Melbourne headquartered solar installer Greenova Pty Ltd has been fined $9,000 after pleading guilty to not complying with electrical installation requirements in the installation of home batteries at five Victorian properties.
Energy Safe Victoria, the state’s energy regulator, said on Monday that Greenova had been fined without conviction in the Seymour Magistrates’ Court after admitting to offences relating to the unsafe installation of home batteries at five Victorian properties between December 2023 and July 2024.
One of the batteries sparked a minor house fire.
Greenova plead guilty to three charges under the Electricity Safety Act 1998 for not complying with electrical installation requirements as well as failing to have the home batteries assessed by a licensed electrical inspector before connection.
The battery fire “could have had catastrophic results,” said the magistrate, who also highlighted the incident as an example of why Victoria’s electrical safety laws require installations to be independently tested before connection.
An early guilty plea and cooperation with Energy Safe Victoria saw the fine reduced from $15,000 to $9,000.
The issues were brought to the attention of Energy Safe Victoria after receiving information from the Country Fire Authority regarding a battery fire at a Toolamba property.
A subsequent Energy Safe investigation concluded that incorrect installation exposed the battery to an “increased and uncontrolled” voltage which in turn caused it to overcharge and ignite. Thankfully, the fire only destroyed the battery system itself and damaged the house exterior.
Further investigation determined that Greenova had installed battery systems at other properties in Caveat, Doncaster, Marong, and Launching Place, all without arranging the legally required electrical inspections.
“Installing battery systems safely is not optional and neither is arranging the required electrical inspections before switching them on,” said Leanne Hughson, CEO of Energy Safe Victoria.
“These laws are in place to prevent fires and protect Victorian households, and failing to follow them can have serious consequences.”
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