Territorians are being warned to avoid a solar company now operating in the NT, following reports of its questionable practices in WA, where it is alleged the company made coercive sales, delivered malfunctioning equipment and took deposits while making customers sign unlawful contracts, Northern Territory Consumer Affairs and NT WorkSafe have said.

Sunboost Energy Pty Ltd – which also trades under Energenic Solar Energetic Engineering, Sunboost, and Syed Zaidi – is selling photovoltaic (PV) solar equipment in the Territory, the watchdog organisations said.

The company has been accused of engaging in unsolicited sales practices, failing to provide consumers with the mandatory 10-day cooling-off period, and collecting deposits while having customers sign illegal contracts.

Consumer Affairs and NT WorkSafe have indicated that Sunboost Energy is focusing on Indigenous communities and applying pressure on residents to purchase solar energy systems through financing options.

The two agencies said they were made aware of questionable practices by Sunboost Energy across Western Australia, particularly concerning aggressive door-to-door sales of solar systems, from Port Hedland to Broome and Halls Creek to Kununurra.

“Vulnerable and elderly people have also been targeted by signing and entering into contractual arrangements for solar and financing,” a statement said.

“In some cases, the installations provided by Sunboost Energy have malfunctioned or failed to work at all.”

Sunboost Energy Pty Ltd has been distributing promotional materials in Darwin, and Territorians are strongly recommended to ignore them, the government organisations said.

Territorians who have already purchased goods or services with the company are advised to contact NT Consumer Affairs at 1800 019 319 or consumer@nt.gov.au or NT Worksafe at 1800 019 115 or ntworksafe@nt.gov.au.