When a promise sounds too good to be true, it often is—and for many Australians, that lesson is being learned the hard way.
The lure of lower power bills and a greener home has seen thousands jump at the chance to install solar panels, but for some, the dream has turned into a financial and emotional nightmare.
Christine Hirchfield, a 73-year-old retiree from regional Victoria, is one such Aussie who found herself caught in a web of misleading sales tactics, mounting debt, and relentless stress.
Her story is a cautionary tale for anyone considering unsolicited offers—especially those targeting older Australians, regional residents, and people on fixed incomes.
A solar dream turns sour
Christine’s ordeal began innocently enough. Like many of us, she was drawn in by a Facebook ad promising affordable solar panels, interest-free payment plans, and generous feed-in tariffs.
The salesperson from GC Perfect Solar sweetened the deal with promises of free panel cleaning for a decade and a free battery after a year—an enticing offer for someone who’d experienced frequent power outages.
But as Christine soon discovered, the devil was in the (missing) details. The paperwork was vague, the contract was rushed, and before she knew it, she’d handed over her bank details for direct debits.
‘I am sorry the day I let that person into my house because it has been a nightmare and rollercoaster,’ she said.
The fine print fiasco
The real shock came when the finance contract from Brighte, a renewable energy finance provider, arrived. Instead of the $88 per fortnight she’d agreed to, the contract demanded $95 plus fees—an unaffordable sum for someone on the pension.
Sensing something was amiss, Christine cancelled her bank card and began a long, stressful battle with the companies involved.
Despite Brighte eventually releasing her from the finance agreement, the nightmare continued. GC Perfect Solar sent debt collectors after her, first demanding $2200, then the full contract amount of $11,800.
Christine asked for the panels to be removed, but the company refused to respond.
A widespread problem
Christine’s experience is far from unique. The Consumer Action Law Centre (CALC) has documented dozens of similar cases, particularly among vulnerable groups: older Australians, people with disabilities, those living in regional areas, and individuals with limited English or mental health challenges.
CALC’s CEO, Steph Tonkin, describes unsolicited selling and doorknocking as a ‘horrific problem’ that’s persisted for decades.
‘Generally it’s backpackers that companies bus out to regional centres and they see someone who is not 100 per cent with it and they sign them up to $10,000 and $15,000 solar panel contracts and do it because of buy now, pay later,’ she explains.
‘It’s often a dodgy salesperson meets dodgy installer and it’s a hot mess as people are paying off these solar panels when they can’t afford it.’
And it’s not just solar panels. CALC has seen similar tactics used to sell everything from air conditioners and recliner chairs to vacuum cleaners and even education courses that don’t exist.
The result? People are left with products they don’t need, can’t use, or can’t afford—sometimes facing debt collectors, court action, or even bankruptcy.
The rise of lead generation and social media traps
A new twist in the tale is the use of ‘lead generation’—where companies use online ads to get you to express interest, then claim you’ve invited them to contact you.
This grey area allows businesses to sidestep some consumer protections, making it even harder for people to know their rights or avoid high-pressure sales.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is now reviewing these practices, following a formal complaint from CALC.
The watchdog has received around 250 reports of unsolicited selling in just over a year, but the true number is likely much higher, as many people feel too embarrassed or overwhelmed to come forward.
What protections exist—and are they enough?
While there are some legal protections for consumers—such as a 10-day cooling-off period for unsolicited sales—CALC argues these are not enough.
Some salespeople have even been caught crossing out the cooling-off period in contracts or refusing to leave people’s homes when asked.
Finance companies like Brighte say they expect high standards from their partners and will act when concerns are raised.
In Christine’s case, Brighte cancelled her contract and ended their relationship with the sales agent. But for many, the damage is already done.
How to protect yourself
If you’re considering solar panels or any big-ticket item, especially after an unsolicited approach, here are some tips to protect yourself:
- Take your time: Never sign anything on the spot. Ask for all details in writing and review them carefully.
- Check the company: Look up reviews, check for complaints, and see if they’re accredited by industry bodies.
- Understand the contract: Make sure you know exactly what you’re paying, for how long, and what happens if you change your mind.
- Know your rights: You have a 10-day cooling-off period for unsolicited sales. If you feel pressured, say no and ask the salesperson to leave.
- Seek help: If you feel you’ve been misled or pressured, contact your state’s consumer protection agency or organisations like CALC.
Have your say
Have you or someone you know been targeted by unsolicited sales—solar panels or otherwise?
Did you feel pressured, misled, or left out of pocket? We’d love to hear your stories and tips for staying safe in the comments below. Your experience could help others avoid the same pitfalls.
Let’s look out for each other and make sure no more Aussies are caught out by these ‘horrendous’ practices.
Also read: No more power bills? Australian dad hits zero as $2.3b rebate launches
