Understanding Your Solar Panel Warranty

Why Solar Warranties Matter

Solar panels are a 25- to 30-year investment, so the warranty backing them is critical. A strong warranty protects you against manufacturing defects, premature degradation, and unexpected failures. Understanding the different types of warranties helps you compare products and avoid costly surprises.

Types of Solar Panel Warranties

Product Warranty (Workmanship Warranty)

The product warranty covers manufacturing defects, material failures, and premature breakdowns. If your panel stops working due to a defective solder joint, delamination, cracked glass, or faulty junction box, the product warranty covers repair or replacement.

Industry standard: 12 to 15 years for most manufacturers. Premium brands like SunPower, REC, and Panasonic offer 25-year product warranties, and SunPower now offers 40 years.

Performance Warranty (Power Output Guarantee)

The performance warranty guarantees that your panels will produce a minimum percentage of their rated power output over time. All solar panels gradually lose efficiency, a process called degradation. The performance warranty sets a floor on how much degradation is acceptable.

Industry standard: Most manufacturers guarantee 80 to 85 percent of rated output at year 25. Premium brands guarantee 87 to 92 percent.

A typical performance warranty looks like this:

Year 1: No more than 2 percent degradation (98 percent of rated output)

Years 2-25: No more than 0.5 percent degradation per year

Year 25: At least 84.8 percent of rated output

Linear performance warranties, which guarantee a specific output level every single year rather than just at the end, are increasingly common and preferable because they protect you against accelerated degradation at any point during the warranty period.

Inverter Warranties

Your inverter is the component most likely to need replacement during the life of your solar system. Warranty coverage varies significantly by inverter type:

String Inverters

Central string inverters from companies like SolarEdge and SMA typically come with 12-year warranties, extendable to 20 or 25 years for an additional cost of $200 to $500. Since the inverter costs $1,500 to $2,500 to replace, the warranty extension is often worthwhile.

Microinverters

Enphase microinverters come with a standard 25-year warranty, matching the expected lifespan of the panels themselves. This is a significant advantage, as you never need to worry about replacing the inverter during the system's life.

Power Optimizers

SolarEdge power optimizers, which pair with a central inverter, carry a 25-year warranty. The central inverter itself has a 12-year warranty, extendable to 25 years.

Rooftop solar panel installation by certified team - Understanding Your Solar Panel Warranty

Installer Workmanship Warranty

Separate from equipment warranties, your solar installer should provide a workmanship warranty covering the quality of the installation itself. This covers issues like roof leaks at mounting points, faulty wiring, and improper panel placement.

What to look for: A minimum 10-year workmanship warranty. Top installers offer 15 to 25 years. Be wary of installers offering less than 10 years or no workmanship warranty at all.

Important consideration: An installer workmanship warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. Choose an established installer with a strong track record. If the company goes out of business, the warranty goes with it.

What Voids a Solar Panel Warranty

Understanding what can void your warranty prevents costly mistakes:

Unauthorized modifications: Having an unlicensed person add panels, rewire connections, or modify the system.

Improper cleaning: Using abrasive materials, high-pressure washers, or harsh chemicals on panels.

Physical damage: Impact from falling objects, walking on panels, or mishandling during non-professional maintenance.

Environmental exclusions: Some warranties exclude damage from events like hurricanes, earthquakes, or volcanic activity. Check your specific warranty language.

Improper installation: This is why choosing a manufacturer-certified installer matters. If panels are installed incorrectly and later fail, the manufacturer may deny the warranty claim.

Residential house with modern solar energy system - Understanding Your Solar Panel Warranty

How to File a Warranty Claim

Step 1: Document the Issue

Take photos and record the specific symptoms. Note which panels or components are affected, the dates you noticed the problem, and any monitoring data showing reduced performance.

Step 2: Contact the Right Party

For equipment defects, contact the panel or inverter manufacturer directly. For installation issues like roof leaks, contact your installer. Keep copies of your contract, invoices, and warranty documents.

Step 3: Manufacturer Assessment

The manufacturer may request monitoring data, ask for a site inspection, or have you perform basic troubleshooting. For performance warranty claims, they typically need production data compared to expected output for your location.

Step 4: Resolution

If your claim is approved, the manufacturer will ship replacement equipment. Labor costs for the replacement may or may not be covered, depending on the warranty terms. Some manufacturers cover labor; others cover only the equipment.

Warranty Comparison: Top Brands

|-------|-----------------|----------------------|------|

| REC | 25 years | 92% | Linear |

Rooftop solar panels reflecting sunlight - Understanding Your Solar Panel Warranty

Tips for Protecting Your Investment

Register your warranty: Many manufacturers require online registration within 30 to 90 days of installation. Do not skip this step.

Keep all documentation: Store your contract, invoices, warranty certificates, and installer information in a safe place. Digital copies are smart backups.

Monitor your system: Use your monitoring app to track daily production. A sudden drop in output could indicate a warrantable issue.

Schedule periodic inspections: Having a professional inspect your system every 3 to 5 years can catch issues before they become major problems.

Choose wisely upfront: Selecting panels and inverters with strong warranties from your initial purchase is far easier than dealing with problems later.

SmartEnergyUSA partners with installers who carry quality equipment from reputable manufacturers. Get a free quote and compare warranty terms alongside pricing and performance to make the best decision for your home.