VEET Scheme Update \| VEU Sch 34 \| Building Based (BB) Lighting Upgrades \| Additional Photos Required \| 6 Oct 2018

About this update

This dated government-scheme update is preserved as a historical record and connected to current scheme guidance.

Publication date: October 8, 2018.

Status note: Rules, methods, product requirements, regulators and certificate markets can change after publication. The current legislation, regulator guidance and method documents prevail.

What this article reported

VEU Schedule 34 - New baseline photos required - Effective October 6, 2018

From October 6, 2018. APs undertaking activities under Schedule 34 - Building Based lighting upgrades must provide the following three additional pieces of evidence:

Wattly is in the process of releasing a new version of the app that will request these additional photos. These additional requirements have come about due to increasing concerns about over claims or ineligible claims.

More details can be found in the Information Bulletin and in the ESC explanatory note for commercial lighting.

How to use this information now

Confirm the activity or method, effective dates, accreditation and product rules, baseline, evidence, audit and registration timing before procurement or implementation. Historical certificate values are not current quotes.

Separate source-reported facts from forecasts, targets and commentary. For a current project, retain the official source, version, effective date, assumptions and decision record in the evidence file.

What is VEET Schedule 34 and why did it require updates in October 2018?

VEET Schedule 34 covers Building Based (BB) Lighting Upgrades under the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target scheme. The October 6, 2018 update introduced additional photo evidence requirements to address increasing concerns about over claims or ineligible claims. Accredited Persons must now provide geo-tagged photographs documenting existing lighting arrangements before removal and upgraded lighting after installation, with specified coverage percentages. This tightened evidence standard aims to strengthen the scheme's integrity and ensure only genuinely eligible lighting improvements generate certificates.

What photographic evidence must Accredited Persons now provide for Schedule 34 lighting upgrades?

Three types of geo-tagged photographs are required: (1) photos of each upgraded space type showing at least 75% of existing lighting equipment before removal from its original position; (2) photos of each upgraded space type showing at least 50% of upgraded lighting equipment after installation; and (3) for high-bay product replacements, a close-up photo of at least one existing high-bay product per upgrade space type before removal. These requirements became effective October 6, 2018, and documentation standards have become more rigorous to prevent ineligible claims.

How do the different photo coverage percentages (75% and 50%) apply to Schedule 34 evidence?

The 75% coverage requirement applies to before-removal photographs of existing lighting equipment, requiring documentation of a substantial portion of the original installation. The 50% coverage for after-installation photos of upgraded lighting is proportionally lower, reflecting the practical challenges of photographing completed installations. Both percentages must be met for each upgraded space type, and geo-tagging ensures location verification. This differentiation between baseline and post-upgrade documentation reflects different evidence standards for demonstrating what was replaced versus what was installed.

What is the significance of geo-tagging in the Schedule 34 photographic requirements?

Geo-tagging embeds location data into photographs, creating an auditable record that proves images were taken at the actual project site rather than elsewhere. This addresses scheme integrity concerns by making it difficult to submit photographs from other locations or generic lighting installations. Combined with the specified coverage percentages, geo-tagging provides verifiable evidence that the photographed equipment matches the nominated project scope. For Accredited Persons managing multiple lighting upgrade projects, maintaining consistent geo-tagged documentation ensures compliance and supports rapid scheme audits.

How does the Schedule 34 update specifically address high-bay lighting replacements?

High-bay product replacements trigger an additional requirement: a close-up geo-tagged photograph of at least one existing high-bay product per upgrade space type, taken before removal. This targeted evidence requirement recognizes that high-bay installations require specific documentation because the equipment type, wattage and technical specifications directly determine certificate eligibility. The close-up format allows auditors to verify product identity and baseline condition, supporting the integrity of savings claims for these typically high-energy-impact installations.

How did the Wattly app respond to the Schedule 34 photographic requirements?

Wattly released a new app version to accommodate the additional photographic requirements introduced by the October 2018 Schedule 34 update. The updated app requests the geo-tagged photographs mandated under the new rules, streamlining evidence collection for field installers and Accredited Persons. This tool adaptation enables practitioners to capture compliant evidence in real-time during site inspections and lighting upgeries, reducing delays and errors in the documentation process and supporting timely certificate creation.

What should Accredited Persons understand about evidence timing for Schedule 34 upgrades?

Evidence collection timing is critical: baseline photographs must be taken before existing equipment is removed, while post-upgrade photos are taken after installation. This sequence creates a clear documentary record of the change. The October 6, 2018 effective date means projects completed after that date must meet the enhanced photographic standards; earlier projects may not. Accredited Persons should confirm project commissioning dates against the effective date, as the evidence requirements applicable at implementation time govern eligibility.

Where can Accredited Persons find detailed guidance on Schedule 34 compliance?

Detailed guidance is available in the Information Bulletin and the Energy Savings Certificate (ESC) explanatory note for commercial lighting, both published in connection with the October 2018 update. These documents provide activity-specific interpretation of the photographic requirements and clarify how the 75% and 50% coverage percentages apply to different space types. Victorian Energy Upgrades requirements vary by activity and date; practitioners should consult the official ESC guidance for the definitive technical requirements under Schedule 34.

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