George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, in writing, on 21 June 2011:

(1) In respect of the 30 residential units at the Parkhaven Garden Retirement Village that had solar panels installed under the Solar Homes and Communities program, is he aware that    (a) in the first few months, the power bills actually increased due to an incorrect installation causing 'solar power in' to be metered as power being consumed,    (b) the solar panels were then switched off to fix the problem and sat idly on rooftops for almost six months, and    (c) after the solar panels were switched on again, inspectors found wiring faults that could lead to a house fire in the five units they inspected.

(2) Is he aware that the installation of solar panels at the Parkhaven Garden Retirement Village were installed by a company known as Sanctuary Energy, which changed its name to DCM Solar and then finally to DCM Green before it went into administration.

(3) Did his department do any checks on the ability of this company or its sub-contractors to adequately install solar panels before crediting them through the Solar Homes and Communities program.

(4) When will the solar panels on all 30 residential units at Parkhaven Garden Retirement Village be inspected.

(5) Can he say if it is the Government's intention to fix all faulty solar panels installed under the Solar Homes and Communities program at Parkhaven Garden Retirement Village, and to accept all costs incurred and all legal liability.

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