Solar Victoria takes action on unsafe solar installer

Solar Victoria has the highest safety standards in the country when it comes to solar installations – including a strict audit program to monitor installations and ensure systems are installed safely and correctly.

Because of our strong focus on safety, our independent audits have found that some systems installed by Community Energy Group - trading as Space Solar (Victoria) - did not meet our required standards. As a result, this company has now been banned from the Solar Homes program– both as a retailer and an installer.

As a result of this investigation, Solar Victoria is arranging for all customers of Community Energy Group to have their systems double-checked by an independent electrical safety inspector.

For more information, you can contact Solar Victoria on enquiries@team.solar.vic.gov.au or 1300 376 393.

Customer Frequently Asked Questions on Community Energy Group

1. I had a solar system installed by Community Energy Group, trading as Space Solar. Is my solar system safe to use?

Solar Victoria maintains the highest safety standards in the country – including a strict audit program to monitor installations and ensure systems are installed safely and correctly.

Because of this strong focus on safety, we have found that some systems installed by Community Energy Group did not meet our required standards.

As a result of this investigation, we are arranging for all customers who had a system installed by Community Energy Group to have their systems independently checked to ensure it complies with requirements and is operating safely and correctly.

2. How will the independent safety inspection be organised?

Solar Victoria will fund the inspection of solar systems by an independent licenced electrical inspector. Solar Victoria will be calling all customers of Community Energy Group over the next week to organise an inspection of their system. Customers can also contact Solar Victoria to arrange a time for inspections.

3. What can I do if my system is found to be faulty by an independent inspector?

Under Australian Consumer Law, customers are entitled to have any identified defects rectified by their retailer. This includes the cost of any replacement components and labour costs incurred in replacing defects.

More information about your consumer guarantee rights under the Australian Consumer Law can be found at https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/consumerguarantees or alternatively you can contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81.

4. Will Community Energy Group be responsible for systems that need fixing?

Yes. Retailers are responsible to their customers for fixing defects and repairing any substandard products that they supply. Repairs are at no cost to the customer.

5. What action has been taken against the banned solar installer?

The individual responsible for undertaking the installations on behalf of Community Energy Group has had his electrical registration cancelled by Energy Safe Victoria.

Solar Victoria has also banned the company from participating in the Solar Homes program.