Published
Following a recommendation by the ACCC, the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon. Stephen Jones, has today issued a national safety warning notice to warn consumers of fire risks associated with recalled LG solar lithium-ion batteries which are installed in solar energy systems across the country.
The safety warning notice was issued pursuant to the Australian Consumer Law to alert consumers to the risk of house fires associated with certain LG solar lithium-ion storage batteries which are the subject of a product safety recall. The affected batteries risk overheating and this could start a house fire that could potentially injure or even kill occupants, as well as causing property damage.
About 8,000 affected LG batteries remain at risk in homes across Australia. The affected batteries were manufactured by LG and installed in LG branded systems as well as in systems sold under other brands, such as SolaX, and in unbranded systems. Concerningly, about 6,000 of these batteries have not yet been located.
“Following the Minister’s urgent safety warning, consumers should check whether their solar storage battery is subject to the recall today. This includes non-LG-branded solar storage systems, which may also contain a recalled LG battery. If a battery is subject to recall, it should be switched off immediately,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“Thousands of people may be unaware they live in homes that have one of these affected batteries installed in their solar energy system. The Minister has issued a safety warning notice to draw attention to the safety risks. It is vitally important that everyone with a solar system checks their battery now to make sure they keep their family safe.”
“The solar battery recalls have expanded recently to include new models. Even if you have already checked whether your battery is affected by the recalls, check it again via the LG website, and turn off your LG battery straight away if it has been recalled,” Ms Lowe said.
“LG will provide a refund, replacement or software update to fix the problem, and has also committed to paying compensation to consumers who incur higher energy bills while their system is switched off.”
Further information is available at the Product Safety Australia website (see LG Energy Solution recalls: PRA 2020/18529 and PRA 2022/19550 and SolaX Power recall: PRA 2022/19420).
What should consumers do?
1. Check if your battery has been recalled
Affected LG batteries may be in other branded systems including SolaX and in un-branded solar energy systems. Visit https://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.
Further information is on the Product Safety Australia website:
2. If your battery has been recalled, switch it off
To switch off the affected LG battery safely, refer to the instructions for your energy storage system or contact the installer or LG 1300 677 273 or email productau@lgensol.com.
3. Contact LG or SolaX
Contact LG or SolaX to let them know you have a recalled battery and arrange a free replacement, refund or software update. LG or SolaX will let you know which remedy applies to your battery.
For LG or any other affected energy storage systems contact LG on 1300 677 273 or email productau@lgensol.com.
For affected LG batteries in SolaX or Opal battery systems contact SolaX Power on 1300 476 529 or email service@solaxpower.com.
What happens next?
Consumers with affected LG batteries are urged to register their details with LG to receive a free replacement, refund or software update.
While all affected batteries should be immediately turned off, some will be directly replaced or fully refunded. Other affected LG batteries will receive a software update which will shut down batteries at risk of overheating and any LG battery shut down by the software will be replaced or refunded.
LG will advise consumers of which remedy applies to their affected LG battery.
LG will also provide financial compensation to consumers who have higher electricity bills as a result of not being able to use their battery.
For more information on affected LG batteries in LG, Redback, Red Earth, Eguana or VARTA energy storage systems, consumers can contact LG on 1300 677 273 or email productau@lgensol.com.
For more information on affected LG batteries in SolaX or Opal energy storage systems, call SolaX on 1300 476 529 or email service@solaxpower.com.
Pictures of affected batteries and systems
Affected models
SolaX X-Cabinet
SolaX Power Station
Opal Storage
Burnt LG Battery Pictures
