STATEWIDE: Energy companies suspended from scheme
The Essential Services Commission has cancelled the Victorian Energy Upgrades accreditation of two businesses for allegedly providing false information about their energy efficiency projects and breaching consumer protections.
The VEU program is an energy efficiency program that helps Victorians cut their energy bills by supporting households and businesses to use energy more efficiently. Accredited businesses undertake energy efficiency upgrades that entitle them to create Victorian energy efficiency certificates, which they can then sell.
Solar On Roof
The Commission alleges Add On Services Pty Ltd (Solar On Roof) and contractors working on its behalf:
• provided false information about upgrades to claim more certificates, including submitting a doctored photo as evidence of an upgrade
• engaged in banned sales and marketing activity, including unsolicited telemarketing and doorknocking
• failed to permanently decommission and remove old hot water systems during upgrades as claimed
• failed to provide documentation to consumers following upgrades
• provided false and misleading information about the VEU program on its website.
The commission has:
• cancelled Solar On Roof’s VEU accreditation
• ordered the surrender of 1228 Victorian energy efficiency certificates, valued at over $100,000.
The Commission immediately suspended Solar On Roof’s accreditation in March after an initial investigation identified concerning conduct. This put an immediate stop to the alleged non-compliance so the Commission could investigate further and consider additional action.
Re-Energi
The commission alleges Renewable Energy Pty Ltd (Re-Energi) and contractors working on its behalf:
• provided false information to support certificate claims for ineligible upgrades
• engaged in banned sales and marketing activity
• failed to collect required payments from consumers for multiple upgrades, including by reimbursing consumers for the payments made for their upgrades.
The Commission has:
• cancelled Re-Energi’s accreditation
• ordered the surrender of 279 Victorian energy efficiency certificates, valued at around $23,000.
The commission immediately suspended Re-Energi’s accreditation in March after an initial investigation identified concerning conduct. This put an immediate stop to the alleged non-compliance so the Commission could investigate further and consider additional action.