When investing in a renewable energy system for your property, a wave of concerns and questions naturally flood your mind. Can you trust the company you’re dealing with?
Will they deliver what they promise? And will they stand the test of time?
Navigating these uncertainties can be challenging, but through diligent research, you can make an informed decision. In the solar industry, there’s a prevalent issue known as ‘phoenix-ing.’
This dubious practice involves companies starting up, and selling seemingly affordable systems (sometimes under $4,000 for a 6.6 kW installation), often utilising subpar components.
However, when customers begin to report issues or claim manufacturer warranties, these companies often disappear overnight, leaving clients in the lurch, only to resurface under a new name.
Regrettably, there’s a substantial number of solar companies that have gone into liquidation or wound up operations.
According to a report by ABC News, nearly 700 solar companies have closed down since 2011, leaving approximately 650,000 Australians without recourse in case their systems encounter issues.
It becomes even more intriguing when you realise how some companies have resorted to adding an extra word or letter to their name to evade accountability.
It’s disheartening that such practices still exist in today’s world. One can’t help but wonder how these company directors sleep at night, knowing they’re not doing the right thing.
What Happens if Your Solar Company Goes Out of Business?
In the unfortunate event that your solar provider goes out of business, it might seem like you’re left without support, particularly if you’re facing issues or have warranty claims pending.
However, it’s crucial to remember that the warranties for solar panels, inverters, and batteries are typically issued by their manufacturers, not the retailers. This means these warranties remain in effect and can be a lifeline.
So manufacturing defects or performance issues can be addressed directly by the manufacturers. It’s advisable to have all your purchase documentation and warranty information at hand.
Should you need maintenance or encounter service issues, reaching out to other reputable solar service providers is a practical step. Many are willing to assist with systems they didn’t initially install, albeit likely at a cost.
For those who financed their solar systems through credit cards or specific finance options, there might be extra layers of protection or recourse available.
Additionally, checking with your home insurance might reveal coverage you weren’t aware of.
Read also: Types of Renewable Energy
Solar Companies That Have Gone Out of Business
We’ve compiled a list of solar companies that have gone out of business. This list represents just the tip of the iceberg.
Many bankrupt solar companies cleverly register themselves under names that don’t include ‘solar’ or ‘renewable energy,’ making it difficult to track them when they decide to close shop.
If you’ve already invested in a renewable energy system, it’s crucial to review our list. We sincerely hope that your installer isn’t among the companies listed.
To verify, click on the company name – you’ll be directed to The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
For your reference, here is a list of solar companies that have gone into liquidation:
A
A Grade Solar Solutions Pty Ltd
A1 Solars R Us (Oetec Pty Ltd.)
Abengoa Solar Power Australia Pty Ltd.
ACT Hybrid Solar (NegoC8 Traders Pty Ltd)
Advanced Solar & Electrical Pty Ltd
AEG Solar (ACN 121 331 440 Pty Ltd)
Aussie Batteries Solar 12 Volt Pty Ltd
Aussie Off Grid Solar Energy Pty Ltd.
Aussie Solar Installations Pty Ltd
Australian Zeversolar New Energy Pty Ltd.
Australian Solar Buying Group Pty Ltd.
Australian Solar Electrics Pty Ltd
Australian Solar Installs Pty Ltd
Australian Solar Management Pty Ltd
Australian Solar Quotes Pty Ltd. (Aruncas Group Pty Ltd)
B
Bi-Rite Solar & Electrical Pty Ltd
Biosolar Australia Pty Limited
Budget Solar System (Budget Telecom Pty Ltd.)
Bullseye Solar (Bullseye Industries Pty Ltd)
C
Carbon Footie Solar (CF Operations Pty Ltd)
City Point Electrical Solar & Communications Services Pty Ltd.
CLC Solar & Electrical Pty Ltd
Coastal Solar & Electrical Pty Ltd
Coastal Solar Solutions Pty Ltd
D
Diamond Cell Solar (Diamond Cell Pty Ltd)
Down South Solar Power (Prana Logic Pty Ltd.)
Dynamic Electrical & Solar Pty Ltd
E
E Connect Solar & Electrical Pty Ltd
Ekonmix Solar Solutions (Peak Output Installation Pty Ltd.)
Electrical and Solar Energy Solutions Pty. Ltd.
Elite Solar & Electrical Services Pty Ltd
Empowered Solar Solutions Pty Ltd
Ever On Solar And Batteries Pty Ltd
Evolution Solar – Carbon Reducer (Organics4Health Pty Ltd.)
F
First Global Energy Australia Pty Ltd.
Flashpoint Electrical & Solar Installations Pty Ltd
G
Go For Solar Pty Ltd Formerly T/A THE SOLAR IMPORTER
Goenergy Installations Pty Limited
Great Solar Solutions Pty Ltd. (A.C.N. 149 974 701 PTY LTD)
Great Southern Solar (Redgum Inlet Pty Ltd)
Greatcell Solar Australia Pty Ltd
Green Solar Australia Pty Limited
Green Spark Electrical & Solar Pty Ltd.
Gryphon Solar and Renewable Group Pty Ltd.
H
Hareon Solar Australia Pty Ltd.
Horizon Solar Technologies Pty Ltd
I
Inspire Solar (Greenhouse Express Pty Ltd)
International Solar Solutions Pty Ltd
J
JP Solar Installations Pty Ltd
K
KL Solar & Electrical Services Pty Ltd
L
M
Matrix Solar Warehouse Pty Ltd
Maya Solar (Me and You (Aus) Pty Ltd)
Melbourne Solar Company Pty Ltd
Metalcraft Solar & Insulation Pty Ltd
Metro Solar Pty Ltd (ACN 152 176 755 Pty Ltd)
More Solar Energy Pty Ltd (ACN 164 285 269 Pty Ltd)
MPower Solar (Omni 360 Pty Ltd.)
N
National Solar Experts (Kleibo Group Pty Ltd.)
National Solar Installations Pty Ltd
National Solar Network Pty Ltd
New Solar Technologies Pty Ltd
Nites Solar (Nites (WA) Pty Ltd)
No Deposit Solar (Qualified Quotes Pty Ltd.)
Now Solar Pty Ltd. (MLEC Pacific Pty Ltd)
O
Orca Installations & Solar Solutions Pty Ltd
P
Pacific Heating and Solar Pty Ltd
Personalised Power Solutions Pty Ltd
PH Electrical & Solar Installs Pty Limited
Pivotal Solar Solutions (SGB Trading Pty Ltd.)
Platinum Solar Australia Pty Ltd.
Precision Solar and Battery (Precision Marketing Group Pty Ltd)
Premier Solar (Queensland) Pty Ltd
Premier Solar Australia Pty Ltd
Premier Solar Project Pty Ltd.
Pro-Ro Electrics & Solar Pty Ltd
Professional Solar Installers Pty Ltd.
ProSun Solar (MS Corporation Pty Ltd)
Protech Solar (McInerney Enterprises Pty Ltd.)
Q
Queensland Solar and Storage Pty Ltd
R
R&L Solar Construction Pty Ltd
R&L Solar Solutions (Australasia) Pty Ltd
Ravi & Sharan (QLD) Solar (Ravsha Pty Ltd.)
Rise Solar Pty Limited (Going Wholesale Pty Limited)
S
S.X Solar Express Australia Pty Ltd
SA Solar & Electrical (MJ Tonkin Pty Ltd)
Secure Intelligence Solar Pty Ltd
Simply Solar & Storage Pty Limited
Solar and Storage Australia Pty Ltd
Solar Batteries & Pumps Pty Ltd
Solar City (East-Mar Pty. Ltd.)
Solar City Enterprises Pty Ltd
Solar City Freeholds Pty. Ltd.
Solar Corporation of Australia Pty Ltd
Solar Energy Store (Bulk Imports & Exports Pty Ltd.)
Solar Financial Advisory Pty Ltd
Solar First (Firstaction Group Pty Ltd)
Solar Freedom Australia Pty Ltd. (OPM Import Pty Ltd.)
Solar Guys Distribution Pty Ltd
Solar Heart (AA Sales and Marketing Pty Ltd.)
Solar Inception Pty Ltd (ACN 126 245 949 Pty Ltd)
Solar Megamart Pty Ltd. (Illumilite Pty Ltd.)
Solar Monitoring Australia Pty Ltd
Solar Power Tasmania (Archlec Pty Ltd)
Solar Power Wide Bay Burnett Pty Ltd
Solar PV Commercial Pty Ltd (A.C.N. 154 435 140 Pty Ltd )
Solar Run Windsor (Nuwe Lewe Pty Ltd.)
Solar Security Holdings Pty Ltd
Solar Service Victoria Pty Ltd.
Solar Springs Health Retreat Pty. Limited
Solar Storage Australia Pty Ltd
Solar Sunwerx & Everything Solar (SSW Group Holding Pty Ltd.)
Solar Supplies & Logistics Pty Ltd
Solarwatt Technology Australia Pty Ltd.
Solco Solar Products Pty Limited
Southside Electrical Air and Solar (Naylor Electrical Contracting Pty. Ltd.)
Star 8 Solar Green Commercial Pty. Ltd.
State Solar Power (Enigin NSW Pty Limited)
Sun Air Solar (Guiliana Enterprises Pty Ltd)
Sun Solar System (P & N NSW Pty Ltd)
Sunrise Solar Installers Pty Ltd
Suntek Solar (Rimours Pty Ltd.)
Suntrak Solar Air Conditioning & Electrical Pty Ltd
Suntree Solar & Electrical Pty Ltd
Superior Energy Solutions & Superior Solar Solutions (Australia) (Deljo Investments Pty Ltd.)
T
The Solar Installers (Sunshine State Group Pty Ltd.)
The Solar Power Group Pty Ltd.
The Solar Service Company Pty Ltd.
True Value Solar – Cairns (Besmart Pty Ltd)
U
V
VIC Solar Technologies Pty Ltd.
Voltlogic Solar Pty Ltd (Formerly trading as RESA Intellectual Property Pty Ltd)
W
Wardell Plumbing & Solar Pty Ltd
Wise Choice Electrical & Solar Pty Ltd.
X
Y
Your Choice Solar (V Marketing Australia Pty Ltd)
Z
Reviewed by
Tom Ransome
Co-Founder of Renewables4U and renewable energy advocate. He has experience and extensive knowledge in the field, including a groundbreaking academic thesis and a significant role in Australia's solar industry since 2016. With a BA in Business Studies, focusing on finance and management, Tom merges business acumen with technical expertise to deliver economically and eco-friendly projects.
