Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has today warned all Australians with solar systems to urgently check that they’re safe in order to avoid electrical tragedy.

The call follows a national audit of the Renewable Energy Target that found between 21 and 26 per cent of all rooftop units inspected since 2011 had faulty wiring and unsecured panels.

MEA CEO Malcolm Richards said that when it comes to electricity there is simply no substitute for safety.

“There has been a number of recalls so if you have a solar system installed at home check to see if it has been ruled unsafe by the national audit by visiting the ACCC website,” Mr Richards said.

“We know from past experiences such as the Home Insulation fiasco that safety must always be the number one priority when it comes to anything to do with electricity and we urge homeowners to take the time ensure that their solar units are safe.”

Mr Richards also said that Australian’s should be assured that the audit process has cleaned out the dodgy operators and that the safety issues stem from unqualified contractors and unscrupulous suppliers.

“While the figures contained in the audit are certainly concerning, the good thing is that it has cleaned out all the dodgy operators and Australians should know that the solar sector is now of a very high quality,” Mr Richards said.

“Homeowners considering getting a solar system installed either now or in the future can be assured that the contractor they engage is fully qualified and up to industry standards.

“MEA commends the audit process for purging dodgy operators from the sector and we applaud Minister Taylor’s unwavering commitment to electrical safety.”

Homeowners can check if their solar system is affected by visiting the Australian Competition and Consumer website at https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls?source=recalls.