A South Australian electrician has been convicted and fined for falsely claiming to have installed or supervised a total of 62 rooftop solar systems as part of the national rebate scheme.
The Clean Energy Regulator says the man, Liam Sheppard, was last month convicted and fined $3,500 for providing false or misleading documents in the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
The charges, based on an investigation led by the regulator, included submitting false or misleading small-scale technology certificate (STC) assignment forms, along with certificates of electrical safety, to renewable energy certificate agents. The agents then relied on this information to improperly create STCs.
The regulator says that while the fine issued to Sheppard was reduced, due to his “personal circumstances,” he is likely to have incurred legal costs and suffered damage to his professional reputation and future career prospects.
“Additionally, it may lead to loss of licenses, exclusion from industry associations, restrictions on international travel and diminished trust from clients,” the CER said on Tuesday.
“Registered agents, installers and designers have significant compliance obligations under the SRES. We will continue to monitor and enforce those obligations to ensure integrity in the scheme.
“We have zero tolerance for fraud. Those who do not comply with their obligations will see enforcement action taken against them where … warranted.”
Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.
