SPF Economie Investigation Finds Over 90 Percent of Inspected Solar Panel and Heat Pump Installers Break Rules
Between April 2025 and March 2026, the Economic Inspection service of the SPF Economie conducted its first general investigation into solar panel and heat pump installers across Belgium, discovering that 133 out of 145 inspected companies—or 91.7 percent—violated consumer protection laws or commercial regulations, news.economie.fgov.be reported.
What the Economic Inspection Checked and Discovered
The widespread campaign targeted fundamental legal obligations including precontractual disclosures, statutory warranties, estimates, order forms, website transparency, registration in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, and consumer credit regulations. Out of 145 businesses subjected to official scrutiny, 133 presented at least one regulatory infraction. The vast majority of these violations triggered an official warning combined with regulatory explanations to push companies toward rapid compliance, according to news.economie.fgov.be.
Infractions concentrated heavily on paperwork and mandatory guarantees. More than 8 out of 10 targeted installers failed to comply with rules governing estimates and purchase orders, specifically regarding delivery timelines, work durations, seller signatures, and remaining balances. Investigators found that statutory warranty rules were widely misunderstood or ignored, with consumers frequently denied proper information about legal rights or subjected to restrictive contract clauses designed to limit statutory protections.
Conversely, compliance levels remained high in specific administrative domains. Few irregularities surfaced regarding business registration in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, consumer credit rules, or anti-money laundering provisions.
Why the Inspection Campaign Matters Now for Consumers
The enforcement sweep addresses vulnerabilities in a fast-growing renewable energy market where consumer trust dictates adoption rates. SPF Economie spokesperson Etienne Mignolet emphasized that the energy transition relies directly on consumer confidence, noting that regulatory oversight and proactive corporate guidance help build a transparent, reliable market. While 6 out of 10 inspected firms offered deposit-free payment options, upfront deposits remained common across the sector.
To mitigate risk, the agency advises consumers to compare competing offers, thoroughly examine estimates and contracts before signing, and keep complete transaction records. Buyers should also restrict deposit sizes and tie disbursements directly to construction milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions About the SPF Economie Solar and Heat Pump Crackdown
Which specific companies were inspected by the SPF Economie?
The enforcement body instead focused on publishing aggregate sector-wide compliance data gathered between April 2025 and March 2026.
What penalties did non-compliant installers face during the audit?
Most irregularities resulted in official warnings accompanied by detailed regulatory guidance rather than immediate financial penalties. Inspectors aimed to educate business owners on legal obligations concerning estimates, order forms, and statutory warranties to drive swift voluntary compliance.
How can consumers protect themselves against unfair contract terms?
Regulators recommend comparing multiple market offers, scrutinizing all precontractual paperwork and invoices, keeping every document related to the purchase, limiting advance payments, and structuring remaining disbursements around verifiable project milestones.
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