ᐅ Meter Slots in the Electrical Panel – How Many Are Required?

Hello everyone!

We still need to specify to the electrician which meter cabinet we want. Of course, they also need to know how many meter slots are required.
Our electricity provider advised us to plan for 4 slots to be future-proof.
We will have a heat pump (which we intend to operate without a separate meter), photovoltaic is being prepared, and at the moment, an electric car is not planned. However, we are having power installed at one spot in the garage in case it becomes necessary later.

Is it really necessary to plan for 4 slots? How have you handled this?

In this case, having 4 parking spaces is highly recommended!!

1 space should always be kept as a reserve, 1 space is mandatory, and if photovoltaic panels are installed, then 2 spaces become mandatory. Therefore, 4 spaces are ideal!!

4 meter spots in a single-family house... now that’s a statement. Of course, that also means 4x base fees in any case.

I would understand if someone advised you to reserve the second spot for the heat pump, since nobody can predict how prices and subsidies will develop. But I don’t think it will move in a way that really benefits the end customers.

But what advice can you get as an outsider now?

We had two meter spots for the household and the heat pump. One has since been removed because of the photovoltaic system.

There is also a considerable extra cost for the distribution box,

We found that pretty intense as well. Of course, the distribution box is more expensive and—in extreme cases—there may also be basic fees. But if a spot is missing, you usually don’t want to start retrofitting right away (is that even possible?).

And as Tom writes (who obviously knows his stuff) that this is recommended... well, I’m starting to doubt it as well.

The electrician’s quote is still missing to compare the price difference between the cabinets, and then we will have to decide so things can finally move forward!

Either mine just wants to make money, but he only wants a surcharge of 1300 euros for two spots.