"><b>solar renewable energy<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, if you plan to install an on-grid <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/homes\"><b>rooftop solar panel system for homes<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, your smart meter will manage <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/solar-power-net-metering\/\"><b>net metering<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by recording the power you consume and the surplus energy you send back to the grid. You won\u2019t separately need a bidirectional net meter because your digital electricity meter will work like one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This way, you can cut your electricity bills by 90% or even offset them entirely by using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/uses-of-solar-electricity\/\"><b>solar electricity<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> generated by your rooftop <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/pages\/on-grid-solar-system\"><b>on-grid solar system<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Indian government has also launched the Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP) that aims to replace 25 crore normal meters in India with smart electricity meters.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, you\u2019ll learn what a smart meter is, how it works, its types, benefits, drawbacks, and cost. You\u2019ll also learn why installing on-grid <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/housing-society\"><b>rooftop solar for housing societies<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, homes, and commercial buildings is a great idea when replacing your normal meter with a smart meter reader in India.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TLDR_Summary_Box_What_Exactly_Does_a_Smart_Meter_Do\"><\/span><b>TL;DR Summary Box: What Exactly Does a Smart Meter Do?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A smart meter reader<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">automatically measures and transmits electricity usage data to utility companies. It eliminates the need for manual meter readings that are mandatory with normal energy meters. These smart energy meters use multiple communication technologies, including Wi-Fi routers, cellular mobile data, or power line communication, to ensure reliable data transmission between meters and utility companies.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the main topics covered in this blog in detail:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Main Topic<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Key Takeaways<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a smart meter?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A smart meter reader is a digital electric meter that records power use in real time and sends it automatically to the utility company.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the difference between a smart meter reader and a normal energy meter?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A normal meter needs manual reading once a month, while a smart meter sends data automatically every hour or less.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the types of smart energy meters?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart meters can be single-phase for homes, three-phase for businesses\/industries, prepaid for paying in advance, or based on how they send data (cellular, RF mesh, or PLC).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the Smart Meter National Programme?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s the government&#8217;s plan to replace 25 crore old meters in India with smart meters. The goal is to reduce billing errors, minimize losses, and enhance the reliability of the power supply.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the smart meter price in India?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prices vary by state. Discoms cover some costs, but in many places, consumers still pay part of the smart meter price.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the benefits of a digital electric meter?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart meters provide accurate bills, display real-time usage, minimize power cuts, detect theft, and support solar energy systems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the drawbacks of an AMI meter?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They cost more to install and depend on network signals. Some consumers also find them harder to understand or resist paying extra for them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why switching to solar makes sense when installing smart electricity meters in homes?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a smart meter, your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/solar-rooftops\/\"><b>rooftop solar<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> connects directly to the grid. It tracks both usage and surplus power sent to the grid.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Smart_Meter_Reader\"><\/span><b>What is a Smart Meter Reader?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A smart meter reader is a digital electric meter that automatically records electricity consumption at homes, housing societies, and offices, and uses wireless networks to send the recorded data to the utility company every 1 hour or less. Unlike traditional energy meters, which require a meter reader to visit your property monthly for manual consumption checks, smart meters automate the entire process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They eliminate the need for physical visits by sending consumption data electronically. These intelligent devices function like small computers, measuring, storing, and communicating electricity usage information in near real-time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since everything here is automated, these meters offer multiple benefits to consumers and discoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discoms benefit as power theft can be easily detected, which was unlikely in manual traditional meters.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumers can\u2019t be overcharged because smart meters record the actual electricity usage in near real time, taking human error and guessing out of the equation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_a_Smart_Energy_Meter_Work\"><\/span><b>How Does a Smart Energy Meter Work?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart energy meters measure, record, process, and communicate the electricity consumption data to discoms in real time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The device records energy consumed using electronic sensors, processes this information through built-in microprocessors, and transmits the data to utility companies through various communication networks. This automated process eliminates human error completely.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the main components of smart meter readers and how they work to record and send electricity consumption data:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Measurement processor<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It records the electricity units consumed by the user in real time.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Communication module<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It transmits the consumption data via cellular, RF, or power line communication.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Display unit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It shows real-time power consumption and billing information.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Memory storage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It stores historical usage data and system parameters.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Security encryption<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It protects data during transmission and prevents meter tampering.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Power supply unit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It ensures continuous operation even during power fluctuations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know the core components that make it possible to record and transmit the electricity consumption data, let\u2019s learn how this happens in simple steps:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Step 1: Electronic sensors in the digital electric meter monitor and measure energy consumed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The electronic sensors continuously monitor electrical current and voltage flowing through your home&#8217;s main electrical connection. These sensors are far more accurate than traditional meters and can detect even small changes in power consumption.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Step 2: The microprocessors in the AMI meter process the data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The built-in microprocessors calculate actual energy consumption in kWh by processing voltage and current measurements. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They also record additional information, such as power factor, peak demand, and the times when high-power appliances consumed the most electricity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Step 3: Recorded data is then stored<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: All consumption data is stored in the smart energy meter&#8217;s memory. The meter can store up to 35-45 days of detailed usage history. This ensures no data is lost even if communication is temporarily interrupted.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Step 4: Stored data is transmitted to the utility company in near real-time<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The communication module sends consumption data to the utility company in every 1 hour or less through the selected communication network (cellular, RF, or power line communication).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Step 5: The discom receives the power consumption data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The utility company&#8217;s data management system receives and processes the consumption information. It helps update customer accounts in real-time. This eliminates the need for estimated billing and allows immediate detection of power outages or unusual usage patterns.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Step 6: Consumers can access the details remotely from anywhere<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Processed data becomes available to consumers through mobile apps or web portals. It provides real-time visibility into electricity consumption and costs. You can use the available information to identify appliances that consume the most power during peak demand hours and shift their usage to less busy hours, thereby reducing stress on the grid.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Difference_Between_a_Smart_Energy_Meter_and_a_Normal_Energy_Meter\"><\/span><b>What is the Difference Between a Smart Energy Meter and a Normal Energy Meter?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main difference between smart meter readers and normal energy meters is the way in which they communicate and manage electricity consumption data. While traditional energy meters require manual reading and provide very limited information, smart meters automatically measure, record, and transmit the electricity consumption data to the discom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, smart energy meters, unlike normal energy meters, offer a two-way communication between discoms and consumers, making them truly bidirectional and very useful for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/grid-connected-pv-system\/\"><b>grid-connected solar energy systems<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a tabulated snapshot of the key differences between the two types:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Feature\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Smart Meter Reader<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Normal Energy Meter<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data reading process<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Automatic wireless transmission every 1 hour or less.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manual reading by a meter reader at the end of every month.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bill accuracy\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extremely accurate with real consumption data.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often estimated bills between readings.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remote services\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remote disconnection, reconnection, and monitoring services available.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Requires physical visit for all services.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Energy monitoring<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Real-time usage tracking via mobile apps.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No usage visibility to consumers or utility companies between bill cycles.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electricity theft detection feature<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advanced tamper alerts and theft detection feature raise alerts if the meter is tampered with.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No theft detection feature available.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Power outage management\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instant outage detection and restoration updates.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides consumers with insights into peak demand hours, enabling them to shift high-load appliance usage to non-peak hours, reducing load on the grid. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manual reporting is required for outages.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintenance\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remote diagnostics and software updates available from time-to-time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical inspection and manual maintenance are the only ways for maintenance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data storage\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">35+ days of consumption history stored.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No historical data storage capability.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication technology used<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cellular, RF, or power line communication<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No communication features<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compatibility with grid-connected solar systems<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fully compatible with on-grid solar energy systems and works as a bi-directional net meter.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not compatible with solar energy systems. They have to be replaced with smart meters or bidirectional net meters when installing residential or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/commercial\"><b>commercial rooftop systems<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_Types_of_Smart_Meter_Readers\"><\/span><b>What are the Types of Smart Meter Readers?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main types of smart meter readers include single-phase smart meters for residential use, three-phase smart meters for commercial applications, prepaid meters for budget control, and different communication variants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s check out all the types of smart electricity meters in detail:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Single-phase smart meters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These are suitable for residential consumers with electrical loads up to 10-20 kW. They are ideal for small-to-medium Indian homes, small shops, and apartments with household appliances and lighting systems.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Three-phase smart meters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: They are suitable for commercial, industrial, and high-consumption residential areas where loads exceed 20 kW. These meters handle heavy machinery, large commercial establishments, and industrial facilities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Prepaid smart meters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These meters allow consumers to purchase electricity credits in advance. They automatically disconnect power when the balance runs out. They\u2019re excellent for budget control and are popular for rental properties.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>GSM smart meters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: They use cellular networks (2G\/3G\/4G) for data transmission and provide reliable communication over an unlimited range. These meters work well in areas with good mobile network coverage and offer real-time data transmission capabilities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>RF mesh smart meters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These meters communicate through radio frequency mesh networks with a 1-2 km range between the meters and data collectors.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>PLC smart meters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These digital electric meters use existing power lines for data communication. They\u2019re quite cost-effective for utility companies. However, their reliability depends on power line quality and electrical noise.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Smart_Meter_National_Programme\"><\/span><b>What is the Smart Meter National Programme?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP) is an initiative by the Indian government to replace all the old electricity meters in the country with new smart meters. The target is to install 25 crore smart meters across the entire country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the main objectives of the Smart Meter National Programme:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>For utility companies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Electricity companies can read consumer\u2019s power usage automatically, send accurate bills on time, and detect problems like power theft or overloading immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>For consumers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Having smart meters means no more wrong bills, no need to wait for someone to come and note the meter reading, and the ability to see how much electricity is being used in near real time.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This programme is also connected with the government\u2019s plan to make electricity supply more reliable and to encourage people to save energy. Since smart meters make it easier to use rooftop solar and manage electricity efficiently, they are seen as an important step toward a smarter grid in India.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b><i>Please note<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Smart Meter National Programme uses a TOTEX model (CAPEX + OPEX) under the DBFOOT approach. Here, private service providers (AMISPs) design, build, finance, own, and operate smart meters. Later, they transfer rights to the discoms. Instead of paying upfront, discoms make regular payments that are tied to a Service Level Agreement (SLA). It means AMISPs get paid only if the meters and services work properly. This way, the provider is responsible for the entire project lifecycle and ensures reliable performance.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Does_a_Smart_Meter_Cost_in_India\"><\/span><b>How Much Does a Smart Meter Cost in India?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart meter cost in India varies from city to city. For instance, the smart meter price in Karnataka for a single meter is Rs. 4,998. On the contrary, in Sikkim, the highest recorded price for a single smart meter has been Rs. 14,679.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although AMI fees for network and tech are covered by discoms in many cities, consumers still have to pay a significant portion of the smart meter price. However, the government makes it clear that the entire amount doesn\u2019t have to be paid all at once to reduce financial burden on consumers.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_Benefits_of_a_Smart_Energy_Meter\"><\/span><b>What are the Benefits of a Smart Energy Meter?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart energy meters make life easier for both consumers and utility companies. For consumers, these digital electric meters provide a clear picture of how much electricity is being used, help avoid wrong bills, and even play a role in reducing power cuts. For utility companies, this technology improves efficiency, reduces losses, and detects meter tampering and power theft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s check out all the benefits\/advantages of smart energy meters in detail:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Accurate billing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Since readings are sent automatically, there\u2019s no chance of human error in billing. Consumers only pay for what they actually use.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Real-time energy monitoring and tracking<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You can see your daily or even hourly electricity usage. It can help you understand which appliances are consuming the most power.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>No manual meter reading:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You don\u2019t have to wait for someone to come to your house every month to take the reading. Everything happens remotely and automatically with utmost accuracy.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fewer power cuts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> By helping discoms manage demand better, smart energy meters reduce the chances of overloading and sudden power cuts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Detects electricity theft:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Smart meter readers make it easier for discoms to catch power theft, which reduces overall losses.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Supports solar and renewables:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you have rooftop solar at your home, you won\u2019t need a bidirectional meter if you already have a smart meter. Your smart meter will keep track of both the electricity you use and the extra units you send back to the grid.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cost savings for consumers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> By checking your real-time electricity usage, you can shift heavy appliances like washing machines or ACs to non-peak hours and lower your electricity bills.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Better customer service:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> With fewer billing disputes and faster problem detection, both customers and discoms save time and effort.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Faster outage detection<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Smart meters send automatic alerts to utility companies about power outages. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hence, power is restored more swiftly than possible with normal energy meters, where complaints have to be filed manually.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Remote services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Smart electricity meters allow online bill payments, service requests, and account management without requiring physical visits or phone calls to utility offices.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Energy efficiency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These meters can help you identify energy-wasting appliances and optimize usage patterns through detailed consumption analytics and historical data.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Prepaid options<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Smart meters also offer prepaid electricity plans for better budget control and expense management.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_Drawbacks_of_a_Smart_Meter\"><\/span><b>What are the Drawbacks of a Smart Meter?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While smart meters offer many advantages, they do have a higher installation cost, which consumers have to bear. Besides the installation cost, which is a significant challenge, these meters also have a learning curve and a dependence on network connectivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s check out all the current challenges that AMI meters face:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>High installation cost:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Smart meters are more expensive than regular meters. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the smart meter price can be paid slowly over time, it remains a financial burden for consumers.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Data privacy concerns:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Since smart meters send detailed usage data, some people worry about how this information is stored and who can access it.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dependence on network connectivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If the communication network is weak or goes down, the meter may fail to send data properly.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Learning curve for consumers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Not everyone finds it easy to understand or use the new digital interface and apps linked to smart meters.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Maintenance and reliability issues:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Like any digital device, smart meters can face technical glitches or need repairs. This can add to long-term costs.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Resistance to adoption:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Some households are hesitant to switch due to a lack of awareness, fear of higher bills, mistrust of new technology, and high upfront investment.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_You_Install_Rooftop_On-Grid_Solar_While_Upgrading_to_AMI_Meters\"><\/span><b>Should You Install Rooftop On-Grid Solar While Upgrading to AMI Meters?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s the best decision to install on-grid rooftop solar systems if you\u2019re currently upgrading to smart meters or have them at your property already. Since these meters already offer two-way communication, they won\u2019t have to be replaced with any other meter for the solar system to work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/on-grid-vs-off-grid\/\"><b>on-grid solar systems have many benefits over off-grid solar systems<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Homeowners and housing societies <\/b><b>receive <\/b><b>a <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/solar-panel-subsidy-in-india-under-pm-surya-ghar-muft-bijli-yojana\/\"><b>subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This subsidy is offered for installing on-grid rooftop solar systems only. If you install <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/pages\/off-grid-solar-system\"><b>off-grid solar systems<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that consist of a lithium battery bank or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/ground-mounted-solar\/\"><b>ground-mounted solar systems<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you won\u2019t be able to take advantage of the subsidy scheme.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>You won\u2019t have to worry about rising electricity tariffs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The government increases electricity rates in India by 3-6% annually. If you have an on-grid rooftop solar system, you won\u2019t have to worry about inflating tariffs as your solar system will produce free solar electricity throughout its life, which is at least 25 years with proper maintenance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Your electricity bills will reduce by 90% or more<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: An <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=J1UeeiXY6rM\"><b>appropriately-sized solar system<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will take care of all your energy requirements, reducing the need for grid electricity. Many consumers also report getting zero bills after going solar.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The initial investment cost will break even in 3-5 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Since on-grid solar systems do not require lithium batteries (which are expensive to install and maintain), the upfront investment cost breaks even in 3-5 years. After that, you will enjoy free electricity for decades.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>Initial Investment Cost vs Solar Savings From On-Grid Solar Systems in 25 Years<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a simple tabulated comparison between the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/solar-panel-installation-cost-in-india\/\"><b>cost of installing a rooftop on-grid solar system<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a city like Nagpur and the money that system ends up saving in 25 years of its life:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Solar System Size\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Solar Panel Price in Nagpur With Subsidy (Starting Price &#8211; Indicative for Base Variant)*\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Solar Savings in Nagpur in 25 Years*<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 kWp\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 1.15 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 11.05 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 kWp<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 1.32 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 16.58 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4 kWp<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 1.77 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 22.11 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 kWp<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 2.27 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 34.43 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 kWp<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 5.02 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~ Rs. 68.86 lakh<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p><b><i>*Please note<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The above-mentioned solar plate price<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is indicative as of 26th August 2025 for the SolarSquare Blue 6ft variant<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final cost of installing an on-grid rooftop solar panel system at home depends on your DISCOM charges, product variant opted for, panel type, inverter type, mounting structure height, type of after-sales service, savings guarantee, roof height, etc. Prices are subject to change. Additionally, while calculating savings, we have considered the annual tariff escalation at 3% and the annual degradation at 1%. The actual final savings from solar panel installation depend on the types of solar panels you\u2019ve installed and their efficiency, intensity of sunlight your rooftop receives, orientation of the panels and tilt angle, the pollution level and weather conditions in your city, the temperature, shadow on the roof, impact of dirt\/dust, and how well you maintain your panels after installation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/blog\/solar-calculator\/\"><b>SolarSquare\u2019s free solar rooftop calculator<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to calculate solar savings from an on-grid rooftop solar system in your city. For any further information, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarsquare.in\/go-solar\"><b>book a free solar consultation call with our experts<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><b>Conclusion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart meters are advanced energy monitoring devices that offer improved billing accuracy, real-time consumption monitoring, and enhanced grid management capabilities. These meters are hard to tamper with, and they also ensure that consumers are being charged only for the exact electricity units they\u2019re consuming; nothing less and nothing more.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the high upfront installation cost is the biggest challenge the government currently faces in making smart meters widely popular amongst homeowners. Nevertheless, these digital electric meters are set to replace traditional energy meters in India in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\r\n                <div id=\"solar-calc-blog-component\">\n                <section class='calculate-savings'>\n                    <div class=\"calc-header\">\n                        <h6 class=\"calc-title\">Calculate your savings<\/h6>\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sse-website.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/arrow_right.webp\" alt=\"arrow_icon\"\/>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <p class=\"calc-subtitle\">\n                        Forecast your savings with solar on your investment on the SolarSquare\u2019s plant\n                    <\/p>\n                <\/section>\n                <section class=\"solar-calc-form\">\n                    <form id=\"scalcPageFormComp\" class=\"scalc-form-submission\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" method=\"POST\" enctype=\"multipart\/form-data\">\n                        <div class=\"form-wrapper form-flex-box pincode-solar-calc\" style=\"padding-bottom:10px;\">\n                        <div class=\"pincode-form\">\n                            <label for=\"homes_pincode\" class=\"form-label-solar\">Pin code *<\/label>\n                            <input type=\"text\" class=\"form-input-solar\" id=\"homes_pincode\" name=\"pin\" aria-describedby=\"Pin code\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Enter Pin Code\" \/>\n                            <!-- <small class=\"error-message-mobile text-danger d-none\">Please enter a valid pincode.<\/small> -->\n                            <div class=\"error-message-mobile invalid-pincode d-none\" style=\"font-size: 0.85rem;\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/sse-website.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/error_outline.svg\" alt=\"Error outline\" style=\"padding: 0px;\"\/>\n                                <span class=\"error-pin-text\">Please enter a valid pincode.<\/span>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"not-active-city d-none\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sse-website.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/Frame+1355873452.svg\" alt=\"City map\"\/>\n                                <div class=\"not-active-city-text\">\n                                    <div class=\"not-active-city-text-title\">Oh! We haven\u2019t reached your location yet<\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"not-active-city-text-subtitle\">We are not yet servicable at your location but we will soon!<\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"city-form\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                            <label for=\"homes_city\" class=\"form-label-solar\">City<\/label>\n                            <input type=\"text\" class=\"form-input-solar\" id=\"homes_city\" name=\"city\" aria-describedby=\"City\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Enter city name\">\n                        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"form-wrapper form-flex-box bill-solar-calc\" style=\"padding-bottom:58px;\">\n                            <div class=\"silder-form\">\n                                <div class=\"slider-tooltip\">\n                                    <label for=\"homes_bill_slider\" class=\"form-label-solar mb-1\">Avg electricity bill<\/label>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" id=\"tooltip-info\" src=\"https:\/\/sse-website.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/info+(1).svg\" data-bs-toggle=\"tooltip\" data-bs-placement=\"top\" data-bs-html=\"true\" \n                                        title='Take a 12-month average of your electricity bills, combining all meters before averaging.' \n                                        data-bs-custom-class=\"tooltip-custom\" style=\"cursor: pointer;\" alt=\"Info Image\" \/>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"slider-form-label\">\n                                    <span class=\"slider-form-label-text\">Min. 500<\/span>\n                                    <span class=\"slider-form-label-text\">Max \u20b910,000<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <input type=\"text\" hidden id=\"amount\" readonly=\"\" style=\"border:0; color:#f6931f; font-weight:bold;\">\n                                <div id=\"slider-meow\" style=\"background-color: white;\">\n                                    <div id=\"custom-handle\" class=\"ui-slider-handle\">\n                                        <span class=\"slider-value-box\"><\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <button type=\"submit\" disabled id=\"calculate-now-calc\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-lg signup-electricity\" style=\"width: max-content;\" role=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"true\">\n                            Calculate now\n                        <\/button>\n                    <\/form>\n                <\/section>\n            <\/div>\n    \r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span><strong>FAQs<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><b>Q1. Is a smart meter compulsory in India?<\/b><\/p><p>Ans. The government has planned to replace all old electricity meters with smart meters under the Smart Meter National Programme. In many states, it is already becoming compulsory.<\/p><p><b>Q2. What is the objective behind smart metering?<\/b><\/p><p>Ans. The main objective of AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) is to make electricity management smarter. It enables the utility company to read meters remotely without errors, quickly identify network issues, analyze when and how people use electricity, and conduct proper energy audits to reduce losses. Instead of cutting power completely during high demand, AMI also makes it possible to reduce only part of the load by controlling certain appliances or areas. Thus, the impact on consumers is much smaller.<\/p><p><b>Q3. How much electricity does a smart meter use?<\/b><\/p><p>Ans. A smart meter uses such a tiny amount of power and costs practically nothing on your electricity bill.<\/p><p><b>Q4. Can I monitor my smart meter on my phone?<\/b><\/p><p>Ans. Yes, most smart meters come with apps or online portals where you can check your daily electricity use right from your phone.<\/p><p><b>Q5. Do smart meters need Wi-Fi?<\/b><\/p><p>Ans. No, they don\u2019t use your home Wi-Fi. Smart meters connect using their own network, like cellular, power-line communication (PLC), or wireless mesh systems. They send data directly to the utility using their own communication module, not through your home internet.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want to know what is a smart meter? Click here for a brief guide about smart electricit...","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is a Smart Meter Reader? Explore Types, Working, Benefits, Cons, And Cost<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A smart meter reader is an AMI meter that automatically records electricity consumption in near real time, and sends the data to the discom without the need for physical meter reading. 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