- Published:
- Monday 12 January 2026 at 12:02 pm
A solar and battery system company has been fined $9,000 without conviction in the Seymour Magistrates’ Court after admitting to offences related to unsafely installing home batteries at five Victorian properties between December 2023 and July 2024, including one that sparked a minor house fire.
On Thursday 8 January, Greenova Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to three charges under the Electricity Safety Act 1998 for not complying with electrical installation requirements and failing to have the battery energy storage systems (BESS) assessed by a licensed electrical inspector before connection.
Energy Safe Victoria became aware of the offending conduct after receiving information from the Country Fire Authority about a battery fire at a Toolamba property.
Energy Safe’s investigation determined that incorrect installation exposed the battery to an increased and uncontrolled voltage, which caused it to overcharge and ignite. The fire destroyed the BESS and damaged the house exterior.
Further enquiries revealed Greenova had installed battery systems at other properties in Caveat, Doncaster, Marong and Launching Place, similarly without arranging the legally required electrical inspections.
In sentencing, Magistrate Vaughan said the battery fire “could have had catastrophic results”, highlighting the incident as a clear example of why Victoria’s electrical safety laws require installations be independently checked before connection.
Her Honour also stated that if not for the company’s early guilty plea and cooperation with Energy Safe, she would have imposed a $15,000 fine.
Home batteries are designed to safely capture, store and release electrical energy generated by rooftop solar panels, but incorrect installation can expose households to a serious fire risk. Independent electrical inspections are required when installation work is done on all or any part of a BESS to identify defects before they’re connected and used.
Energy Safe CEO Leanne Hughson said the outcome sent a clear message about the importance of complying with mandatory battery safety requirements.
“Installing battery systems safely is not optional and neither is arranging the required electrical inspections before switching them on,” Ms Hughson said.
“These laws are in place to prevent fires and protect Victorian households, and failing to follow them can have serious consequences.”
Media contact: April Dudgeon | 0498 188 117 | media@energysafe.vic.gov.au
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