Dodgy Operators - Find Out How to Ensure You Don't Get Taken for a Ride

Archived News, Posted on 30 May 2011

Dodgy operators, policy yo-yo take the shine off solar
Carolyn Boyd
May 29, 2011

Comments 16

Getting your head around what's happening in the solar industry takes more than a little time.

You've got solar companies screaming they are all about to be run out of their states by governments scaling back generous feed-in tariffs on top of the federal government winding back its support for the upfront costs.

At the same time, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a warning that solar power retailers must ensure their claims are true - or risk civil and criminal sanctions.

Since November 22, Fair Trading has handled 417 complaints about solar companies. The majority of gripes were about ''service and supply''.

A former worker in the industry contacted me this week, concerned that consumers were being taken for a ride. He said his former employer dissuaded its sales contractors from mentioning the Clean Energy Council's Solar PV Consumer Guide to prospective clients. The guide is a must-read for anyone thinking of buying a system.

The former worker, who asked not to be named, also alleged buyers were signing up for one type of panel but getting another. ''[They would] substitute another panel type without obtaining prior consent of the purchaser,'' he said.

The consumer group Choice has warned there are ''plenty of fly-by-night installers keen to get their fingers in the solar rebate scheme pie''.

It is reminiscent of the insulation scandal, which unfairly sullied the reputation of what is a very good and useful product. The problem lay with the companies who put insulation in, not with the product itself.

The issues emerging for solar appear to be focused more around the installers than the panels and parts. You have to feel sorry for the good operators.

And green energy fans have a right to feel angry that dodgy operators and yo-yoing government policy are doing untold harm to consumer confidence in the solar industry.

It is imperative that you discuss the purchase of your solar power system with reputable operators, members of the Clean Energy Council who are Master Electricians, puts a lot more credibility on those installers to seperate them from the pack of fly by nighters!  Also purchasing well known brands is a safe idea as those brands have a lot to lose if their products is being installed to sub - standards, so they will only allow certain reputable companies to offer their products.

Contact Future Sustainability today, and find out about real service, real advice and peace of mind purchasing.