{"id":100700,"date":"2026-07-23T05:12:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T19:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=100700"},"modified":"2026-07-22T16:54:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T07:24:35","slug":"cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/","title":{"rendered":"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installs &#038; Fake Selfies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-100718\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-installer-selfie.jpg\" alt=\"A fake solar selfie\" width=\"1200\" height=\"624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-installer-selfie.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-installer-selfie-300x156.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-installer-selfie-1024x532.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fake-installer-selfie-768x399.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has suspended 21 solar companies from the small-scale solar rebate scheme, moved to ban a retailer for falsely claiming installations were complete, and issued a warning to installers over fake verification photos.<\/p>\n<h2><!--more-->Why Did The CER Suspend Solar Companies?<b><\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">All 21 companies have been permanently suspended from the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which supports Australia\u2019s solar rebate. They no longer meet the \u201cfit and proper person\u201d requirements.<\/p>\n<p>The CER stated that the &#8220;main impetus for this action is that these companies were deregistered by ASIC and are, as a result, not legal persons.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Installers, retailers, and similar businesses must always meet this legal standard to stay compliant. These requirements are ongoing &#8211; anyone registered to create Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which fund the rebate, must maintain good standing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">In short, this is simply the removal of companies that can no longer trade STCs. The enforcement update follows <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/substandard-battery-installs-trigger-inspection-blitz\/\"><span class=\"s1\">a February crackdown on poor battery installations<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s2\">These actions are detailed in the CER\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/cer.gov.au\/about-us\/our-compliance-approach\/compliance-and-enforcement-priorities\/compliance-and-enforcement-priorities-2025-26\/compliance-update-april-to-june-2026\"><span class=\"s1\">Quarterly Compliance Update for April to June 2026<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">Asun Solar Suspended for a Separate Compliance Issue<b><\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\">Asun Solar Pty Ltd was suspended for a more significant issue. The CER cancelled its registration under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.au\/C2004A00767\/2021-09-01\/text\"><span class=\"s1\">Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 <\/span><\/a>after the company failed to comply with a statutory notice. Asun Solar could not demonstrate the capability, skills, and business practices expected of a registered agent.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">Retailer Faces Ban For Incomplete Installations<b><\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">The most serious action in this update is against an unnamed solar retailer. The CER has issued a notice that could make this retailer ineligible to sign the written statements required to support STC claims.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Early findings show the retailer made false or misleading statements, claiming several solar PV systems were &#8220;complete and capable of generating electricity&#8221; when they were not. If the ban goes ahead, the retailer will not be able to support STC creation for up to three years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/cer.gov.au\/news-and-media\/news\/2025\/june\/renewable-energy-regulations-amended-to-support-solar-battery-installations-under-sres\"><span class=\"s1\">Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001<\/span><\/a>, a solar system only qualifies for the rebate if it is finished and generating power, not just installed in name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">CER Acting Chair Carl Binning says the message to the industry is clear:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\">&#8220;False statements and incomplete work will not be tolerated.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><b>AI Now Checks Battery Label Photos<\/b><b><\/b><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_100706\" style=\"width: 910px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-100706\" class=\"wp-image-100706 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Battery-compliance-labels.jpg\" alt=\"Solar battery compliance labels diagram.\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Battery-compliance-labels.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Battery-compliance-labels-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Battery-compliance-labels-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Battery-compliance-labels-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Battery-compliance-labels-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-100706\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Battery labels such as those shown above are now subject to AI checks.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">This update also confirms that the <a href=\"https:\/\/cer.gov.au\/about-us\/our-policies\/artificial-intelligence-transparency-statement\"><span class=\"s1\">AI-assisted image checker<\/span><\/a> mentioned in the CER\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/substandard-battery-installs-trigger-inspection-blitz\/\"><span class=\"s2\">February battery inspection <\/span><\/a>is now in use. It helps CER officers find missing labels and check the metadata on geotagged, timestamped label photos of battery installs that installers have been required to submit since 1 March 2026. Officers still make all compliance decisions themselves &#8211; the tool only flags cases for review.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Binning says the standard remains the same, but the ability to check it has improved:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p2\">&#8220;We&#8217;re warning installers that we will fail their applications and send them back to site if things aren&#8217;t done properly the first time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"p1\">Installers Warned About Fake Verification Selfies<b><\/b><\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_92251\" style=\"width: 1085px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-92251\" class=\"wp-image-92251 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1657772001954-e1784704737749.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of a man standing in front of electrical gear\" width=\"1075\" height=\"1397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1657772001954-e1784704737749.jpg 1075w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1657772001954-e1784704737749-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1657772001954-e1784704737749-788x1024.jpg 788w, https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1657772001954-e1784704737749-768x998.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1075px) 100vw, 1075px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-92251\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A job verification photo by SolarQuotes&#8217; in-house installer Anthony Bennett &#8211; a legitimate example of the mandatory selfie that other installers are faking.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">The CER has also sounded the alarm on <a href=\"https:\/\/cer.gov.au\/news-and-media\/news\/2026\/june\/installer-onsite-verification-photo-monitoring-place\"><span class=\"s1\">installer on-site verification (IOV) selfies<\/span><\/a> that do not actually show the accredited installer for the job. In June, installers, retailers, and agents were reminded that all evidence for STC creation must accurately show what happened on site.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">Providing false or misleading evidence can lead to compliance action against both the installer and the registered agent.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><b>How This Affects Customers<\/b><b><\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">If your installer or retailer has been suspended, you may be concerned about your rebate. Usually, this doesn\u2019t affect it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A suspension means the company cannot create new STCs. It does not remove any certificates you already have. The CER also says it will not cancel valid STCs if an agent is later re-assigned or loses registration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p4\">If you are having solar or a battery installed, ask your installer for the same labelling and verification photos that the CER now checks. Only sign off once your system is fully commissioned and generating power.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">For practical tips on how to sus out your installer&#8217;s work, read our articles on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/check-before-battery-installer-leaves\/\"><span class=\"s2\">what to look for before your solar installer leaves<\/span><\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/five-tests-you-must-do-before-your-battery-installer-leaves\/\"><span class=\"s2\">five tests to run before your battery installer departs<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has suspended 21 solar companies from the small-scale solar rebate scheme, moved to ban a retailer for falsely claiming installations were complete, and issued a warning to installers over fake verification photos.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":100703,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-100700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-solar-installation","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installers &amp; Fake Selfies<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Clean Energy Regulator has suspended 21 solar companies and seperately warned installers over fake verification photos.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installs &amp; Fake Selfies\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Clean Energy Regulator has suspended 21 solar companies and seperately warned installers over fake verification photos.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SolarQuotes Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SolarQuotes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-22T19:42:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jacob Boyd\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@solar_quotes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@solar_quotes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jacob Boyd\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a9b54e59f9680e3cd87475eee822b561\"},\"headline\":\"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installs &#038; Fake Selfies\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-22T19:42:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":737,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Solar Installation\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/\",\"name\":\"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installers & Fake Selfies\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-22T19:42:51+00:00\",\"description\":\"The Clean Energy Regulator has suspended 21 solar companies and seperately warned installers over fake verification photos.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":630,\"caption\":\"Solar inspector giving a thumbs down for a battery or solar installation.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Solar Installation\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/solar-installation\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installs &#038; Fake Selfies\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"SolarQuotes Blog\",\"description\":\"An independent reckoning of the Aussie solar scene\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"SolarQuotes\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/05\\\/solarquotes-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/05\\\/solarquotes-logo.png\",\"width\":592,\"height\":600,\"caption\":\"SolarQuotes\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/SolarQuotes\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/solar_quotes\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/solarquotes\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/au.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/solarquotes\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/SolarQuotesAustralia\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a9b54e59f9680e3cd87475eee822b561\",\"name\":\"Jacob Boyd\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/619f7d10df0d8c1b5480bc8f832bc7159ded3377dda93f3ee6577d013f66f86d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=r\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/619f7d10df0d8c1b5480bc8f832bc7159ded3377dda93f3ee6577d013f66f86d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=r\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/619f7d10df0d8c1b5480bc8f832bc7159ded3377dda93f3ee6577d013f66f86d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=r\",\"caption\":\"Jacob Boyd\"},\"description\":\"Jacob Boyd draws on years of solar industry experience to deliver clear, analytical writing that makes clean energy topics genuinely accessible. He has taught at the university level, published fiction, and directed independent films; a range of creative work that shapes how he approaches every piece. Jacob believes a great solar article does one thing above all else: it leaves readers better equipped to understand and embrace the energy sitting right above their rooftops. He earned his MFA in Writing from San Francisco State University, and believes in the power of sunshine.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.solarquotes.com.au\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/jacob\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installers & Fake Selfies","description":"The Clean Energy Regulator has suspended 21 solar companies and seperately warned installers over fake verification photos.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installs & Fake Selfies","og_description":"The Clean Energy Regulator has suspended 21 solar companies and seperately warned installers over fake verification photos.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/","og_site_name":"SolarQuotes Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SolarQuotes\/","article_published_time":"2026-07-22T19:42:51+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jacob Boyd","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@solar_quotes","twitter_site":"@solar_quotes","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/"},"author":{"name":"Jacob Boyd","@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/a9b54e59f9680e3cd87475eee822b561"},"headline":"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installs &#038; Fake Selfies","datePublished":"2026-07-22T19:42:51+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/"},"wordCount":737,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg","articleSection":["Solar Installation"],"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/","url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/","name":"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installers & Fake Selfies","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg","datePublished":"2026-07-22T19:42:51+00:00","description":"The Clean Energy Regulator has suspended 21 solar companies and seperately warned installers over fake verification photos.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"Solar inspector giving a thumbs down for a battery or solar installation."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-crackdown-dodgy-solar-fake-selfies\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Solar Installation","item":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-installation\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installs &#038; Fake Selfies"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/","name":"SolarQuotes Blog","description":"An independent reckoning of the Aussie solar scene","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#organization","name":"SolarQuotes","url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/solarquotes-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/solarquotes-logo.png","width":592,"height":600,"caption":"SolarQuotes"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SolarQuotes\/","https:\/\/x.com\/solar_quotes","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/solarquotes\/","https:\/\/au.linkedin.com\/company\/solarquotes","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/SolarQuotesAustralia"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/a9b54e59f9680e3cd87475eee822b561","name":"Jacob Boyd","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/619f7d10df0d8c1b5480bc8f832bc7159ded3377dda93f3ee6577d013f66f86d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=r","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/619f7d10df0d8c1b5480bc8f832bc7159ded3377dda93f3ee6577d013f66f86d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=r","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/619f7d10df0d8c1b5480bc8f832bc7159ded3377dda93f3ee6577d013f66f86d?s=96&d=monsterid&r=r","caption":"Jacob Boyd"},"description":"Jacob Boyd draws on years of solar industry experience to deliver clear, analytical writing that makes clean energy topics genuinely accessible. He has taught at the university level, published fiction, and directed independent films; a range of creative work that shapes how he approaches every piece. Jacob believes a great solar article does one thing above all else: it leaves readers better equipped to understand and embrace the energy sitting right above their rooftops. He earned his MFA in Writing from San Francisco State University, and believes in the power of sunshine.","url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/author\/jacob\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/21-Solar-Companies-Suspended-as-CER-Targets-Incomplete-Installations.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2FF2s-qcc","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":34289,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-solar-installers-mb1259\/","url_meta":{"origin":100700,"position":0},"title":"Clean Energy Regulator Targeting Misuse Of Solar Installer Information","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"October 21, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Australia's Clean Energy Regulator announced last week that it and the Clean Energy Council are targeting the misuse of accredited solar installer details. The two bodies will be increasing focus on uncovering instances where the installer noted on documentation of a solar power system installation didn't actually perform the install.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Clean Energy Regulator - compliance","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":39716,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/clean-energy-regulator-compliance-mb1519\/","url_meta":{"origin":100700,"position":1},"title":"Clean Energy Regulator Compliance Activity Update","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"May 12, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Australia's Clean Energy Regulator yesterday published an update on its compliance activities covering the period January 1 - March 31 this year. Among its functions, the Regulator oversees the\u00a0 integrity of programs under Australia\u2019s Renewable Energy Target, including the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). The SRES is the mechanism that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Clean Energy Regulator compliance activities","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40945,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/solar-installation-cer-mb1582\/","url_meta":{"origin":100700,"position":2},"title":"Solar Installer Pinged For Providing False Information","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"June 30, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Australia's Clean Energy Regulator has released details of recent compliance action against a Clean Energy Council accredited solar installer. Part of the Regulator's role is oversight of the integrity of programs operating under Australia\u2019s Renewable Energy Target, including the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). The SRES is the mechanism that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Clean Energy Regulator solar investigation","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48828,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/cer-solar-compliance-mb1932\/","url_meta":{"origin":100700,"position":3},"title":"Regulator Ramping Up Solar Installer Dodgy Details Focus","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"March 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Australia's Clean Energy Regulator published its latest compliance update last week, outlining some of its recent activities and what's ahead. The Regulator is the agency overseeing the integrity of programs operating under Australia\u2019s Renewable Energy Target, including the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) that provides Australia\u2019s \u201csolar rebate\u201d. Solar Panel\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Clean Energy Regulator - solar installation compliance","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cer-compliance-solar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cer-compliance-solar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cer-compliance-solar.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cer-compliance-solar.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/cer-compliance-solar.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57200,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/shonky-solar-regulations-mb2284\/","url_meta":{"origin":100700,"position":4},"title":"Shonky Solar Begone? New Australian Regulations Become Law","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"December 22, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"New laws governing rooftop solar will help level the playing field and provide Australians buying solar power systems better protections. In August 2020, Federal Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor requested a review of Australia\u2019s rooftop solar sector that would delve into accreditation, quality, sales and financing issues.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Rooftop solar regulations in Australia","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/solar-regulations-australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/solar-regulations-australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/solar-regulations-australia.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/solar-regulations-australia.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/solar-regulations-australia.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32664,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/clean-energy-regulator-mb1167\/","url_meta":{"origin":100700,"position":5},"title":"Clean Energy Regulator Sets Compliance and Enforcement Priorities","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"August 9, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Australia's Clean Energy Regulator has outlined its priorities for the year ahead for ensuring ongoing integrity of the programs it administers. Among its tasks, the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) oversees programs under Australia's Renewable Energy Target, including the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). The SRES is the reason why have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General Solar &amp; Storage News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General Solar &amp; Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Clean Energy Regulator","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/clean-energy-regulator.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100700"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100720,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100700\/revisions\/100720"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}