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Compliance update

Battery labelling photos are now part of every SRES installation record

Installations from 1 March 2026 need clear photo evidence of critical battery labelling, in addition to the existing onsite verification record.

In forceIn force from 1 March 2026
Sources listedReviewed October 2026Our methodology

Update status

Authority
In force
Timing
In force from 1 March 2026
Jurisdiction
Australia
Evidence
Source checked
Reviewed
19 Oct 2026
Next review
19 Nov 2026

In force for every solar battery installed from 1 March 2026 where an SRES claim is made.

Field brief

What changed
Accredited battery installers must capture photo evidence of compliant critical labelling for every solar battery installation from 1 March 2026.
Why it matters
CER says missing required photos can delay processing or lead to an STC claim being rejected.
On the next job
Before leaving site, capture clear geotagged and timestamped photos of all critical labelling on the meter box, each switchboard and inside cover (including the shutdown procedures), and the battery front and sides.
Watch for
These photos are additional to the existing installer on-site verification evidence; retain the original files with their metadata intact.
Field diagramBattery labelling evidence passA field sequence for the new evidence set, not a labelling specification.

  1. Capture on site

    Take clear photos with geotag and timestamp metadata intact.

  2. Cover the evidence areas

    Meter box, each switchboard and inside cover with its shutdown procedures, then battery front and sides.

  3. Preserve the originals

    Keep the accepted image files intact for the compliance record.

Source23

What is now required

The requirement applies to every solar battery installed from 1 March 2026 by accredited battery installers for SRES claims.

Source1

The new evidence targets compliant critical labelling and sits beside the existing installer onsite verification photos.

Source13

What the photo set needs to cover

CER calls for clear, geotagged and timestamped photos of all critical labelling on the outside of the meter box(es), the switchboard(s) and inside cover(s) including the shutdown procedures, and the front and sides of the battery.

Source2

The detailed guide says original JPEG, PNG or HEIC files retain the required metadata; photos embedded in a PDF do not.

Source3

What happens if the evidence is missing

CER warns that missing required photos can delay or reject STC claim processing.

Source1

Provide the files with the compliance paperwork; they are additional to the ordinary onsite attendance record.

Source3

Put it to work

Correction log

  1. The switchboard photos now include the shutdown procedures CER requires, and cover every switchboard and inside cover rather than only the relevant ones.

    Source2

Official source ledger

  1. New solar battery photo requirements now in place

    Clean Energy Regulator · web page

    Source checked 19 Oct 2026 · Published 2 Mar 2026

  2. Solar battery installers and designers

    Clean Energy Regulator · web page

    Source checked 19 Oct 2026

  3. Solar battery photo guide

    Clean Energy Regulator · PDF guide

    Source checked 29 Aug 2026

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