Think of the photo set as a checklist of questions an assessor will ask: is there a system, is it at this address, are these the serial numbers we were told, and was it installed safely. Each photo answers one of them.
The checklist
| Photo | What it proves |
|---|---|
| Whole array on the roof | The panels are installed, and the count matches the claim |
| Panel serial numbers | The exact panels, checked against the CEC approved list |
| Inverter and serial label | The inverter model and its location |
| Switchboard and isolators | The circuit, protection and a safe connection |
| Address context | The system is at the claimed property |
Serials are the usual sticking point. Panel serial numbers are often photographed in bulk, so check that each label is legible and that the list you enter matches the images. The photo requirements guide shows examples.
Timing and quality
Take photos during and straight after installation, not later from memory. Keep metadata switched on, avoid heavy shadow and glare, and frame labels fully. If the roof is steep or access is awkward, take wider shots first so the context is clear, then close-ups.
Batteries and hot water are different
Battery and hot water jobs have their own photo sets. Batteries, in particular, have new evidence rules from 1 March 2026; see the battery photo guide for that list.
What this means for installers
A tidy photo set means fewer questions, faster clearing and a calmer audit. Our compliance desk checks each set before lodgement and tells you exactly what to fix. Read the resources hub for checklists, see how it works for the claim path, or compare timing in how long STC payment takes.
One last habit worth building is a second-person check. Have a colleague, or your trader, look at the set before lodgement. Fresh eyes spot the cut-off label or the missing switchboard shot that the person who took the photos has stopped seeing, and the cost of that check is a few minutes against days of delay.
If you are training a new apprentice, give them a laminated card with the five items above and let them tick each one before they leave the roof. It sounds basic, and it works because the failures are rarely about knowledge. They are about forgetting one shot when the weather turns or the customer comes outside to ask a question.