Don’t let panel “controllers” in. The Energy Regulatory Office issued an urgent announcement

The Energy Regulatory Office has published an urgent message regarding disturbing signals coming from all over Poland. The Energy Regulatory Office receives information about people presenting themselves as office workers who try to enter private properties under the pretext of allegedly inspecting photovoltaic installations. As the office emphasizes, these are attempts at extortion and fraud that every person who has solar panels should take into account.

The office does not carry out inspections

In the official announcement, the Energy Regulatory Office clearly explains that it does not carry out any inspections of photovoltaic installations in private homes. Such activities do not fall within the competence of the office, nor have they ever been performed by it before. Nevertheless, fake controllers use fake IDs and alleged authorizations, claiming that they are checking the operation of panels or their connection to the network. It also happens that they try to get the owners of the installations to sign documents, explaining it as a “data update”.

The Energy Regulatory Office reminds that as an energy market regulator, it supervises energy companies, sets tariffs and issues licenses, but does not conduct direct inspections of citizens. Inspections of legal micro-installations can be carried out by the distribution system operator, i.e. the company supplying energy in a given area – including: PGE, Enea, Tauron, Energa and Stoen.

However, such inspections are carried out in accordance with strictly defined rules resulting from the regulation of the Minister of Energy of December 15, 2016. They are always carried out by at least two DSO employees who have personal authorizations and official ID cards. Importantly, prosumers are informed about inspections in advance by letter, telephone or e-mail. DSO employees do not demand the signing of new contracts, do not charge any fees and do not ask for personal data.

Although false inspections are a real problem, the operator inspections themselves have their justification. Photovoltaic installations must meet certain technical and safety requirements. Improper operation of panels may lead to voltage fluctuations in the network, overload of transformers, and in extreme situations even a fire hazard. Many users are not aware that incorrectly connecting the installation may affect the functioning of the entire energy system.

How to recognize fraudsters?

To make it easier for prosumers to recognize fraudsters, the Energy Regulatory Office indicates the most important warning signals. A suspicious person should be exposed by the lack of prior announcement of the inspection, lack of personal authorization from the network operator, time pressure, requests for personal data or attempts to propose additional services. Public institutions do not charge any fees during inspections, which should also raise suspicions.

In the event of a visit by a person claiming to be a photovoltaic installation controller, the Energy Regulatory Office advises you to remain calm and careful. The owner should request documents, take down details and contact the distribution system operator to confirm whether the inspection is real. If the pseudo-controller begins to insist or behave aggressively, call the police on 112. The office also encourages you to inform your neighbors, because fraudsters often operate on several properties in a row, using the same method.

The Energy Regulatory Office emphasizes that quick reaction and caution of prosumers can help reduce the number of frauds related to the growing popularity of photovoltaics in Poland.