Energy · Solar rebate suspensionSolar Power Nation ban: Federal certificate access permanently suspendedWritten November 11, 2026 at 4:30 AM UTCWatchTranscript0:00Solar Power Nation ban, federal certificate access permanently suspended.0:06Australia's energy regulator has permanently barred Solar Power Nation from creating0:10federal solar and battery certificates.0:12Those certificates help households pay for installations.0:15Customers have complained about deposits paid, unfinished work, and faulty0:19equipment, and the suspension leaves those disputes unresolved.0:22What happens now to households waiting for their systems, their money, or their0:26certificate, funded discount?0:28Solar Power Nation sells rooftop solar and battery systems in five states.0:32Its marketing has featured former Australian cricket captain Michael Clark and0:36Olympians Kyle Chalmers and Sally Pearson.0:38Alongside current rugby league and Australian rules football players, the suspended0:42company is One Solar Australia, which trades as Solar Power Nation.0:46Both names refer to the same business covered by this decision.0:49The Clean Energy Regulator announced the permanent suspension on November11,2026.0:54It removes the company's registration under the small-scale renewable energy scheme.0:58South Australia's Consumer Affairs Commissioner said consumer and business services1:01received ninety-four complaints between July2025 and April2026 .1:06Customers described paying deposits and waiting beyond a reasonable time for1:09installations.1:10Others complained that products didn't work properly or might be unsafe.1:14Customers also described struggling to get answers about installation dates,1:17refunds, warranties, and defective products.1:20These are customer allegations.1:22They concern money already handed over and equipment bought to reduce electricity1:25bills.1:26A household waiting for an installation still needs the work completed, and a faulty1:29system still needs attention.1:31Federal and state authorities were already investigating the retailer by August.1:34Hundreds of customer complaints had accumulated since20204 .1:38South Australia's Consumer Agency had publicly announced its warning by August4,1:42describing alleged faulty installations and failures to install products after1:45taking deposits.1:46Solar Power Nation blamed a surge in customer demand when the state agency raised1:50the complaints.1:51The company said that demand followed cuts to state and federal rebates.1:54In August, it also said it took customer concerns seriously and that most customers1:58were satisfied.1:59That was the company's explanation for the problems customers described.2:03The regulator says it was no longer satisfied the company met its fit and proper2:08person requirements.2:10It cited removal from the new Energy Tech Consumer Code after six breaches, ranging2:14from contract concerns to safety and installation standards.2:17It also cited South Australia's public warning.2:20The new Energy Tech Consumer Code is a voluntary industry-run consumer protection2:24scheme.2:25Losing access to the federal certificate scheme adds a separate regulatory2:28consequence.2:29Solar Power Nation can no longer act as a registered agent for households under that2:33scheme, cutting off a mechanism used to make eligible installations more affordable.2:37Small-scale technology certificates underpin the federal incentive for eligible2:41solar and battery installations.2:43Most system owners use a registered agent because creating and selling certificates2:47can be complicated.2:48Agents handle certificate creation while commercial agreements set certificate2:52prices and payment terms.2:54The decision concerns the company's participation in that scheme.2:57Households with existing installations still need their eligibility and claim status3:01assessed under the applicable rules.3:02Whether an unpaid benefit or a quoted discount will be honored also depends on the3:06customer's commercial arrangements.3:08Switching to another agent requires more than knowing other agents exist.3:11Across Australia, six hundred zero households have used the cheaper home batteries3:16program since its July20205 launch.3:18That's national uptake.3:20The program's incentive is described as covering about thirty percent of total cost,3:24with the benefit for an individual installation depending on its circumstances.3:28Battery installations have reached record levels alongside increased complaints to3:31authorities and disputes in courts and tribunals.3:34Publicly supported sales are expanding while customers seek help over delays and3:37performance.3:38The regulator says it shares intelligence with consumer protection agencies,3:42industry bodies, and other regulators to identify problems across the solar and3:45battery industry.3:46Regulator Chair Tony Chappell says companies that operate unprofessionally face3:50action to protect the federal scheme.3:52He says the regulator has a zero tolerance approach to poor business practices that3:56can harm customers.3:57This suspension turns the earlier scrutiny into an actual restriction on4:01participation.4:02Solar Power Nation has sixty days to request a review.4:05An exact calendar deadline depends on when it received the decision.4:08For customers, the suspension hasn't settled unfinished installations, faults, or4:13outstanding refunds.4:14Moving an existing certificate arrangement to another agent still needs case,4:18specific guidance, and a household's payment or remedy depends on its own claim and4:22commercial arrangements.Read the articleStory timelineHeyDex
