Citizens Advice responds to collapse of Solarplicity

Citizens Advice, in its role as the official consumer watchdog for energy, has responded to news that Solarplicity has ceased trading.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“Solarplicity customers can be reassured that their electricity and gas supply will continue as normal. Ofgem will appoint a new supplier who will be in touch in due course. Customers should take meter readings and avoid switching right now as they may risk losing any refunds they might be entitled to.

“Solarplicity is the 12th domestic energy company to collapse in the last two years. Our research shows these failed companies left behind £172 million in unpaid industry costs, which will likely be picked up by other consumers through higher bills.

“The collapse of these firms revealed a major gap in consumer protections. The administrators of failed firms have not been subject to the same debt collection rules as energy suppliers. The government must take action and fix this problem.”

Toto energy customers

Last month Toto Energy took over the accounts of a number of Solarplicity customers, those customers should be unaffected by today’s announcement.

Consumer advice contacts

Customers can find more information on Ofgem’s website. Customers unsure of their next steps can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06. Please note, this service operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Notes to editors

  1. £172 million figure from Citizens Advice report ‘ Picking up the Pieces ’ (June 2019)

  2. Citizens Advice includes the national charity; the network of independent local Citizens Advice charities across England and Wales; the Citizens Advice consumer service; and the Witness Service.

  3. Citizens Advice is the statutory consumer advocate for energy and post. We provide supplier performance information to consumers and policy analysis to decision makers.

  4. The Citizens Advice Witness Service provides free, independent support for prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court in England and Wales.

  5. Citizens Advice offers Pension Wise services at 500 locations in England and Wales.

  6. Citizens Advice’s services are free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to all regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

  7. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice, visit citizensadvice.org.uk

  8. For consumer advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 to talk in Welsh.

  9. We helped 2.6 million people face to face, by phone, email and webchat in 2017-18. For service statistics see our monthly publication Advice trends.

  10. Citizens Advice staff are supported by over 23,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 locations in England and Wales.