Warranties for Solar Panels: A Guide for Homeowners
Like your home appliances and cars, solar panels come with warranties to shield you from unexpected financial burdens and the hassle of dealing with defective equipment.
These warranties are a safety net – but they don’t cover everything. And certain actions might even void your coverage.
In this blog, we’ll break down solar panel warranties, covering their types, what to look for, how to file claims, and the key things you should avoid doing to keep your warranty valid.
Solar Panel Warranty Options
When looking into solar panel systems, there are a few key types of solar panel warranties you’ll want to understand before making a decision:
Product Warranty
Product warranty covers any defects in the materials or workmanship of the solar panels.
That means you’ll be covered for repairs or replacements if something goes wrong with the panels due to:
- Manufacturing defects, including flaws in materials or workmanship
- Panel failures caused by broken cells, damaged wiring, panel frame failures, etc.
This warranty type is provided by your solar panel manufacturer, and typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 25 years.
The following table highlights three solar panel brands known for offering strong product warranties:
Manufacturer | Warranty Duration | Additional Notes |
LG | 25 years | — |
Solar Edge | 15 years | Includes coverage for reasonable material and labor costs for repairs |
Tesla | 10 years | Includes related labor costs |
Performance Warranty
A performance warranty is another key type of warranty provided by solar panel manufacturers. This warranty guarantees that your solar panels will continue to produce a certain percentage of their original power output over time.
A common performance warranty might promise that the panels will still generate 80% of their rated capacity after 25 years of operation.
To put that in perspective, a solar panel that originally produces 300 watts of power might only produce 240 watts after 25 years, which is still a significant amount of power.
Solar panels naturally lose some of their efficiency as they age, but a good performance warranty will give you peace of mind knowing that if the panels degrade too quickly, you’ll be covered for repairs or replacements.
Here are the three solar panel brands featured earlier with their corresponding performance warranties:
Manufacturer | Performance Warranty |
LG | 87% capacity at year 25 |
Solar Edge | 80% capacity at year 25 |
Tesla | 80% capacity at year 25 |
Installation Warranty
An installation warranty covers work done during the installation process itself, including labor and workmanship. If anything goes wrong with the installation – such as leaks, roof damage, issues from poor connections – the warranty will address and cover repairs.
These warranties usually last 1 to 10 years and are typically * * offered by your solar installation company.
Going back to product warranties, you might see manufacturers offering coverage for up to 25 years. How does this relate to installation warranties? Well, to enjoy this benefit, you’ll need to select one of their certified partner solar installers to do the product installation.
Otherwise, if you choose an installer who isn’t certified, the installation warranty may be void, and you could be left with a shorter product warranty – perhaps only 15 years instead of 25.
Here are a few reputable solar installers known for providing solid workmanship warranties.
Solar Installer | Workmanship Warranty | Additional Notes |
Blue Raven Solar | 10 years | With cost-free repairs for 2 years |
Solar Wave | 25 years | — |
Solar Optimum | 25 years | — |
Important Factors When Looking for Solar Panel Warranties
When reviewing solar panel warranties, look into these key factors to ensure you’re getting the best coverage for your needs.
How Long the Warranty Lasts
You can expect the below to be typical warranty lengths:
- Product warranties: 10 to 25 years
- Performance warranties: 20 to 25 years (usually at 80% of original capacity)
- Installation warranties: 1 to 10 years
As mentioned earlier, shorter product warranties happen occasionally, especially when you choose a solar installer who isn’t certified by your panel’s manufacturer.
With these lengths in mind, you should be able to pause and carefully consider any offers that fall outside this range – especially those that seem too good to be true.
If you come across unusually long or short warranties, you’ll want to dig deeper and understand the fine print.
Warranty Coverage
In terms of material defects, your manufacturer warranty will usually cover issues like cracked glass, faulty soldering, and wiring damage.
On the other hand, your installation warranty takes care of problems related to the actual installation, such as improper mounting, roof penetrations, and so on.
So, when you encounter an issue, ask yourself first, is this an installation problem or a product problem? This should help you determine whether to call your manufacturer or installer.
Exclusions and Limitations
Not all types of damage are covered under a solar panel warranty. For instance, damage due to external or environmental factors, such as weather (e.g. flood, thunder, fire) and accidents are usually not included.
Beyond exclusions, there are other potential costs you might need to cover out of pocket, even if the warranty applies, such as:
- Truck rolls: You might have to pay for the service technician’s travel to inspect or fix your panels.
- Shipping fees: The warranty might cover the replacement panel or component, but leave you responsible for the shipping charges, which can add up depending on distance or weight.
- Labor: The warranty may cover the parts, but you might have to pay for the labor involved in repairing or replacing your system.
Warranty Transfer
In most cases, solar panel warranties are transferable via a warranty transfer.
This allows you to pass the warranty on your solar panels to the next homeowner, usually when you sell your house. This means the new owner gets the same coverage benefits for issues like defects or performance guarantees.
However, depending on the manufacturer or installer, a transfer fee may apply. So, it’s worth weighing your options especially if you intend to sell your house later on.
Warranty Extensions
In most cases, standard warranties are usually enough. But if you need additional coverage beyond the standard warranty period, see to it that your manufacturer or installer provides an option for warranty extension.
This, however, typically involves paying for an extra fee. So, you should carefully assess whether the extra years justify the added expense.
Warranty Support and Customer Service
A solid warranty is only as good as the company’s ability to back it up. Start by asking them key questions like, who do I contact for warranty claims? What are the typical timeframes for repairs or replacements? And how simple is the claims process?
To evaluate support quality, research the company’s reputation. Check reviews for feedback on their customer service and warranty claim responsiveness.
You can also protect yourself by maintaining proper documentation, like proof of purchase and warranty terms, as these are often required to initiate a claim.
Do I have to pay for a solar panel warranty?
All solar panels come with a warranty. When you purchase them or hire a solar installer, the product and performance warranties are usually built into the system’s price – so, no extra payment is required.
Additional payments only apply to aspects that may not be covered under the standard warranty, such as:
- Shipping fees
- Labor costs for repairs
- Truck rolls
- Warranty extensions
Where do I see the terms of my solar warranty?
You might want to review your solar warranty terms when dealing with repairs, checking coverage for defects, or transferring the warranty to a new homeowner…
The warranty terms are usually included in:
- Your purchase agreement or installation contract.
- The manufacturer’s documentation that comes with your solar panels.
- The installer’s service agreement (for workmanship warranties).
If you can’t find them, reach out to the manufacturer or installer for a copy.
How to File a Solar Panel Warranty Claim
Filing a warranty claim for your solar panels can vary depending on the manufacturer or installer, but here are the general steps you can expect to go through:
- Start by checking your warranty terms to see if the issue is covered.
- Contact your manufacturer or installer based on the nature of the issue.
- Provide necessary documentation, such as proof of purchase and maintenance records, as well as photos of any damage.
- Be prepared for an inspection. A technician may be sent to assess your panels for confirmation.
- Make follow-ups regularly to check the status of your claim.
What can void my solar warranty?
Your manufacturer or installer will typically specify the actions or circumstances that can void your solar panel warranty. The most common ones include the following:
Improper Installation
If you choose to install solar panels yourself – or have someone else install them – the warranty may not be valid, especially if installation is done incorrectly.
It is for this reason that manufacturers have solar installer partners – this ensures your solar panels are set up according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Damage From Severe Weather
Most solar panel warranties do not cover damage caused by severe weather events such as hurricanes, hailstorms, lightning strikes, or other uncontrollable forces of nature. In this case, it might be worth looking into your homeowner’s insurance as an alternative.
Unauthorized Repairs or Modifications
If you try to fix or modify any of your panel’s components DIY, the manufacturer may void your warranty. Why? Manufacturers can’t guarantee that the system will work properly if modifications are made outside of their specified guidelines.
Simplify Your Search for the Best Solar Installer
At Quote for Solar, we connect you with trusted solar installers who offer top-quality workmanship and reliable warranties.
Simply submit a single quote request, and we’ll forward it to three pre-screened installers in your area – so you get three competitive quotes at once.
Request a quote today, compare top installers, and start enjoying the benefits of solar energy!
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