Solar company backed by sport stars banned from trading

Résumé détaillé

A firm calling itself Australia's number one solar company has been permanently suspended by the Clean Energy Regulator for not being 'fit and proper'.

A solar company counting gold medallists and a Test cricket captain among high-profile spruikers has been banned from selling systems across Australia.

The Clean Energy Regulator announced on Wednesday it is permanently suspending Sydney-based 1 Solar Australia Pty Ltd - which trades as Solar Power Nation - from the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

The regulator said it wasn't satisfied the company was "fit and proper" under scheme requirements.

Those requirements include having the necessary skills, capability, competency, good business practices, integrity and good character, the regulator said in a statement.

Solar Power Nation brands itself on its website as "The #1 home solar and battery company in Australia" and has video testimonials from a number of high-profile sportspeople as ambassadors.

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke is a brand ambassador, while Olympic gold medallists Sally Pearson and Kyle Chalmers also feature prominently on the company website.

Solar Power Nation was contacted for comment. It has 60 days to request a review of the suspension.

The regulator said it worked closely with multiple agencies to protect the integrity of the scheme, which is backed by the government to boost investment in systems such as rooftop solar and battery storage.

"If we see companies that are not operating professionally, we will not hesitate to take action to protect the integrity of the (scheme)," regulator chair Tony Chappel said.

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