How to Choose the Right Solar Company in WA

Beware of Solar Scammers!

At Infinite Energy we pride ourselves on our no pressure, honest and consultative approach. We encourage all our clients to do their research because we have confidence in the quality of our products and our reputation as being one of Australia’s most reputable and competent solar companies.

However, not all solar companies take the same ethical approach. You may find yourself in a long, drawn-out presentation with a high-pressure salesman offering “today only” discounts.

Our advice – never sign on the day. Do your research on both the products and the solar company.

Some solar companies will use high-pressure, manipulative sales tactics to rush you into making a decision. For them, the less research you do the better, because often their products are over-priced or low quality. Sometimes both!

While these sales tactics are not illegal, if you or someone you know has signed a contract on the day of getting a quote, it’s important to know your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

The Australian Consumer Law outlines clear obligations for businesses that benefit all parties, as well as informing the consumer of their rights, in a clear and concise way. Contrary to previous years, consumers now have the same rights, all across Australia.

A consumer who has invited a solar company to give a quote for the supply and installation of a solar PV system, is not soliciting the supplier to actually sell them those goods and services. If the solar company does negotiate a sale on the day, this would be an Unsolicited Consumer Agreement subject to a 10 Day Cooling-Off Period and must comply with the requirements for unsolicited consumer agreements.

These requirements are:

• The salesperson must inform the consumer in writing of their termination rights before the agreement is made.
• The front page of the agreement must include the following text: ‘Important Notice to the Consumer’ ‘You have a right to cancel this agreement within 10 business days’. This must be the most prominent text in the document, other than the text setting out the supplier’s name or logo.
•  During the Cooling-Off period a solar company must not accept or request any form of payment or provide any goods or services priced over $500 (ACL section 86).

The termination period is extended to 6 months if the supplier has breached any of these requirements, even if the goods or services supplied have been wholly or partly consumed or used.

As a supplier, it is our responsibility to ensure that our sales people are fully aware of their legal obligations. Failure to adhere to unsolicited consumer agreement requirements could land a corporate body with maximum civil and criminal penalties of $50,000 and $10,000 for an individual.

We believe that with honorable, ethical sales practices lead to not only consumer satisfaction, but a more successful business as well.

If you or someone you know has fallen prey to one of these solar sharks, help clean up the solar industry by contacting the
ACCC (Australia Competition and Consumer Commission) or the WA Department of Commerce