Consumers are being urged to check their solar energy storage systems for unsafe LG solar batteries, after the Assistant Treasurer issued a proposed recall notice for specified LG solar storage batteries, which can overheat and catch fire without warning.
Across Australia, 13 incidents of property damage have been linked to the affected batteries, including a house in Victoria that was destroyed.
Related article: Consumers warned to shut off LG solar batteries immediately
Following a recommendation by the ACCC, the proposed recall notice was issued by the Assistant Treasurer because it appears to him that LG has not taken satisfactory action to prevent the affected batteries causing injury to any person.
“A proposed recall notice is a formal step towards a compulsory recall, and highlights the serious risk posed by the around 5,000 affected LG solar storage batteries that have not yet been located,” ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said.
“We are urging everyone that has a solar energy storage system to check whether they have an affected battery and, if they do and it has not been remediated, to switch it off and contact LG immediately.
“Even if you don’t have an LG-branded solar storage system, please still follow our recommended steps to check your battery to protect your home and your family. Some of the affected batteries are installed in systems sold under other brands or in unbranded systems,” Lowe said.
Consumers have a right to receive a refund, replacement or software update to fix the problem at no cost to them. The remedy each consumer will receive depends on the serial number of the battery affected. LG has also committed to providing compensation to consumers who face higher energy bills while their system is switched off.
The proposed recall notice contains additional steps for LG to take to publicise the recall and the serious safety risk in order to increase consumer awareness and location rates, so that these dangerous batteries can be remediated without delay.
Related article: Consumers urged to check storage batteries due to fire risk
Affected LG batteries may be in other branded systems including SolaX and in unbranded solar energy systems. Visit www.lgessbattery.com/au, click on ‘Electrical Safety Recall’ and follow the instructions to find out if your battery is affected by the recall.
If you need help, immediately contact LG Energy Solution Australia (LG) by phone on 1300 677 273 or by email to productau@lgensol.com.
