Will your switchboard need upgrading for solar?
The switchboard is where solar jobs stall. Answer five questions to see if yours is likely to need work, from an electrical contractor that has been doing switchboards since 2007.
Updated November 2026 · Litmec Electrical, REC-10383
A switchboard usually needs work before solar if it has ceramic (rewireable) fuses, no safety switch (RCD), an old fibrous backing board that may contain asbestos, or no room for the solar and battery breakers.
Houses wired before the 1980s are the most likely to need it. Newer homes usually only need a breaker or two added.
What solar needs from your switchboard
- A dedicated breaker for the solar, and another for a battery, with a clearly labelled isolator.
- RCD protection on the new circuits, and in practice on the final subcircuits being worked on.
- Circuit breakers, not ceramic fuses. Rewireable fuses are not compatible with modern protection requirements.
- A safe enclosure and backing. Older boards are often mounted on fibrous panels that may contain asbestos, which has to be handled under licensed conditions before new equipment goes on.
- Room. A full board needs a larger enclosure or a sub-board.
- Mains and meter that can carry it. Larger systems, batteries and EV chargers together sometimes need a supply or meter-box upgrade, or three phase.
Why this matters before you sign
Many solar retailers aren't electrical contractors. The installer finds the old board on install day, the job stops, and a variation turns up. We're electricians first: we check the board on the site visit and price any work in the quote, so the price you sign is the price you pay.
Who does the work
Switchboard work on Litmec solar jobs is done by Litmec's own licensed electricians, under our Registered Electrical Contractor number REC-10383, before the solar goes on. More on switchboard upgrades on our main site.
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Questions
Do I need a switchboard upgrade for solar panels?
Not always. Homes with circuit breakers, RCDs and spare space usually only need breakers added. Ceramic fuses, no RCDs, an old fibrous backing board or a full board usually mean an upgrade.
How do I know if my switchboard has asbestos?
You can't tell by looking. Boards installed before the late 1980s were often mounted on fibrous panels that may contain asbestos. Don't drill or break it; an electrician will treat it as asbestos unless tested.
Can solar be connected to a board with ceramic fuses?
Not in a compliant way. The fuses are replaced with circuit breakers and RCDs as part of the job.
Will the switchboard work be in my solar quote?
With Litmec, yes. We inspect the board on the site visit and list any switchboard work as its own line on the quote.
Check it on your roof
One minute online, then a free visit from a licensed electrician who checks your roof and switchboard.