Macarthur Solar's underlying company, Macarthur Energy, has gone into liquidation, according to a report from liquidator Daniel Soire of Jones Partners. The company owes almost $3.4 million to more than 79 unsecured creditors, including former customers and suppliers, and more than $420,000 to 16 former employees in superannuation, annual leave and redundancy payments.
The ABC spoke to eight customers who fear they lost large deposits for solar and battery installations that never arrived. Among them is Murray Wylie, who paid a $5,000 deposit in February. After repeated reassurances from the company, he drove to Macarthur's south-west Sydney office in late August to find it locked and deserted. "I was angry because the thoughts that were building up had come true. I wasn't going to get my battery," he said. "You feel like you're being ripped off."
Mark Barnes paid a $6,500 deposit that he fears he will not get back. "We signed a contract in good faith and got nothing," he said. Mr Barnes, a retiree on a part-pension, has since paid another installer for solar panels and a battery, meaning he has paid twice.
The failed company was founded in 2015 by local electrician Mathew Cox. Many customers signed up after being attracted by the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP), a generous subsidy that has sparked unprecedented demand. Since July 2025, more than 530,000 batteries have been installed at an estimated cost of more than $7.2 billion over four years.
Macarthur's customers were charged 50 per cent up-front deposits, far above what is considered industry standard. New South Wales home building laws limit deposits to 10 per cent, and leading solar and consumer advocates say the higher deposits may have breached those laws. The state's Building Commission has confirmed it is investigating after receiving more than 100 complaints.
Andy Kelly, Choice's director of consumer impact, said the current system is absolutely failing consumers. Solar and consumer advocates say Macarthur Solar's collapse highlights glaring holes in protections for customers.