Warning about potentially dangerous solar batteries

Scam warming: 

Be aware that scammers may use the information about this recall to elicit personal information or money from you. The ACCC would never ask for your details or payment. Never give personal information or money to anyone contacting you out of the blue and never give access to your computer or bank account. If you have given information to a scammer or lost money, contact your bank immediately. Report scams to Scamwatch: www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will directly contact almost 5000 households that are likely to have energy solar systems with dangerous LG solar batteries to continue efforts to raise awareness about safety recalls.

The batteries, which may be branded LG, SolaX, Opal, Redback, Red Earth, Eguana and VARTA, can overheat and catch fire, causing property damage and injuries. The ACCC is reaching out to consumers who are likely to have recalled LG batteries to warn them of the fire risk associated with the faulty batteries.

Consumers are urged to turn affected batteries off, keep them off and contact the manufacturer for a free replacement or a refund. LG will provide financial compensation to consumers who have higher electricity bills as a result of not being able to use their battery as expected.

So far, about 2900 batteries have been replaced or removed from consumers’ properties. A further 1400 batteries have been switched off or have had the maximum charge capacity reduced to 75 per cent to reduce the risk overheating while waiting for a replacement or refund.

However, LG and SolaX are trying to trace around 3000 additional recalled batteries.

“This recall has been updated twice to include new models, affected systems and dates of manufacture, so even if your battery was not recalled previously, you must check your battery’s serial number on the website: www.lgessbattery.com/au/main/main.lg

“We remain very concerned about the fire risks these faulty batteries pose, so please act quickly,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. “Unfortunately, since October 2019 there have been nine reported incidents involving these types of batteries in Australia resulting in property damage and one injury. We do not want to see any more incidents or injuries.”

LG will replace recalled batteries manufactured between 29 March 2017 and 13 September 2018 free of charge. Alternatively, consumers can opt for a refund and have the recalled battery removed from their property at no cost.

“While we are trying to reach as many affected households as possible in the coming weeks, please don’t wait to be contacted. Check if your battery has been recalled and take action now,” Ms Rickard said.

LG has also advised the ACCC that it has identified about 10,000 additional batteries that are at risk of overheating. To address this risk, LG is proposing to install diagnostic software to identify and shut down dangerous batteries, which will then be replaced for free. Electrical safety regulators are currently assessing LG’s proposed diagnostic software remedy for these additional batteries.

What consumers should do:

1. Check if your battery has been recalled
    Consumers can use the serial number checker on the LG website www.lgessbattery.com/au/main/main.lg to see if their energy storage system is affected by the recall. 
2. If your battery has been recalled, switch it off
    To switch off the battery storage system safely, refer to the instructions for the battery storage system or contact the installer or LG Energy Solution 1300 677 273 or email productau@lgensol.com 
3. Contact the manufacturer
    Contact the manufacturer to let them know you have a recalled battery and arrange a remedy.
    For LG, Redback, Red Earth, Evolve or VARTA energy storage systems contact LG Energy Solution on 1300 677 273 or email productau@lgensol.com 
    For SolaX or Opal battery systems contact SolaX Power on 1300 476 529 or email service@solaxpower.com