Genie Energy added 21,000 net RCEs and 22,000 net meters during the quarter.
Inclusive of Orbit Energy, we ended the third quarter with the largest global customer base in our history, 442,000 RCEs and 558,000 meters.
GRE added 7,000 net RCEs and 1,000 net meters during the quarter.
GRE's gross domestic meter adds in the third quarter totaled 44,000, a 4,000 meter increase from the previous quarter but still a 32,000 meter decrease from the pre-COVID-19 level we achieved in the third quarter of last year.
Monthly average churn fell to 3.7% from 3.9% last quarter and from 5.3% in the year ago quarter.
We added 14,000 net RCEs and 21,000 net meters during the quarter.
At September 30, our International book held 92,000 RCEs and 182,000 meters, contributing 1/5 of our global RCEs and 1/3 of our global meters.
In the U.K., where we operate through our Orbit Energy joint venture, our meter and RCE counts both increased more than 70% compared to the third quarter a year ago and generated revenue at an annual rate of more than $50 million.
In light of Orbit's rapid growth and promising potential, we bought out our JV partner's interest for $1.7 million last month.
At Genie Oil and Gas, we were able to begin our testing at Afek Ness 10 drilling site in Israel's Golan Heights last week.
Consolidated revenue increased in the third quarter of 2020 by 12% to $96 million.
Revenue at Genie Retail Energy, or GRE, our domestic REP segment increased 10% to $89 million on a significant increase in average per meter electricity consumption that Michael mentioned.
At Genie Retail Energy International, the segment that comprises our REP operations outside of the U.S., revenue increased 92% to $5.8 million on meter growth and higher average revenue per meter.
Consolidated gross profit, predominantly generated by GRE, increased 4% to $27 million as the increase in kilowatt hour sold offset a decrease in gross profit per kilowatt hour sold.
Gross margin decreased 240 basis points to 28.4% on the decrease in gross profit per kilowatt hour sold at GRE.
Our consolidated SG&A spend decreased 3% to $19 million, as domestic restrictions on face-to-face customer acquisition programs during the pandemic slowed the pace of gross meter adds, which was only partially offset by higher spending on customer acquisition internationally.
Equity and the net loss in equity method investees was $146,000 this quarter compared to $238,000 in the year ago quarter, reflecting our share of the results at Atid in Israel.
As Michael mentioned, following quarter end, we acquired our partner's stake in the U.K. venture for $1.7 million.
Consolidated income from operations increased 22% to $8.5 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 19% to $9.5 million.
At GRE, income from operations increased 14% to $12.3 million, and adjusted EBITDA increased 13% to $12.6 million.
The loss from operations at Genie International was $1.6 million, and adjusted EBITDA loss came in at $1 million, both unchanged from levels in the year ago quarter.
Consolidated earnings per diluted share increased to $0.24 from $0.18 in the year ago quarter.
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased to $49 million at September 30, 2020, from $42 million at the close of the second quarter, while working capital increased to $55 million from $49 million.

Summary:
Consolidated earnings per diluted share increased to $0.24 from $0.18 in the year ago quarter.