1. INTERPRETATION
Words that are bold in this document have special meanings. Their special meanings are set out in the paragraphs below. We recommend consulting these definitions as you come across them in the sections below.
1.1 Interpretation
(a) The Contract Documents (interpreted in the order of precedence set out in the Quotation) constitute the entireagreement between the parties and come into effect uponExecution (the Contract).
(b) This Contract contains the entire agreement between the parties concerning its subject matter. The Contract replaces any other agreement between the parties relating to thesubject matter of the Contract.
(c) Headings and explanatory text boxes in blue shading are for convenience only and do not form part of the Contract.
(d) Any inconsistencies or ambiguities in the Contract Documents will be explained or resolved by SunEnergy (acting reasonably).
(e) A rule of construction does not apply to the disadvantage of a party because the party was responsible for thepreparation of it.
1.2 Definitions
In the Contract:
(a) Approval means all permits, consents, certificates, licences and approvals required from any authority to install the System Installation including planning and development approvals (but does not include approvals or licencing related to conduct of SunEnergy’s business);
(b) Contractual Warranty means the warranty set out in the Quotation;
(c) Cooling-off Period only applies to unsolicited consumer agreements where SunEnergy has made the first point of contact by telephone. Unsolicited consumer agreements have 10 business days, starting the first business day after they sign or have received the agreement document to cancel the Contract at no cost. If the first point of contact is initiated by the consumer, no coolingoff period applies.
(d) Date for Installation Completion means the date so described in the Quotation as amended in accordance with the Contract;
(e) Execution means:
(i) where the Quotation state “Manual Signature”, that point in time where this document is signed by both parties (including by counterparts then exchanged); or
(ii) where the Quotation state “Electronic Signature Process” that point in time where an image of the signatures of the parties are placed on the document and a copy of the Contract containing signatures of the Owner and SunEnergy is circulated by email;
(f) Goods means any or all of the products supplied by SunEnergy or on our behalf;
(g) Installed means that stage where any of the components of the System Installation has been fixed to the Property, but Installation Completion has not been reached;
(h) Installation Completion means that stage where:
(i) the System Installation is complete, ready for final electrical inspection for metering commissioning (so that the system will be ready for use following this step) but does not include Utility Metering Setup;
(i) Installation Program means the program set in the Quotation;
(j) Maintenance Documents means the documents titled as such delivered to the Owner prior to Installation Completion which detail how a system is to be appropriately maintained;
(k) Milestone Amount means the amount set out in the Quotation in relation to each Milestone Date;
(l) Milestone Date means the dates where the works in relation to the System Installation reaches the stages set out in the Quotation;
(m) Owner means the party identified as such in the Quotation who has elected to have the System Installation done at the Property;
(n) Pay As You Save means finance, credit or a payment plan facilitated by SunEnergy ‘Pay As You Save’ Provider and offered by SunEnergy in relation to the purchase of the Goods and Services. Pay As You Save Provider means the finance company the Owner has been approved by to purchase the Goods and Services.
(o) Payment Claim has the meaning given in clause 5(b);
(p) Price Increase Acceptance Notice has the meaning given in clause 6.2;
(q) Price Increase Notice has the meaning given in clause 6.2;
(r) Price Increase Termination Notice has the meaning given in clause 6.2;
(s) Property means the property at which, the System will be installed, as specified in the Quotation;
(t) Services means any or all of the installation services for solar products, battery products and/or other energy products conducted by or on behalf of SunEnergy.
(u) SunEnergy, we or us means SunEnergy Group Pty Ltd (ACN 677 574 373) trading as SunEnergy
(v) SunEnergy means the party identified as such in the Quotation, being the:
(i) provider of the components making up the solar electricity system and/or other products; and
(ii) organiser (whether through self-performance or subcontracting to an installation contractor) of the installation process, to deliver the System Installation to the Owner of the Property.
(w) System Price (excluding the STC Incentive) means the amount set out in the Quotation;
(x) System Specifications means the document set out in the quotation table;
(y) Schedule of Rates means the schedule of rates or prices included in the quotation table (if any);
(z) System Installation means the whole of the work described in the Quotation and including Variations provided for by the Contract;
(aa) Start Date has the meaning given in the Quotation;
(bb) STC means a small-scale technology certificate created under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 (Cth);
(cc) Total Price Payable (including the STC Incentive) means the amount set out in the quotation table as amended in accordance with the Contract;
(dd) Utility Metering Setup means any upgrades, modifications or registration required by the Owner’s electricity retailer for billing purposes following Installation Completion at the Property;
(ee) Variation has the meaning given in clause 6.1
2. PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS
This section describes your obligations, and ours, as we both perform the actions included in this contract. Doing your part will help us deliver the you System smoothly and swiftly. This section also explains how the pricing may change.
2.1 Parties’ Responsibilities
(a) It is SunEnergy’s responsibility to arrange the delivery and installation of the Goods and Services at the Property.
(b) From the Start Date, the Owner must provide sufficient access to the Property to allow SunEnergy to perform the Goods and Services Installation.
(c) The Owner warrants that:
(i) it has full authority to allow the installation at the Property;
(ii) there are no structural integrity issues with the roof or electrical systems of the Property; and
(iii) the roof has the ability to carry the weight of the System Installation, (the Owner Property Warranties).
(d) SunEnergy will use all reasonable care during the performance of the Contract in regard to the roof and electrical systems of the Property, SunEnergy is not liable for:
(i) effects on any roof manufacturer’s warranty;
(ii) damage to the roof or Property which is not due to SunEnergy’s breach;
(iii) loss or damage to the Owner or a third party arising out of the performance of the Contract in circumstances where there is a breach of the Owner Property Warranties; or
(iv) operational maintenance of the System Installation following Installation Completion.
2.2 Site Condition Pricing Adjustment and Other Additional Charges
Any site conditions and special circumstances beyond the control of SunEnergy, including the following metering charges are beyond SunEnergy’s control and may give rise to extra charges to be borne by the Owner:
(a) meter replacement fees
(b) non compliant meter box/sub board
(c) meter reconfiguration fees
(d) damage to the meter panel
(e) changes to any dedicated off-peak control devices or hot water timers
(f) Electricity Network Provider appointments
(g) repairs for existing faults
the costs associated with these will give rise to a Variation to be administered under clause 6. The Owner’s obligation to pay the Total Price Payable is not affected by any delay by a third party performing any service or works referred to clause 2.2.
3. WARRANTIES
3.1 Commitment to High Quality Products and Honouring Consumer Warranties
SunEnergy:
(a) will ensure that the System Installation (including workmanship, inverters, panels, battery supplied) will:
(i) be in conformity with the provisions of the Contract and be new;
(ii) be in accordance with best industry standards and practices; and
(b) subject to clause 10, the System Installation has an installation warranty for a period of 5 years from the date the Goods are installed.
(c) subject to clause 10, SunEnergy will ensure any claims under Contractual Warranty or the Australian Consumer Law are addressed by way of repairs or replacements within a reasonable timeframe. SunEnergy will provide reasonable assistance to the Owner in making any guarantee or warranty claim against the manufacturer of the System, including by acting as liaison with the manufacturer. SunEnergy cannot be held reliable for delays the customer may experience due to stock delays and or freight issues caused by the manufacturer. Product replacement itself will fall under manufacturer guidelines and replacement is at the discretion of the manufacturer, SunEnergy will not be held liable for any loss of production or savings due to product failure or under performance. (d) the Contractual Warranty is additional to any other guarantee, warranty, or consumer right covered by the Australian Consumer Law and any applicable manufacturer’s warranties, the Australian Consumer Law does not exclude or replace the terms of this Contract.
3.2 Subcontracting and Supply Chain
SunEnergy’s warranties under this Contract are unaffected by any subcontracting and SunEnergy is liable for all acts and omissions of its supply chain.
3.3 Safety
SunEnergy (and its supply chain) must ensure that the System Installation is carried out in a safe manner and in strict compliance with all applicable laws relating to workplace health and safety.
3.4 Complaints Handling
If the Owner has a complaint regarding any matter in relation to this Contract:
(a) The Owner can make a complaint to SunEnergy in the following ways: Calling, emailing or posting mail to the contact Quotation listed on the quote;
(b) SunEnergy must, upon receipt of the compliant under clause 3.5(a):
(i) make every reasonable effort to advise the Owner as soon as possible of receipt of the complaint and the expected timeframe for resolution of that complaint (Timeframe Commitment); and
(ii) handle the complaint in accordance with
(A). the Timeframe Commitment;
(B). its standard complaints procedures on Complaints Handling AS ISO 10002-2006 (Complaints Handling Procedure); and
(c) following the Complaints Handling Procedure, if the Owner are still not satisfied, the Owner may refer the complaint to with the relevant Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs office:
(i) ACT: Office of Regulatory Services Phone: (02) 6207 3000 (ii) NSW: Fair Trading Phone: 13 32 20
(iii) NT: Consumer Affairs Phone: 1800 019 319
(iv) QLD: Office of Fair Trading Phone: 13 74 68
(v) SA: Consumer and Business Services Phone: 13 18 82
(vi) TAS: Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Phone: 1300 654 499
(vii) VIC: Consumer Affairs Phone: 1300 558 181
(viii) WA: Consumer Protection Phone: 1300 304 054
(d) Without limiting the above, SunEnergy will, within 21 business days of receiving any compliant under clause (a), provide to the Owner:
(i) feedback on the outcome of complaints; or
(ii) a notice that further investigation is required (in which case, SunEnergy shall have another 24 days to provide feedback on the outcome of any complaint).
3.5 Privacy
SunEnergy will comply with all relevant privacy legislation in relation to the Owner’s personal information and if the Owner has any questions in relation to privacy, SunEnergy will promptly address these questions upon the Owner calling SunEnergy on the telephone number in the quote or giving SunEnergy a Notice setting out its question.
3.6 Metering & Tariffs
(a) The Owner acknowledges that new electricity tariff rates may be applied after the System Installation is carried out. The Owner should contact their electricity retailer to check they are agreeable to the proposed tariff rates before the installation of the system.
(b) Immediately following Installation Completion, SunEnergy will provide all reasonable assistance to the Owner to:
(i) measure the performance of the System Installation which may include any of the following (subject to the Owner’s choice):
(A). Demonstration on the day of solar installation;
(B). written instructions on how to read the inverter; or
(C). provision of a measuring device that links back to the inverter, so that the Owner can measure energy output and performance.
4. GRID CONNECTION APPROVAL
Getting approval from your electricity network provider to export solar power to the grid is an important part of going solar. This section outlines our responsibilities, including the Owner as an Owner.
4.1 Application on Owner Behalf
(a) This clause 4.1 applies if the Quotation states that SunEnergy will apply for Grid Connection Approval on the Owner’s behalf.
(b) SunEnergy will:
(i) make the application as soon as possible;
(ii) keep the Owner updated on the progress of the application;
(iii) respond, within a reasonable timeframe, to any information or other requests from the distributor; and
(iv) promptly give the Owner Notice of the outcome of the application.
(c) If Grid Connection Approval is refused, then this Contract will terminate, and SunEnergy will give the Owner a full refund under clause 8.1.
4.3 Approvals Generally
The Owner is responsible for obtaining all Approvals (other than grid connection if SunEnergy has elected to be responsible, see Quotation Section) required for the performance of this Contract and must apply for these Approvals as soon as possible.
If the Premises contains common property managed by an Owners Corporation, the Owner must ensure the consent and approval (including any Bylaw updates) are obtained prior to entry into this Contract.
4.4 Internet Connection
The Owner is responsible for ensuring there is a strong and stable internet connection on site to the inverter to ensure grid connection compliance with DNSP and for monitoring and system updates required throughout the life of the system. The internet connection cannot be from a mobile or Wi-Fi dongle.
If at the time of installation, the internet connection is not sufficient to reach the inverter, the owner must purchase appropriate equipment to boost the signal. This is not included in the price of this contract.
The Owner acknowledges that, if the system has a monitoring feature available, it is their responsibility to provide a stable and compatible internet connection to enable monitoring to take place.
The Owner’s obligation to pay the Total Price Payable is not affected by any delay relating to lack of or no internet connection.
5. PAYMENT
(a) For performing its obligations under the Contract, SunEnergy is entitled to be paid the Total Price Payable by the Owner.
(b) On each Milestone Date, SunEnergy may issue an invoice for the corresponding Milestone Amount (Payment Claim).
(c) The due date for payment is listed on the invoice issued to the Owner.
(d) Payments under this contract can be made by direct deposit of credit card. Credit card surcharge will apply.
(e) Failure to pay the Purchase Price when due, or if any purported payment by the Owner is not honoured,the Owner must pay on demand any cost, expenses or losses which have been, or likely to be, incurred by SunEnergy as a result, including costs associated with the collection of any outstanding amounts (including the costs of any debt collection agency) and any cheque dishonour fees. If the Owner fails to pay the Purchase Price when due, the Owner acknowledges and agrees that SunEnergy may (without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that we may have):
(i) switch off the system or restrict the systems performance;
(ii) charge interest on the overdue amount at a rate of 10% which will be calculated on a day to day basis from the date the amount was due until the date the overdue amount is paid in full;
(iii) lodge a default on the Owners credit history file;
(iv) engage a debt collection agency to pursue the outstanding debt on our behalf, as well as any other costs, expenses or losses incurred by us as a result of the Owners failure to pay (including the costs of the debt collection agency); and/or
(v) commence legal proceedings in order to recover any debt owed and our fees and expenses in bringing legal proceedings against the owner, including administration and legal fees on a solicitor/client basis.
(vi) reserve the right not to provide system login details and paperwork relating to the installation until we have received payment in full.
(f) If the Owner applies for Pay As You Save, the Owner acknowledges and agrees that:
(i) all information provided in relation to Owners application is true and accurate and that the SunEnergy Pay As You Save Provider, will rely on that information in offering the Owner Pay As You Save finance; and
(ii) if for any reason the Owner does not enter into a legally binding agreement with th Pay As You Save Provider or if any reason any such agreement is cancelled or otherwise not proceeded with or is brought to an end then:
(A). The Owner will remain liable to pay to SunEnergy the full cost of any goods and services provided;
(B). the Contract alone, and not any terms and conditions of the Pay As You Save Provider, will apply to the goods and services;
(iii) the Owner will make the agreed repayments to the Pay As You Save Provider by direct debit for the period of the finance agreement; and
(iv) the Owner acknowledges that they will continue to receive an electricity bill from their retailer in addition to the fortnightly repayments plus associated fees.
(v) the Owner acknowledges that it is not the responsibility of SunEnergy to connect the system(s) to the electricity grid and that the Owner must commence repayments SunEnergy Pay As You Save Provider upon Installation Completion by SunEnergy.
(vi) the Pay As You Save Provider finance agreement is not regulated by the Commonwealth NCCP Act 2009. As a result:
(A) If the Owner has a complaint about the finance agreement, they may not have access to the services of an external dispute resolution scheme that has been approved by ASIC. This means the Owner may have to go to court to resolve a dispute with the Pay As You Save Provider.
(vii) If the Owner has trouble paying the periodic payments required under the Pay As the You Save Solar Provider finance agreement
(A). the Owner may not have the right to ask the Pay As You Save Provider for a hardship variation to help the owner get through their financial difficulty.
(B). The Pay As You Save Provider may take action against the Owner for non-payment without giving the Owner an opportunity to remedy the fault.
(C). The Owner must contact the Pay As You Save Provider to discuss their situation with them or to find out more about the Pay As You Save Provider’s financial hardship policy and payment default policy.
(viii) Pay As You Save account enquiries, must be made with the Pay As You Save Provider, as per the finance approval documents provided to the Owner by the Pay As You Save Provider.
(ix) If the Owner has a complaint relating to the SunEnergy Pay As You Save Provider or finance agreement, the Owner can make a complaint to the Pay As Your Save Provider. Contact details are provided on the Owner approval documents from the finance provider.
(A) If an issue has not been resolved to the Owners satisfaction, the Owner can lodge a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA. AFCA provides fair and independent financial services complaint resolution that is free to consumers. Australian Financial Complaints Authority Website: www.afca.org.au Email: info@afca.org.au Telephone: 1800 931 678 (free call) In writing to: Australian Financial Complaints Authority, GPO Box 3, Melbourne VIC 3001
6. VARIATIONS
This section covers the Owner in cases where the Owner wants to request changes to the System. It also allows us to request changes in case of unexpected supply chain issues.
6.1 General Variations
(a) The Owner is entitled to direct SunEnergy to increase, decrease or change the System Installation, the sequence in which the System Installation is performed, or the materials or classes of work specified (Variation).
(b) Any Variation must be agreed verbally or in writing by the Owner.
(c) Once the adjustment to the Total Price Payable in relation to the Variation is agreed or determined:
(i) SunEnergy must carry out the Variation; and
(ii) the Owner must pay the adjustment to the Total Price on the due date of invoice.
6.2 Supply Chain Price Adjustment
(a) To the extent permitted by law, at any time, if there is a material increase in the actual costs or out of pocket amounts incurred by SunEnergy in performing the System Installation (in whole or part):
(i) SunEnergy may notify the Owner of the proposed increase to the Total Price Payable (Price Increase Notice);
(ii) the Owner must, within 5 business days of receiving the Price Increase Notice, provide Notice that it:
(A) accepts the proposed increase to the Total Price Payable (Price Increase Acceptance Notice); or
(B) rejects the proposed increase to the Total Price Payable and wishes to terminate the Contract (Price Increase Termination Notice).
(b) If the Owner does not respond within 5 days as required under clause 6.2(a), the Owner is deemed to have issued a Price Increase Acceptance Notice.
7. COMPLETION
7.1 Completion Process
(a) When Installation Completion has been achieved, the Owner must inspect the installation within 5 days of Installation Completion.
(b) Following the inspection:
(i) the Owner must give Notice to SunEnergy within 5 business days of any reasons why it considers Installation Completion has not been reached (Issues List)
(ii) following receipt of the Issues List, SunEnergy must address any issues on the Issues List which prevents the System Installation from reaching Installation Completion before giving notice under clause 7.1 first; and
(iii) if no Issues List is issued pursuant to clause 7.1(b)(i), Installation Completion is deemed to have been achieved on the date of SunEnergy’s Notice under clause 7.1.
7.2 Risk and Title
(a) Risk of loss or damage to the Goods will pass to the Owner upon installation of the Goods at the Premises or when the Owner otherwise takes possession of the Goods.
(b) The Owner remains liable to pay for the Goods notwithstanding any loss, damage or deterioration to the Goods which occurs after risk in the Goods passes to the Owner.
(c) Ownership of, and title to, the Goods passes to the owner only upon payment in full or on the Owners behalf of the Total Price Payable and any other amounts owed.
(d) Until payment in full of the Total Price Payable and any other amounts owed by the Owner:
(a) if the Goods are in the Owner’s possession, the Owner will hold the Goods as our trustee and the Owner must store the Goods so that they are clearly identifiable as our property;
(b) we may call for, and recover possession of, the Goods at any time; and
(c) the Owner grants SunEnergy a non-exclusive licence to enter onto the Premises in order to remove the Goods.
7.3 Time for Installation Completion
(a) The Owner shall extend the Date for Installation Completion where the System Installation has been delayed in reaching Installation Completion as a result of:
(i) a breach of the Contract or wilful acts or omissions by the Owner, its personnel or agents (Owner Breach);
(ii) inclement weather occurring at or around the Property; or
(iii) delays in stock procurement or other materials beyond SunEnergy’s control.
(b) Delays due to an Owner Breach shall entitle SunEnergy to reasonable delay costs payable within 5 business days of invoicing.