Solar consumers that continue on an accumulative tariff, according to Stefan Jarnason, CEO of solar monitoring business Solar Analytics, "are likely to be better off." He believes that solar families should not be forced to use smart meters. Any new meter placed in NSW after July 1, 2017 must be a smart meter. The government-owned power company has been installing solar panels and energy storage systems on homes and businesses across Australia as part as its Solar Flagship program. Under the program, households and businesses can apply for grants or low-interest loans to install solar PV systems. The majority of solar installations in Australia are monitored using non-smart technologies. About 10 percent are monitored by smart meters. This means that they measure how much electricity is used at different times of day and display this information on your bill. But some consumers may object to having a smart meter installed, so they cannot have solar energy turned on during this process. There are two ways around this problem. First, consumers can choose to have net metering. Under this system, your solar panel's output is matched against your household's consumption of electricity. You do not pay for the electricity you consume, but an equal amount is credited to your account. Second, consumers can ask their current power provider if they can continue receiving their electricity without a smart meter. Most will agree to this request. In conclusion, solar technology is evolving quickly and it is important for consumers to understand how these systems work.