The Essential Services Commission has banned solar panel and energy upgrades provider Ecosaver Australia from the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program for a swathe of misconduct. This includes allegedly providing falsified photo evidence for its energy efficiency projects and breaching consumer protections.
The program works by allowing consumers to access heating and cooling and hot water system discounts for upgrading to a more energy efficient product or system. Accredited businesses provide the upgrade, which entitles them to create Victorian energy efficiency certificates, which they can then sell. As of March 2026, each certificate is valued at $83.70 each. Each product gives certificates equivalent to every one tonne of avoided carbon emissions. A heat pump hot water system can typically yield $700 to $1000 depending on the system installed and the certificate’s current value.
A 50 EV kw system solar system would generate 65 certificates in postcode 3000 according to Ecovantage’s calculator.
The business was suspended in March after the commission refused the registration of over 48,500 certificates valued at around $4 million. At the time, the commission said it would refuse to accept registration of certificates and would review whether it would cancel its registration.
The commission alleges a series of misconducts by the business.
This includes making false claims about upgrades to claim more certificates; submitting photos of the same decommissioned lighting as evidence of multiple upgrades; claiming upgrades that didn’t comply with VEU and industry rules; and engaging in banned sales and marketing activities such as door-knocking and telemarketing, the commission said in a media statement.
Commission chairperson Gerard Brody said, “Our investigation uncovered what we allege to be deliberate, egregious breaches of program rules. We don’t tolerate that behaviour, so Ecosaver has been banned from the program.
“We’re conducting more inspections than ever before and using our enforcement powers to stamp out unacceptable behaviour, to protect program integrity and put consumers first.”
“Our strong approach to compliance and enforcement is important to provide a level-playing field for businesses that do the right thing and to give consumers confidence in the VEU program.”
The commission said it will continue to investigate Ecosaver and may pursue further action.
The Fifth Estate was unable to make contact with the company to request comments.
A search of the business’s website reveals just a home page, which claims to be a “high quality and efficient solar panel” provider for “commercial businesses across NSW”. Its LinkedIn page claims to “helped thousands of businesses in Victoria reduce their carbon footprint and power bills…under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.”
This marks the fourth business to be banned by the commission from the VEU program in 2026.
Earlier in the year, alongside Ecosaver, the commission also cancelled the VEU accreditation of Shantey Pty Ltd, which owned the business Energy Efficient Upgrades.
The commission said the business had also staged photos falsely claiming upgrades, including bringing water heater units to premises with no existing water heaters as false evidence of decommissioning. It also engaged in illegal door knocking, telemarketing and high-pressure sales tactics, and failed to obtain copayment from consumers for multiple upgrades and paid some consumers in cash to use as co-payment or refunding the co-payment.
The commission has also refused registration and ordered the surrender of 2586 certificates, valued at more than $200,000, and is considering taking further action. The business applied for a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) review of the decision to cancel its accreditation, but the tribunal has granted a temporary stay of its decisions, are now awaiting the outcome of the final VCAT hearing.
