Solar Installation Firm Called Out For Alleged “Dubious Practices”

In the Northern Territory, Consumer Affairs and NT WorkSafe have urged Territorians to ignore promotional material from Sunboost Energy Pty Ltd after reports of alleged dodgy behaviour from across the border.

The two agencies state they’ve been made aware of Sunboost Energy Pty Ltd’s “dubious practices” across Western Australia involving high-pressure door-to-door sales of solar systems. They say WA’s Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has referred the company to WA Consumer Protection for further investigation.

A search of WA Consumer Protection’s site for concerns about the firm didn’t reveal any results at the time of writing, nor was there anything on NT WorkSafe or Consumer Affairs’ websites. However, the information has come from this announcement, which was linked to from the NT Government’s media release website yesterday, titled “The sun’s out, cons are out”.

Consumer Affairs and NT WorkSafe state Sunboost Energy Pty Ltd appears to be targeting Indigenous communities and pressuring people to buy solar through financing arrangements.

“Vulnerable and elderly people have also been targeted by signing and entering into contractual arrangements for solar and financing,” says the release. “In some cases, the installations provided by Sunboost Energy Pty Ltd have malfunctioned or failed to work at all.”

The allegations include:

• not giving consumers the required 10 day cooling off period
• taking deposits and making purchasers sign unlawful contracts.

Consumer Affairs and NT WorkSafe notes Sunboost Energy Pty Ltd also trades under names including Energenic Solar, Energetic Engineering, National Solar Energy Group Pty Ltd and Sunboost. National Solar Energy Group Pty Ltd promotes itself as Australia’s largest integrated solar company (based on volume installed in Sept 19 – Aug 20).

The agencies are aware of promotional material circulating in Darwin and are urging Territorians who have communicated with Sunboost Energy Pty Ltd in relation to the purchase of a solar power system to contact either:

• NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319 or [email protected], or
• NT Worksafe on 1800 019 115 or [email protected].

Door-To-Door Solar Sales Problematic

Generally speaking, the practice of selling home solar door-to-door has a poor reputation in Australia. Too often, systems have been overpriced, of low quality, shoddily installed, or not suited to the household’s needs and circumstances – and in particularly extreme cases, all four.

Victoria’s Solar Homes Program saw bad door-to-door and telemarketing sales behaviour from some players, which led to a doorknocking ban being implemented in 2021, and a telemarketing ban came into effect on May 1 this year.

Australians rolling the dice and purchasing a system from a doorknocker or telemarketer should be aware of their rights in case things go pear-shaped. These forms of unsolicited trading are covered by the Australian Consumer Law and each state or territory may have other requirements.

As for solar finance, done right it can be a useful tool for acquiring a system. Approached carefully, a good quality and properly sized solar system can save more money each month than it costs to finance, including interest – but there are pitfalls to be aware of.

For tips on how to get the right system for your needs, and at the right price, check out SolarQuotes’ Solar 101 Buyer’s Guide.