Gold Coast solar company Keen 2B Green collapses with seven-figure debts

An award-winning Queensland solar company has collapsed with seven figures owing in debts, just days after its director registered a new business.

Customers say they have learnt about the company’s demise after being contacted to pay 50 per cent deposits. File picture

A multiple-award-winning Queensland solar company has collapsed with seven figures owing in debts, just days after its director registered a new business.

Burleigh Heads-based solar company Keen 2B Green Pty Ltd was wound up on November 27 with Jason Bettles of Worrells Gold Coast appointed as liquidator.

The company is directed by Daniel Marc Shelfer of Carrara with Belinda Denise Shelfer listed as its only other shareholder, Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents show.

The pair are also listed as director and shareholder of another company – K2BG Solar and Storage Pty Ltd, registered on November 20.

Both companies have the same registered place of business address.

Documents lodged with ASIC shows Keen 2B Green Pty Ltd owes priority debts of $490,604 in employee entitlements and $186,158 to secured creditors. It also lists more than $3.5m in nonpriority payments owed in taxation debts and trade creditors. In total, it lists more than 70 creditors.

Several customers claimed to have been left in the lurch just days after paying 50 per cent deposits.

One Brisbane customer said they forked out thousands for a deposit only to find out the company had been wound up just days later.

“I initially paid a $1000 deposit and after the sales rep came and we agreed on a contract and date they asked me to put in another deposit of 50 per cent,” the customer, who asked to remain anonymous, said.

The customer made further unsuccessful attempts to contact the company before finding out it had folded.

“I was gutted, ripped off,” they said. “(But) there is nothing I can do.”

Another disgruntled customer slammed Keen 2B Green solar, according to a post on anonymous social media platform Reddit.

“Paid 50 per cent deposit to them and 14 days later they went into receivership,” it read.

“Now we get to stand in line behind all the secured creditors and quietly hope the unsecured creditors like us can get at least something back. Won’t know until February.”

The signed report showed the company has about $68,000 in assets including $1500 in cash and $50,000 in motor vehicles, which are subject to finance.

Property records show Mrs Shelfer (nee Cousins) lives in a four-bedroom waterfront home in Carrara – the same registered address on the ASIC report.

Keen 2B Green Pty Ltd won multiple awards including LG Electronic’s Queensland Solar Dealer of the Year.

The Courier-Mail made several attempts to contact Mr Shelfer but was unsuccessful.