A meter board upgrade involves updating the main switchboard and distribution boards where all apartment electrical meters are located. These upgrades ensure that the electrical infrastructure meets current safety and regulatory standards.
Why might a meter board upgrade be required?
When making changes to a building's electrical system—such as adding solar panels or electrifying appliances—regulations mandate that the entire electrical setup be up to date.
Older infrastructure can struggle to handle the increased load from new appliances, creating potential safety issues. Ensuring your meter board is current helps prevent these problems and supports a safer building environment.
Benefits of upgrading your meter board:
Improved safety: Upgrades align your electrical system with modern safety standards, reducing risks of malfunctions or electrical fires.
Worker protection: Technicians are safer working on up-to-date infrastructure, as older systems can pose risks.
Insurance savings: Building insurance premiums may decrease with reduced fire and electrical risks.
Futureproofing: Upgrading prepares your building for future technologies such as battery storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and induction cooktops.
Meter panel likely to need an upgrade
Meter panel unlikely to need an upgrade
Determining the need for a meter board upgrade:
While some indications can be gathered remotely (e.g., through photos of your meter board), a thorough, on-site inspection by an electrician is the only way to confirm the need for an upgrade. Photos can help identify whether additional isolators are needed, but a complete assessment involves checking the following:
Wiring and cable sizes from the network to each apartment.
The condition of the current board, including whether asbestos is present.
Available space for additional solar switches or infrastructure.
Space for extension boards if the main board lacks capacity.
What to expect in terms of costs:
The cost of a meter board upgrade varies depending on the building's specific needs but typically ranges between $500 and $1,500 per apartment. Once the scope is determined, a detailed, per-building quote will be provided.
How to pay for a meter board upgrade:
Meter board upgrades are considered general building maintenance and can often be funded through the building's maintenance fund. If additional financial support is needed, strata finance options are available.
Note that it's important to quote meter board upgrades separately from solar installation costs for programs like Solar for Apartments.
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How it works
SolShare is a smart hardware that physically splits the electricity from your solar system.
An algorithm then decides where and when to send the energy to ensure everyone gets an equal share.
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