Thanks for this, this is the first report we've had of actual serious consequences from spinning the meter backwards.
I'm not sure about the legality of the PEA actually damaging private property but the home owner permitted it so ...
I would certainly not recommend the owners of large systems relying upon simply not getting caught which is the main reason we are in the process of upgrading to hybrid inverters with energy storage, if it were grid-tie our system would be well outside the allowable system parameters.
I suspect he's well above the 5kWp permitted for single-phase grid tie, maybe that's what upset PEA, looks like two arrays of 18 panels each.
By the way, it's not exactly difficult to replace those cut off cables and bring the array back into service. He would need a new hybrid inverter and energy storage of course.