A renewable energy firm based in Saintfield, Northern Ireland, has been fined over £1,500 after it claimed to be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Greenhouse N.I Renewable Energy Systems Ltd pleaded guilty to five offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs), at Downpatrick Magistrates' Court.

The firm was fined £1,515 and £80 court costs.

-- Advertisement --

An investigation was launched after a customer complained to the Trading Standards Service (TSS). The complainant was informed during a visit from the company that if she purchased a biomass boiler and had it installed she would receive a Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) of £2,500 from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Energy division.

The complainant later discovered that she would not be eligible for an RHPP as the firm was not a MCS certificated installer company.

Between the period January and July 2013, TSS received four more similar complaints from consumers.

The Greenhouse N.I Renewable Energy Systems Ltd later gained MCS certification in April 2013 however this was after installations had been carried out at the homes of the five complainants.

(CD/JP)