Rahul Somvanshi
If you paid Solar Power Nation for a solar installation and nothing has been arranged, here is what you need to know. Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator has permanently suspended the company from the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). The regulator announced the decision on 11 November 2026.
The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) suspended 1 Solar Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Solar Power Nation, as a registered person under the SRES. The CER is no longer satisfied that the company meets the fit and proper person requirements. This means 1 Solar Australia cannot operate as a registered agent or create small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Chair Tony Chappel said: “We have a zero-tolerance approach for any poor business practice that can create an adverse outcome for the customer.” The company has 60 days to request a review. Consumer and Business Services SA issued a Public Warning Notice on 23 July 2026 covering 94 consumer complaints from July 2025 to April 2026. Of those, 41 allegedly paid deposits for installations not arranged in reasonable time or at all. Another 26 allegedly had systems installed that did not work as intended or stopped working.
Other regulatory steps came first. The New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) compliance activity page lists an entry for 1 Solar Australia with a 15 December 2025 date. The NETCC page lists major breaches. They include failing to issue a compliant contract and failing to install a system that meets Australian Standards and good industry practice. They also include failing to cooperate with the Code Administrator on requested remedial actions. One breach — failing to obtain documented consent for a variation to the system design — was listed as Minor. The CER confirms the company was expelled as an approved seller under the NETCC. CBS SA Assistant Commissioner Ben Broyd issued a Public Warning Notice on 23 July 2026. It was issued under s48 of the Fair Trading Act 1987 (SA) and s223 of the Australian Consumer Law (SA). The CER’s permanent suspension followed less than four months later. The CER frames its action as protecting “the integrity of the SRES.” The scheme began over a decade ago.
What to do if you paid Solar Power Nation
If you paid a deposit and no installation was arranged, you can report it to CBS SA. Section 158 of the Australian Consumer Law (SA) makes it an offence to accept payment and fail to supply goods or services in reasonable time. CBS SA was confirmed to be investigating the company as of the July 2026 Public Warning Notice. The CBS SA number is 131 882. If your system is installed but not working, CBS SA also recorded complaints of that kind. For installed systems, contact the CER to confirm whether your certificates were created before 11 November 2026. Do not assume your certificate status. Confirm it directly.
The company’s own account, in the CBS SA Public Warning Notice, links the complaint wave to a demand surge. The company said a demand surge followed the reduction of state and commonwealth rebates on 30 April 2026. The CBS SA notice records 41 of the complaints as deposits paid with no installation arranged in a reasonable time or at all. These are allegations, and the demand explanation is the company’s own account.
What happens to my solar rebate if my installer is suspended from the SRES?
The suspension means 1 Solar Australia can no longer create new small-scale technology certificates (STCs). If your system is fully installed and your certificates were already created, contact the CER to confirm their status. The suspension was announced on 11 November 2026.
Is Solar Power Nation still operating under the rebate scheme?
1 Solar Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Solar Power Nation, has been permanently suspended as a registered person under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. It can no longer act as a registered agent or create STCs. The company has 60 days to request a review of the CER’s decision.
How do I report a problem with Solar Power Nation to authorities?
Contact Consumer and Business Services SA on 131 882, or report to the Clean Energy Regulator. The 94 complaints cited in CBS SA’s Public Warning Notice span July 2025 to April 2026.
1 Solar Australia has been permanently suspended from the SRES and has 60 days to request a review. CBS SA’s investigation was active as of its July 2026 notice. If you are affected, contact CBS SA on 131 882 or the CER.
