South Australia’s consumer watchdog has ramped up its work in cracking down on dodgy solar companies, following the introduction of a Building Industry Response Team within Consumer and Business Services (CBS).

There has been an unprecedented spike in consumer complaints about solar panel and battery installation over the past year.

Last financial year, CBS fielded nearly 130 complaints relating to the sector - more than double the previous financial year and nearly triple that of the year before.

As a result, CBS has recently fined four businesses, warned consumers against doing business with a fifth and is launching a crackdown on the sector to stamp out dodgy practices through its new team.

Earlier this year, the state government created a dedicated Building Industry Response Team to better support South Australians who encounter difficulties while undertaking building work and crack down on dodgy operators.

The new team came into existence to coincide with the introduction of much tougher penalties targeting unlicensed and dishonest tradespeople with fines of up to $20,000 for carrying out building work without required building indemnity insurance (BII)

Fines of $5,000 for working unlicensed (or outside licence conditions), or advertising for work you are not licensed to perform, also apply under the reforms.

Over the past month, four businesses received expiations of just over $5,000 each, with three unlicensed operators allegedly purporting to be licensed, and a fourth alleged to have been carrying on business using an unregistered business name.

Investigations are continuing into more serious allegations raised against some installers.

CBS has also issued a public warning against Sydney-based business 1 Solar Australia, trading as Solar Power Nation, while it investigates complaints of poor and faulty installations and a failure to install products after securing deposits.

A social media campaign is also being launched to raise awareness of consumer rights when choosing a solar provider, and the steps they can take to better protect both themselves and their investment.

Details of the public warning against Solar Power Nation is available online, while information for consumers about their rights when engaging a solar provider can be found at www.cbs.sa.gov.au/solar.

Consumers can also seek advice or report an issue with their provider by visiting Disputes with a builder or tradesperson on SA.GOV.AU.