Space Solar banned from Andrews Government’s $1.3 billion rebate scheme

A solar installer has been banned from the state government’s $1.3 billion rebate scheme after widespread safety defects were exposed. Now hundreds of Victorian households are in need of costly safety checks.

A leading solar installer has been dumped from the Andrews Government’s signature $1.3 billion rebate scheme, leaving hundreds of households needing costly safety checks.

Space Solar has been banned from selling and installing solar panels through the state’s “Solar Homes” program for two years, after widespread safety defects were ­exposed and unlicensed electricians were used.

The Herald Sun can reveal inspectors audited 26 systems installed by the company. Two were found to be unsafe and another 13 needed fixing.

The high rate of problems — including an apprentice working unsupervised on a roof — prompted the government to step in, suspending the firm from the scheme until 2021.

Solar Homes Minister Lily D’Ambrosio inspects a solar panel at an aged care facility. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

Solar Victoria, in charge of the ­rebate program, has written to 546 Melbourne customers who had systems installed by Space Solar, urging them to bring in an independent electrical safety inspector. This could cost them up to $200.

Affected households will have to contact the consumer watchdog to try to reclaim that money, but the government expects Space Solar will cover the cost of any required repairs.

Solar Homes Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said last night: “Dodgy solar operators that put the safety of Victorians at risk have no place in the Solar Homes program, and we won’t hesitate to kick them out. This kind of ­behaviour is totally unacceptable.”

The revelations are the latest blow to the scheme, after the government was forced to increase a monthly ­rebate cap which meant work dried up for smaller installers, causing job losses and serious financial difficulties.

Authorities have audited about 1500 solar installations.

It is understood the two unsafe installations by Space Solar involved an isolator that was water-damaged and fitted incorrectly, and defective and loose wiring. Both posed fire risks.

Other problems which have already been fixed include mismatched connectors and insufficient earthing of solar systems.

WorkSafe has been involved in a multi-agency investigation, and has identified workplace safety issues with the company.

Space Solar has not been operating for the past month after it was issued with a show-cause notice to inform it of the two-year suspension, which kicked in on Tuesday.

The sole director of Community Energy Group — Space Solar’s parent firm — had their electrical registration cancelled by Energy Safe Victoria.

The Space Solar website touts the company’s offerings.

Images from the Space Solar website.

Ms D’Ambrosio said: “Customers deserve to know their solar installations are completed to the highest standards, and that’s why we have such a strict audit regime. The majority of solar retailers and installers do the right thing — we’re acting to protect their reputation and uphold the standards of our world-leading industry.”

Solar Victoria and Energy Safe Victoria have been auditing 5 per cent of solar installations carried out via the popular $1.3 billion rebate scheme, a signature commitment from Premier Daniel Andrews before last year’s state election.

About 35,000 Victorian homes have had solar power fitted under the scheme.

More than 1500 audits have been finished, with inspectors particularly focused on bigger installers including Space Solar.

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The government said the defects identified showed a “wilful disregard for Victoria’s strict solar safety standards” and all had now been fixed.

Households which have previously used Space Solar are urged to contact Consumer Affairs if they have any concerns.

The firm’s website says it has “10 years of proven experience” in Melbourne and Sydney and has “successfully installed thousands of solar systems”. It pledges installations “to the highest of professional standards”.

A list of independent electrical safety inspectors is available at esv.vic.gov.au.

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