Shining light on solar safety: LG sparks urgent recall for overheating batteries
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In the age of environmental consciousness and the push for renewable energy, many Australian homeowners have turned to solar power as a sustainable solution.
However, a recent development has cast a shadow over the sunny prospects of solar energy storage systems.
As the renewable energy sector expands, ensuring the reliability and integrity of solar technology remains paramount to safeguarding both consumers and the environment.
LG, a leading technology giant, issued an urgent call to action for homeowners with potentially hazardous solar batteries to come forward.
The concern stemmed from the discovery that over 4,000 Australian homes are still equipped with solar batteries that could overheat and catch fire without warning.
This alarming situation prompted LG to launch a year-long advertising campaign to raise awareness and encourage consumers to respond to the recall.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released details of LG's recall commitments, which are now backed by a court-enforceable undertaking to amplify the urgency and reach of their warnings.
LG Energy Solution has recalled a total of 18,000 solar storage batteries sold in Australia, with the recall process beginning in August 2020.
These faulty batteries, distributed by LG and SolaX, were manufactured between January 2016 and June 2019.
They pose a significant risk: They can overheat, enter a state known as thermal runaway, and potentially ignite.
To date, fifteen reported incidents of property damage linked to these batteries, including a devastating house fire in Victoria, have been reported.
In response to the potential risks, LG has committed to alerting consumers through its advertising campaign and compensating them for the cost of the batteries and installation.
Additionally, they will cover the increased energy bills incurred while the solar batteries are deactivated.
The consumer watchdog is not indifferent to the gravity of the situation. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe emphasised the necessity of recalling all dangerous batteries within a 12-month timeframe.
‘We are warning consumers who have a solar energy storage system to check if their battery is affected by these recalls,’ she stated.
‘If you have an affected battery, including one that has already received a software update, switch it off and contact LG urgently.’
Lowe mentioned that the commission was also examining whether the software implemented to resolve the issue in certain batteries was sufficient.
In a concerning turn of events, a battery in Townsville that had received this software update caught fire in March, prompting further investigation by the ACCC.
‘The ACCC is extremely concerned by this development and we are keeping a close watch,’ Lowe said.
‘We urge all consumers who previously had a software update installed to immediately switch off their battery, pending the outcome of these investigations.’
LG's recent actions follow three months after federal Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones issued a proposed recall notice to the company regarding its defective batteries.
However, the ACCC has now advised against a mandatory recall.
Solar battery owners can determine if their products are impacted by the recall by visiting the LG website or calling 1300 677 273.
For our readers who have invested in solar power, we encourage you to take this warning seriously and verify the safety of your solar batteries.
Have you or someone you know had a similar experience with this product? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
However, a recent development has cast a shadow over the sunny prospects of solar energy storage systems.
As the renewable energy sector expands, ensuring the reliability and integrity of solar technology remains paramount to safeguarding both consumers and the environment.
LG, a leading technology giant, issued an urgent call to action for homeowners with potentially hazardous solar batteries to come forward.
The concern stemmed from the discovery that over 4,000 Australian homes are still equipped with solar batteries that could overheat and catch fire without warning.
This alarming situation prompted LG to launch a year-long advertising campaign to raise awareness and encourage consumers to respond to the recall.
LG Energy Solution initiated an urgent advertising campaign to warn Australian homeowners about the dangers of over 4,000 defective solar batteries that have not been addressed. Credits: ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released details of LG's recall commitments, which are now backed by a court-enforceable undertaking to amplify the urgency and reach of their warnings.
LG Energy Solution has recalled a total of 18,000 solar storage batteries sold in Australia, with the recall process beginning in August 2020.
These faulty batteries, distributed by LG and SolaX, were manufactured between January 2016 and June 2019.
They pose a significant risk: They can overheat, enter a state known as thermal runaway, and potentially ignite.
To date, fifteen reported incidents of property damage linked to these batteries, including a devastating house fire in Victoria, have been reported.
In response to the potential risks, LG has committed to alerting consumers through its advertising campaign and compensating them for the cost of the batteries and installation.
Additionally, they will cover the increased energy bills incurred while the solar batteries are deactivated.
The consumer watchdog is not indifferent to the gravity of the situation. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe emphasised the necessity of recalling all dangerous batteries within a 12-month timeframe.
‘We are warning consumers who have a solar energy storage system to check if their battery is affected by these recalls,’ she stated.
‘If you have an affected battery, including one that has already received a software update, switch it off and contact LG urgently.’
Lowe mentioned that the commission was also examining whether the software implemented to resolve the issue in certain batteries was sufficient.
In a concerning turn of events, a battery in Townsville that had received this software update caught fire in March, prompting further investigation by the ACCC.
‘The ACCC is extremely concerned by this development and we are keeping a close watch,’ Lowe said.
‘We urge all consumers who previously had a software update installed to immediately switch off their battery, pending the outcome of these investigations.’
LG's recent actions follow three months after federal Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones issued a proposed recall notice to the company regarding its defective batteries.
However, the ACCC has now advised against a mandatory recall.
Solar battery owners can determine if their products are impacted by the recall by visiting the LG website or calling 1300 677 273.
Have you or someone you know had a similar experience with this product? Share your stories with us in the comments below.
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