What photo evidence does the CER require for solar battery installations in 2026?

From 1 March 2026, the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) requires clear photographic evidence for every solar battery installation claiming STCs under SRES. Required photos include: (1) the meter box showing a green ES label with UN3480 designation below it, (2) the switchboard showing a MULTIPLE MODE warning label and shutdown procedure label, (3) the battery installation showing required hazard signs (toxic fumes, battery explosion, arc flash), and (4) an installer selfie at the worksite. Photos must be geotagged and timestamped.

What is the ES label requirement for solar battery meter box compliance in Australia?

The ES label (Energy Storage label) must be a green circle affixed to or near the meter box. It must contain the letters 'ES' and have the UN3480 (Lithium Ion Battery) designation text displayed below the ES lettering. This is required under AS/NZS 5139 and CER photo evidence guidelines effective March 2026.

How do I pass a CER solar compliance audit?

To pass a CER solar compliance audit, ensure you have clear photos showing: correct ES and PV labels on the meter box, MULTIPLE MODE warning label and shutdown procedure label on the switchboard, required hazard signs near the battery system, and a clear installer selfie at the worksite. All photos must be geotagged and timestamped at time of installation. SolarLens AI™ can check your photos instantly before submission.

What Australian standards apply to solar battery installations?

Solar battery installations in Australia must comply with: AS/NZS 5139 (Safety requirements for battery systems for use with power conversion equipment), AS/NZS 5033 (Safety requirements for PV arrays), AS/NZS 4777.1 (Grid connection of energy systems via inverters), and AS 3000 (Wiring rules). Clean Energy Regulator (CER) photo evidence guidelines effective March 2026 also require specific photographic documentation.

Can I use AI to check my solar installation photos for CER compliance?

Yes. SolarLens AI™ uses Google Gemini AI to automatically analyse solar installation photos and verify them against CER 2026 photo evidence guidelines and AS/NZS standards. It detects ES labels, UN numbers, warning signs, hazard symbols, and produces a PASS/FAIL/WARNING verdict with detailed reasoning in under 30 seconds. See an example check at www.solarlensai.com/#demo.

Demo data. This dashboard is not connected to a backend, and the figures below are fixtures rather than real installations.

Audit Reports

Sample compliance history. CSV export works and uses the rows shown here.

Job #1041 — 24 Feb 2026

3 checks

FAILswitchboardIMG_2041_switchboard.jpg

The warning label is present and legible, stating 'WARNING MULTIPLE SUPPLIES ISOLATE ALL SUPPLIES BEFORE WORKING ON THIS SWITCHBOARD'. The text 'MULTIPLE SUPPLIES' fulfills the 'MULTIPLE MODE' requirement. However, the critical text 'NEUTRAL AND EARTH CIRCUITS MAY BE LIVE' or 'NEUTRAL AND EARTH' is entirely missing from the warning label, which is a compliance failure. A separate, legible shutdown procedure label is present below the warning label.

FAILmeter boxIMG_2042_meterbox.jpg

No circular green 'ES' label was detected in the image. The critical requirement for a green ES label with a UN number below it is not met.

PASSbattery signsIMG_2043_battery.jpg

Hazard signage is present on the battery enclosure and legible. Required text and pictograms are visible and unobstructed.

Job #1040 — 22 Feb 2026

2 checks

PASSmeter boxIMG_1988_meterbox.jpg

A circular green 'ES' label is present on the meter box. 'UN3480' is visible directly below the 'ES' lettering, satisfying the placement requirement. A green 'PV' label is also present.

WARNINGswitchboardIMG_1989_switchboard.jpg

Both the warning label and the shutdown procedure label are present. The shutdown procedure text is partially obscured by glare and could not be read in full, so legibility could not be confirmed from this photo. A re-shoot is recommended.