MITCHELL: $9000 fine over unsafe batteries
A solar and battery system company has been fined $9000 without conviction in the Seymour Magistrates’ Court after admitting to offences related to unsafely installing home batteries at five Victorian properties between December 2023 and July 2024, including one that sparked a minor house fire.
Greenova Pty Ltd pleaded guilty on January 8 to three charges under the Electricity Safety Act 1998 for not complying with electrical installation requirements and failing to have the battery energy storage systems assessed by a licensed electrical inspector before connection.
Energy Safe Victoria became aware of the offending conduct after receiving information from the Country Fire Authority about a battery fire at a Toolamba property.
Further enquiries revealed Greenova had installed battery systems at other properties in Caveat, Doncaster, Marong and Launching Place, similarly without arranging the legally required electrical inspections.
Magistrate Allison Vaughan said the battery fire “could have had catastrophic results”, highlighting the incident as a clear example of why electrical safety laws require installations be independently checked before connection.
Energy Safe CEO Leanne Hughson (pictured) said the outcome sent a clear message about the importance of complying with mandatory battery safety requirements: “Installing battery systems safely is not optional and neither is arranging the required electrical inspections before switching them on,” Ms Hughson said.