Ill probably get a warning for discussing this but here goes...
1. Depends on where your power is located above/below ground.
2. depends on wether you have the ability to "Augment" your power supply with some sort of
FUEL CELL or
TURBINE
3. Depends on the type of meter and the power company your dealing with.
Stealing is nearly impossible on a large scale. power companies have Load detection on the grid. if they detect a few missing kW in a given area they will usually send a truck to find the issue... usually a bad transformer etc...
Meters are notoriously bad at keeping the actual reading acurate. some have been tested @ 5% difference..... most are within the 2% tolerances. that being said its been rumored that using rare earth magnest like a sandwich on the meter can and does slow the meter...
If you have a digital meter forget it... they use Ethernet over power to communicate with the power company called aptly enough "Smart Meter" they also have a tamper alarm...
Solar panels come in 250W models for about 800$ EACH......
if you have underground power its been shown on "Holmes on Homes" how they stole power using a 6" hole saw and cutting into the foundation of the home below the meter and using a "piggyback splice" directly into the line subverting the meter... Illegal mind you.
"Trapping" as it was described to me is subverting the power line while the home is being built. or a new meter assembly installed.
which the power companies will happily change out your meter and line if your remodeling.... ILLEGAL mind you
If you just happen to be close to a MEGAWATT AM station you could erect a tower and rectify the power. "so ive heard"
An induction coil placed near high power lines would generate electricity.. just how much would depend on distance
Since radiated energy drops off at the square of the distance double the distance = 1/4 the power it would have to be pretty close.. ALTHOUGH if you hold a t5 tube under HV powerlines it WILL glow...
Now that we had this chat DONT STEAL POWER... youll get yourself killed or put in jail for some time...
Either Augment your power sources or pay your bills!