The fine print

Terms and conditions

Freedom Energy Solutions NSW P/L ATF Barrit Family Trust, ABN 93 684 424 393, trading as Freedom Energy Solutions.

Please read carefully and indicate whether you accept the terms and conditions set out below before you sign your application. These terms and conditions will be part of your contract with us (the “Contract”). The commencement date of the Contract is the date you accept the offer by signing the Acceptance Document.

Key terms

The overall sale price is dependent on the Small Scale Technology Certificate (STC) value. If the STC value decreases by more than 15 to 20 percent in the period between the time of sale and installation, Freedom Energy Solutions reserves the right to adjust the sale price accordingly.
If there is any change to the RET Program, Freedom Energy Solutions reserves the right to adjust the price accordingly with the fluctuation of the STC price.
The total cost of the installation less the deposit paid is payable on the day of the installation, and all paperwork for final safety inspection and meter install will be processed then.
After installation, the customer agrees to sign over the STCs to Freedom Energy Solutions NSW P/L as Trustee for Freedom Energy Solutions NSW Trust or its nominated agent. If the customer wishes to retain the STCs, this can be facilitated but the customer will be required to pay the full price of the system at the time of installation.
The STC value of the system is based on the current RET Program from the Australian Federal Government. If the installation is outside the standard installation, Freedom Energy Solutions reserves the right to collect an extra charge, as detailed in the Price and Payment section below.
This Agreement is subject to a 10 day cooling off period from the point of contract, with a full refund available within this period.
This Agreement does not include the cost to purchase and install the new meter, nor any cost associated with reconfiguration of the new meter to accept solar, or a switchboard upgrade if required by your retailer or distributor.
Feed in tariffs and solar electricity buy back schemes are governed by State and Territory laws, and Freedom Energy Solutions accepts no responsibility if these laws change in any way affecting the system’s return on investment.
System performance fluctuates with varying environmental conditions, and system performance is affected by shading caused by nearby structures or objects. The Customer acknowledges that the calculated system power generation is an approximation.

Nature of contract

This Contract Document is a contract for sale and installation of the relevant system or systems at the address shown in the Offer. It is not a contract to install a system or to connect a system to the electricity grid.

Definitions

“Agreement” means a written agreement for the sale and purchase of Goods and Services to which these Terms and Conditions apply.
“Buyer” or “Customer” means the person or legal entity identified in the Seller’s Quotation.
“Contract” means the contract between the Buyer and the Seller for the Buyer to purchase, and the Seller to supply, Goods and Services in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.
“Completion” is the date when the Goods are installed at the Premises.
“Goods and Services” means the goods and or services described in an Order that is accepted by the Seller, and includes all goods or parts used in the installation in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
“Government” refers to the Australian, a State or a Local Government, or a Department, Agency, Authority or Office thereof.
“Installation” means installation of Goods, which can include solar energy and solar hot water, by the Seller at the Premises.
“Invoice” means any invoice for total work, or Progress Payment invoice for a portion of the work, outlined in the Seller’s Quotation.
“Latent Conditions” means conditions or attributes on, over or under the Premises, and any building, structure or improvement that forms part of the Premises, that could not have been ascertained by visual inspection.
“Order” means a request for Goods and Services in the Quotation, submitted by the Buyer to the Seller.
“Premises” means the land, building, structure or improvement where the Goods are to be installed or the Services performed by the Seller.
“Price” means the price for the Goods and Services stipulated in the Quotation.
“Quotation” means the Seller’s written quotation for the Goods and Services in the Buyer’s Quotation Request.
“Quotation Request” means a written or verbal request for Goods and Services by the Buyer to the Seller, for Goods and Services in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.
“Seller” means Freedom Energy Solutions and any authorised representative of the Seller.
“Force Majeure Event” includes but is not limited to act of God, war, fire, riot, strike, lockout, trade or industrial dispute, explosion, accident, flood, sabotage, or shortages of fuel, power, raw materials, labour or transportation, governmental intervention and laws, regulations, orders, requests or action, breakage or failure of machinery or apparatus, national defence requirements, latent conditions on or associated with the Premises, weather and the effects of weather, and delayed or incorrect instructions and data from the Buyer, or any other event beyond the reasonable control of the Seller.
“Terms and Conditions” means the terms and conditions in this document and any additional terms and conditions in the Quotation. Terms and Conditions are subject to change.

Purchase of solar goods

You agree to purchase the Goods as listed in the quote, subject to the terms set out. Freedom Energy Solutions agrees to sell you the Goods which you have selected, and install the Goods at the Premises, subject to the terms set out in this Contract.

Buyer acknowledgement

The Buyer acknowledges that the goods received will be reasonably fit for purpose as per manufacturer specifications and the Consumer Goods Act. Installation of the goods will be to the standard of the relevant electrical installations standard.

The Buyer acknowledges that, unless otherwise agreed in writing, all intellectual property rights attached to the Goods or Services are and will remain the property of the Seller, or its supplier where such rights are owned by that supplier.

The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that these terms and conditions are in full force and effect and are incorporated into every order.

The Buyer acknowledges that there may be charges from third parties, such as the electrical network owner, for the installation of meters and monitoring equipment. The charges for such equipment are not covered by Freedom Energy Solutions unless written into the issued quotation for goods and services by Freedom Energy Solutions to the client.

Price and payment

The total amount payable by the Customer to Freedom Energy Solutions is due before the day of install. Freedom Energy Solutions reserves the right to charge interest on any overdue payment due under the agreement with the Customer at a rate of 15 percent per annum, calculated on a daily basis.

Freedom Energy Solutions reserves the right to charge for additional items required for non standard installations. This may include but is not limited to:

Switchboard upgrades: circa $500 to $2500
Installation of RCD safety switches: circa $100 to $300 per unit
Raised frames: circa $100 per panel
Cathedral ceiling or excess conduit works: $250
Two storey installations: circa $150 to $800 depending on equipment requirements
Meter installation if required: circa $150 to $1000 per unit
Clip lock feet: $40 per panel

All prices stated above are plus GST.

If changes or extra works are required past the point of contract agreement and outside the 10 day cooling off period, all extra works will be outlined in writing to the client with their representative costs. Permission from the client will be gained prior to extra works being carried out.

Freedom Energy Solutions is not liable for any extra charges from third parties other than what is outlined in writing to the client in the contract between the two parties.

Payment plan

Finance options are available through independent third parties. The customer will be required to enter into a separate loan contract with the finance provider, subject to finance approval under standard lending and credit assessment criteria. Freedom Energy Solutions is not a party to the loan contract and bears no liability for any assessment outcomes.

Failure to pay

If you fail to pay any amount that is due and payable under this Contract, Freedom Energy Solutions reserves the right to charge interest on any overdue payment at a rate of 15 percent per annum, calculated on a daily basis. You also agree to pay Freedom Energy Solutions any costs associated with recovery of the unpaid amount, including but without limitation legal costs.

Cooling off period

This Agreement is subject to a cooling off period of 10 days. During the cooling off period, the Customer may give notice to the Seller of rescission of this Agreement. That notice must be in writing and delivered to the Seller, either in person or by prepaid post addressed to the Seller. Within the 10 day cooling off period the client is entitled to the refund of their full deposit with no charges.

Pre installation site inspection

The Customer expressly warrants that the Premises are suitable for the installation of the Goods. Freedom Energy Solutions is relying on your representations that the Premises are suitable for the installation of the Goods in completing and executing the Goods designer’s certificate in the Residential Application for Pre Approval.

Despite the above clause, Freedom Energy Solutions may conduct a site inspection of the Premises in order to confirm your representations, and in that regard:

You grant permission to Freedom Energy Solutions and our employees, contractors and agents to enter the Premises where the Goods are proposed to be installed and commissioned, at any reasonable time.
You agree to ensure you are present at the property for such site inspection, installation and commissioning, when and as reasonably required by Freedom Energy Solutions or our employees, agents and contractors.
Our inspection does not relieve you of your responsibility to ensure that your representations about suitability are correct.

Authority to install

You authorise Freedom Energy Solutions, and its employees, agents or contractors, to install the Goods which you have selected at the Premises.

If part of your Goods is a solar electricity system (solar PV), then you also authorise Freedom Energy Solutions, and its employees, agents or contractors, to arrange connection of that system to the electricity grid. Any additional costs associated with connecting the solar electricity system to the electricity grid in accordance with the above shall be the sole responsibility of you, and you agree to pay those additional costs to Freedom Energy Solutions or any third party as and when directed by Freedom Energy Solutions.

You warrant that you are the owner of the Premises and agree to produce any evidence of ownership upon request by Freedom Energy Solutions. You must ensure that Freedom Energy Solutions and its employees, agents and contractors have sufficient access to the Premises, at whatever times it or they may reasonably require, in order to install the Goods which you have selected.

You agree to execute whatever documents Freedom Energy Solutions may require, and to take whatever other action Freedom Energy Solutions may require, in order to permit the installation of the Goods you have selected and, in the case of solar electricity Goods, the connection of these Goods to the electricity grid.

You agree to ensure that Freedom Energy Solutions, and its employees, agents or contractors, are supplied with and are permitted access to all necessary utility services, such as electricity and water, to allow Freedom Energy Solutions to install the Goods at the Premises.

Delivery and installation

Freedom Energy Solutions will arrange for the system to be delivered and installed at the Customer’s home on the arranged installation date. Freedom Energy Solutions may need to change the Customer’s installation date in the following circumstances:

where there is a shortage of stock availability;
where there is a shortage of installer availability;
where there is inclement weather;
where the nature of the Customer’s residential property results in unanticipated installation factors or requires additional equipment necessary to install the system; or
any other circumstance reasonably requiring Freedom Energy Solutions to change the Customer’s installation date.

Freedom Energy Solutions will use its best endeavours to give reasonable notice to the Customer if the Customer’s installation date needs to be changed.

If the Customer’s switchboard does not comply with current safety standards or otherwise requires replacement or upgrade, the cost of replacement or upgrade is payable by the Customer.

If difficulties with site access are encountered that were not notified to Freedom Energy Solutions at the time of quote or offer, additional costs incurred in ensuring the safety of our installers may be payable by the Customer.

Freedom Energy Solutions will notify the Customer’s electricity distributor and electricity retailer of the installation of the Customer’s system. The Customer’s electricity meter will be replaced as required by the Customer’s electricity distributor. The cost of replacement of the electricity meter is payable by the Customer.

Ownership and risk

Ownership of the Goods will pass to you only upon payment in full of the purchase price for the Goods and any other amounts due and owing to Freedom Energy Solutions under this Contract. Risk in the Goods will pass to you when the Goods are delivered or installed at the Premises, and you agree to indemnify Freedom Energy Solutions against all loss and damage it suffers as a consequence of any and all losses consequent upon such delivery and installation.

Freedom Energy Solutions reserves the following rights in relation to the Goods provided to you until the full purchase price for those Goods and all other sums payable by you under this Contract are received by Freedom Energy Solutions:

legal ownership and title to the Goods;
to enter your Premises, without liability for trespass or any resulting damage, and retake possession of the Goods;
to keep or resell the Goods repossessed; and
to sue you for any loss or damage suffered by Freedom Energy Solutions for any loss or damage to its Goods.

You indemnify Freedom Energy Solutions against any claim arising from such entry by them into the Premises.

Access to the premises

You authorise Freedom Energy Solutions, its contractors, employees and installers, to have access to the property at times it reasonably requires. This access may include, but is not limited to, site inspections, the signing of required paperwork, the delivery and installation of the PV solar system, connection to the grid and one single subsequent inspection.

You understand that if you, or another authorised person, are not present at the time of installation and hence installation is not able to go ahead, then a fee of $200.00 (GST inclusive) will be charged and your new installation date will be moved to the end of the list. Freedom Energy Solutions reserves the right to consider extenuating circumstances.

If you are not the owner of the Premises: you represent that you have obtained the consent of the owner, or any agent of the owner, of the Premises for us to carry out all work and supply the product; you agree that you are liable to pay for the product even though you are not the owner; and you agree to indemnify us against all loss, costs or damage that we suffer, or which is claimed against us or our contractors, due to any breach of this clause by you.

Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 allows owners of eligible solar power systems to create Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs), or to assign their right to create STCs to persons registered with the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator. If the Customer has elected to assign their right to create STCs in respect of the system to Freedom Energy Solutions:

the Customer will receive a point of sale discount on the price payable by the Customer, which will be detailed on the Quote Acceptance Form; and
the Customer agrees to complete all such prescribed forms and perform all such actions to give effect to the assignment of STCs to Freedom Energy Solutions or its nominated agent.

The overall sales price is dependent on the Renewable Energy Credit value. Current Australian Government policy allows STCs to be created for each megawatt hour of eligible renewable energy generated, or deemed to have been generated, by certain systems that generate electricity, including the products purchased under this sales agreement.

STCs are traded on an open market and the price of STCs varies from time to time. After installation, the Customer agrees to assign the STCs to Freedom Energy Solutions. If the Customer wishes to retain the STCs this can be facilitated, but the Customer will be required to pay the full price of the system at the time of the installation.

If, as a result of the STC pricing, the cost to the Customer increases by an amount in excess of $500, the Customer shall be entitled to terminate the contract, in accordance with the Termination clause, and receive a full refund of deposits, on the condition that such termination occurs prior to installation.

Grid connection, meter installation and solar buy back

This Agreement does not include the cost to purchase and install the new meter, which will be charged to you by a private meter contractor, or your energy retailer in some states, following installation of the solar system.

You understand that although Freedom Energy Solutions may assist in arranging connection to the main grid and meter installation, the agreement to undertake this connection is between you and your energy retailer or distributor. Any electrical work required to bring your building’s wiring or switchboard up to code (AS3000) is not part of this Agreement and will be payable by the Customer. This includes shoebox meters in the ACT.

You understand that different energy retailers and distributors have different rules, requirements and rates in regard to what they will pay you for the solar electricity you generate. You may need to switch energy retailers in order to receive the solar electricity buy back (feed in tariff).

Freedom Energy Solutions accepts no responsibility if the Customer does not receive the solar buy back. Please check with your retailer as to whether they provide the solar buy back in your area, and for any special related conditions. Feed in tariffs and solar electricity buy back schemes are governed by State and Territory laws, and Freedom Energy Solutions accepts no responsibility if these laws change in any way affecting the system’s return on investment.

Termination

Freedom Energy Solutions may terminate this Contract in the event that you fail to comply with any term of this Contract or any of the contract documents. If this Contract is terminated before Freedom Energy Solutions has received payment in full of the purchase price for the Goods, then Freedom Energy Solutions will be entitled to:

remove the Goods from the Premises, or from any other place that you have relocated them to or authorised them to be relocated to;
enter onto the Premises, or any property where the Goods have been relocated, for the purposes stated above; and
undertake any works necessary to remove the Goods.

If Freedom Energy Solutions terminates this Contract because you have failed to comply with any term of this Contract, you agree to pay any costs associated with the removal of the Goods from the Premises or any other place, including any damage resulting from that removal, and any costs associated with recovering possession of the Goods, including but without limitation legal costs.

You may elect to terminate this Contract other than in accordance with this section at any time prior to Freedom Energy Solutions ordering the Goods from a supplier and installation of the Goods at the Premises, in which case you agree to forfeit your deposit and any other amount paid to Freedom Energy Solutions.

Installation warranties

Freedom Energy Solutions warrants that the installer of the Goods will be suitably qualified and experienced, will be duly licensed or registered, and accredited for installation of solar electricity goods by the Clean Energy Council (or another relevant body).

Freedom Energy Solutions warrants that, if and when the Goods are installed, the installation will comply with all relevant Australian standards or, where they do not exist, with the relevant international standard.

No responsibility is accepted by Freedom Energy Solutions, nor does the work quoted include any costs or liability, in relation to the replacement, repair or suitability of existing plumbing fittings, flue, piping, floor coverings, wiring, roofing or any other household effect.

Exclusions and limitations: although reasonable care is taken with the installation of the Goods, no responsibility can be accepted for components, materials and workmanship supplied by you, or if the Goods are used or dealt with in any way which is not usual. Responsibility will not be accepted for equipment loss or damage due to any or all of the following:

storm or tempest;
atmospheric electrical discharges;
flooding or water damage, however caused;
lack of, or improper, maintenance;
unauthorised repair, modification or additions;
connection of equipment not in compliance with specifications;
faulty operation of customer supplied power generating equipment; and
goods loading in excess of specified capacities, or force majeure.

Except as required by law, all implied conditions and warranties are excluded, subject to those conditions and warranties necessarily implied under the Trade Practices Act or any other Act. The Customer’s sole and exclusive remedy for any damage, whether direct, indirect, special, consequential or contingent, shall, at the Freedom Energy Solutions option, be limited to the following:

in the case of goods: the replacement of the goods or supply of equivalent goods, the repair of goods, or the payment of the cost of replacing or repairing equivalent goods;
in the case of services: the supply of the services again, or the payment of the cost of having the services supplied again.

Product warranties

The product warranties are outlined in the respective product specifications brochure available from Freedom Energy Solutions. The installation warranty is available from Freedom Energy Solutions for a period of five years from the date of installation.

Freedom Energy Solutions advises that it knows of no changes to the product warranties or installation warranty as at the date of signing this document, and you agree to accept as notice of any change, amendment or addition the publication by Freedom Energy Solutions on its website of any amendment, addition or alteration from time to time, which may be notified to Freedom Energy Solutions by the manufacturer or supplier of the Goods.

Freedom Energy Solutions reserves the right to supply components for any components of the Goods from alternative manufacturers, as long as they are of equal or better product performance criteria and product warranty criteria.

Disclaimer regarding performance

We guarantee that the energy output, measured over a two year rolling period, of your Freedom Energy Solutions PV solar system will meet or beat the estimated yield (the Performance Guarantee). If it does not do so, you are entitled to compensation to put you in the position you would have been in if the output of the system had met the Performance Guarantee. In every circumstance, and where possible, Freedom Energy Solutions will use best endeavours to install the product to optimal orientation and exposure to direct sunlight.

You are not entitled to a remedy when your solar system does not meet the Performance Guarantee due to something:

you or someone else did or failed to do, excluding Freedom Energy Solutions agents or employees; or
beyond human control that happened after the system was installed at your premises.

Examples may include where:

someone other than a Freedom Energy Solutions installer, contractor or other authorised representative installed, removed, reinstalled, repaired or modified the system;
you have failed to keep vegetation trimmed so that the system receives as much sunlight as it did when it was installed by us; or
abnormal weather conditions occur which reduce the expected amount of sunlight being received by your system.

Freedom Energy Solutions acknowledges that some houses may not have optimum positioning for the product, and acknowledges that customers may still want the product installed with the understanding that performance may be compromised in certain situations. You acknowledge that performance may be compromised if the product, including positioning of components on rooftops, is not ideal, and accept that the performance may not be as per the manufacturer’s specifications.

If we determine that there is a problem with your system but the problem is not a “major failure”, as defined in the Australian Consumer Law, and is capable of being remedied, you must provide us with an opportunity to remedy the problem free of charge within a reasonable time.

If we determine that there is a problem with your system and the problem is a “major failure” or is not capable of being remedied, you are entitled to a choice of remedies in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law.

Exclusion of warranties and liability

Freedom Energy Solutions does not make any representations or warranties to you in connection with the Goods, beyond the express terms of the manufacturer’s or supplier’s warranties set out in this Contract and those warranties which cannot be excluded from this Contract.

Freedom Energy Solutions liability for breach of any express or implied condition or warranty, other than a condition or warranty implied by section 69 of the Trade Practices Act 1975 (Commonwealth), is limited to the replacement or repair of the relevant solar Goods, provided you have satisfied the warranty requirements.

Subject to the preceding paragraph, to the maximum extent permitted by law, Freedom Energy Solutions will have no liability to you for any compensation for breach of this Contract other than as is set out in the preceding paragraph. You acknowledge this Contract contains the whole of the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties.

You indemnify, and agree to keep indemnified, Freedom Energy Solutions, its workmen and agents, from and against all claims, demands, actions and proceedings of any kind whatsoever made or brought against Freedom Energy Solutions by any person or corporation whatsoever arising out of any act or omission on the part of Freedom Energy Solutions in or about, or the performance or purported performance by Freedom Energy Solutions of, its obligations under this Contract.

We do not take responsibility for any electric signal interference, including TV and radio.

Force majeure

In the event of a force majeure event, Freedom Energy Solutions shall be entitled either to rescind the Contract, without being liable for damages, or to extend delivery or time for performance by a reasonable period of not less than the duration of such event, and all liability under any contract, including liability for damage whether specified or otherwise, shall be modified or adjusted accordingly.

GST

If and to the extent that any payment or other consideration to be made or furnished by Freedom Energy Solutions to a person other than you, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, may be increased or added to by reference to, or as a result of any increase in the rate of, any GST for which Freedom Energy Solutions is not entitled to receive and retain an input tax credit, as defined in A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999, you shall pay to Freedom Energy Solutions on demand an amount equal to that increase or the value of that addition within 7 days of receipt of an invoice or other written request for payment by Freedom Energy Solutions.

Information and privacy

You agree to provide Freedom Energy Solutions with whatever information it may require from you in order to apply for any grant, rebate or other benefit which you may be entitled to receive from the Commonwealth or State Government.

The information collected by Freedom Energy Solutions may include personal information within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth). You are entitled to access this information by contacting Freedom Energy Solutions at the address shown in this Contract.

Freedom Energy Solutions will collect information from you for the purposes of applying for the grant, rebate or other benefit on your behalf and, accordingly, may disclose that information to the relevant government authorities.

Freedom Energy Solutions may also use any personal information collected from you for the purposes of sending you marketing and promotional materials, unless you notify Freedom Energy Solutions that you do not wish to receive marketing or promotional materials. See our privacy policy for more detail.

Miscellaneous

This contract document sets out the entire agreement between you and Freedom Energy Solutions and supersedes any representations or promises made by Freedom Energy Solutions, its employees or agents, whether prior to or after the commencement date of this Contract.

This Contract shall only be varied by written agreement prepared with the same degree of formality as this Contract. To the extent permitted by law, all implied terms are excluded.

Any performance of an obligation by Freedom Energy Solutions under this Contract following a breach by you shall not be deemed a waiver of the said breach, or otherwise affect any right that Freedom Energy Solutions has, or any action that we may take, with respect to that breach. No delay in the exercise of any right held by Freedom Energy Solutions shall be deemed a waiver of those rights.

Any notices to be provided under this Contract shall be in writing and forwarded to Freedom Energy Solutions at its business address, or to the Customer at the Premises, as the case may be, and shall be deemed to be received by the intended recipient within 3 business days of postage, or upon personal hand delivery.

In this Contract, a reference to any legislation is a reference to that legislation, and any legislation that repeals or replaces it, as in force from time to time. This Contract is governed by the laws of the State in which the Premises are located. If anything in this Contract is unenforceable, illegal or void, then it is severed and the rest of this Contract remains in force.

Acknowledgements by customer

The Customer affirms they have read, understood and agree to these terms and conditions.

The Customer affirms that all information provided to Freedom Energy Solutions is true and accurate. Any false or incorrect information provided to Freedom Energy Solutions which leads to any losses or damages may be indemnified at the Customer’s expense.

The Customer acknowledges that system performance fluctuates with varying environmental conditions, and system performance is affected by shading caused by nearby structures or objects. The Customer acknowledges that the calculated system power generation is an approximation.