{"id":6257,"date":"2023-02-22T09:36:36","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T07:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/?p=6257"},"modified":"2023-02-22T09:36:36","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T07:36:36","slug":"cgso-scam-alert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/cgso-scam-alert\/","title":{"rendered":"CGSO Scam Alert"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>For many years consumers had a modicum of protection when it came to protecting themselves from being electrocuted or maimed. Our authorities were very strident when it came to ensuring that unqualified persons did not do work on any electrical installation. Combined with that electrical goods suppliers only dealt with registered electricians at their trade counters, electricians had very close working relationships with their local municipalities and ensured that they followed the rules and safety guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>As an old participant (some may say &#8216;Ancient&#8217;!) in the electrical contracting industry I well remember the opening of Gqeberha&#8217;s very first DIY Electrical Supply shop &#8211; then (and still now) I find it very difficult to stomach someone &#8216;aiding and abetting&#8217; a private citizen to do electrical work that may invalidate their insurance and\/or place their families in danger.<\/p>\n<p>BUT, the biggest sin in my mind is the large suppliers who supply to all and sundry at the same price without ensuring that the client is at least qualified to do the work in a safe and acceptable manner and issue a CoC once it is done. After all &#8211; would you trust your brother&#8217;s friend&#8217;s girlfriend&#8217;s cousin, who is in Grade 11 to prescribe antibiotics for you?<\/p>\n<p>To assist you in your decision making <a href=\"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/\">Straton Solar<\/a> developed a <a href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/solar-installer-best-practices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Solar Installer Best Practices<\/a> checklist for you to download and use in your journey to energy freedom.<\/p>\n<p>And now it would appear that the CGSO (Consumer Goods and Services Ombud) has been lumped with the problem and has issued an alert that it has seen an uptick in the number of complaints about solar systems and generators \u2014 saying that almost 50% of suppliers are simply refusing to cooperate with the office\u2019s investigations.<\/p>\n<p>The ombud says that from 1 February 2022 to 9 February 2023, there were 202 complaints relating to solar systems and generators.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Most of these complaints relate to the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Installers are failing to issue compliance certificates to show that their products comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This includes not disclosing the criteria that need to be met for such a compliance certificate to be issued, or that an additional fee needs to be paid.<\/li>\n<li>Accepting payment and not delivering the goods or not installing the systems within the agreed timeframes.<\/li>\n<li>Poor workmanship and installation.<\/li>\n<li>Warranties not being honoured.<\/li>\n<li>Incorrect equipment bought either by or for consumers, and suppliers refusing to accept returns.<\/li>\n<li>No aftercare services.<\/li>\n<li>Misleading advertising relating to the type, size and wattage of inverters, solar panels and batteries.<\/li>\n<li>Inflated prices for panels, inverters, batteries and installation services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The ombud, Magauta Mphahlele, advises against going the DIY route with solar as most consumers lack awareness and technical knowledge about the product and installation. Incorrect installation could also nullify the manufacturer\u2019s warranties.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cConsumers are, generally speaking, not clued up on the requirements of systems or their limitations. As a result, consumers are suffering enormous financial losses by purchasing incorrect equipment and\/or appointing unqualified installers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Forty-six percent of cases have had to be terminated due to a lack of cooperation from suppliers. Mphahlele says this is of great concern because it meant that complainants did not receive any redress.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis outcome proves that there are high levels of non-compliance around the Consumer Protection Act [CPA] in this sector, and we call on suppliers and installers of solar systems and generators to ensure that their service standards meet the requirements of the CPA and other manufacturing and safety standards required in terms of other laws of this country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>So far, the ombud has resolved 134 complaints, giving consumers a total of R277,273 in refunds. It has also instructed suppliers to rectify shoddy workmanship and replace faulty inverters, solar panels, generators and batteries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For many years consumers had a modicum of protection when it came to protecting themselves from being electrocuted or maimed. Our authorities were very strident when it came to ensuring that unqualified persons did not do work on any electrical installation. Combined with that electrical goods suppliers only dealt with registered electricians at their trade [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6103,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_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_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6257","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-solar","8":"entry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Solar_Panel_Connectors.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Solar_Panel_Connectors.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Alan","author_link":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/author\/alan\/"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Solar_Panel_Connectors.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5HvVd-1CV","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":285,"url":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/12-important-steps-when-installing-solar\/","url_meta":{"origin":6257,"position":0},"title":"12 Important Steps when Installing Solar","author":"Alan","date":"26 January 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Here are some important steps to follow when installing a solar system. Use a power meter to determine the consumption for your property to accurately determine the size of the PV system. The roof should be measured and assessed to determine the space requirements. Also make sure your roof is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Solar&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Solar","link":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/category\/solar\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3758,"url":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/electrical-board-installation-photo\/","url_meta":{"origin":6257,"position":1},"title":"electrical board installation photo","author":"Alan","date":"11 September 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"electrical board installation - Solar PV This is a new distribution board being installed. Ultimately when everything is finished all the power generated from the roof will pass through this point. See more Solar PV images by h080 - 2011-04-25 16:25:40","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Images&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Images","link":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/category\/solar\/images\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/5916903812_418a2017f5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":553,"url":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/solar-heating-lens-offers-greater-solar-to-electrical-efficiency\/","url_meta":{"origin":6257,"position":2},"title":"Solar heating lens offers greater solar-to-electrical efficiency.","author":"Alan","date":"17 April 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"It could take years, but the prototype device for turning solar energy into electrical power being developed at the University of Pretoria will some day electrify homes and businesses. For now, the device, which can be found on the roof of the Engineering 2 building at Tuks, will be for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Solar&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Solar","link":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/category\/solar\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6246,"url":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/western-cape-solar-installer-checklist\/","url_meta":{"origin":6257,"position":3},"title":"Western Cape Solar Installer Checklist","author":"Alan","date":"21 February 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Hot on the heels of this Solar Best Practice Checklist: Solar Installer Best Practices\u00a0-\u00a0the City of Cape Town has released their own checklist for Western Cape consumers wishing to install rooftop solar. 1. Verify that your installer is qualified and certified The first important step is to decide which solar\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Solar&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Solar","link":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/category\/solar\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Canadian Solar CS6K-265P","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Canadian_Solar_CS6K-265P.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Canadian_Solar_CS6K-265P.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Canadian_Solar_CS6K-265P.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":843,"url":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/solar-the-logical-choice\/","url_meta":{"origin":6257,"position":4},"title":"Solar &#8211; The Logical Choice","author":"Alan","date":"10 November 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The need to move to solar energy seems a logical choice. Most areas in South Africa get around 2500 hours of sunshine per year. The southern African region and the whole of Africa has sunshine throughout the year. The annual 24-hour global solar radiation average is about 220W\/m\u00b2 for South\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Solar&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Solar","link":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/category\/solar\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/MyPR_Panels_Installed.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/MyPR_Panels_Installed.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/MyPR_Panels_Installed.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/MyPR_Panels_Installed.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6214,"url":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/press-release-why-solar-companies-dont-want-to-certify-your-diy-installation\/","url_meta":{"origin":6257,"position":5},"title":"Press Release: Why Solar Companies Don&#8217;t Want to Certify Your DIY Installation","author":"Alan","date":"20 February 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Many suppliers of solar equipment are promoting DIY solar power equipment aimed at the enthusiastic handyman looking to save a buck on a renewable energy generation system. Inevitably the DIY Installer hits a brick wall when looking to take advantage of Grid Tie by applying for the installation of a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Solar&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Solar","link":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/category\/solar\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mypr.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Straton_Solar_1020.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6257"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6257\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6258,"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6257\/revisions\/6258"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/straton.co.za\/solar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}