What Is a Solar Warranty? Understanding This Key Document

A solar panel warranty is a guarantee a solar panel manufacturer or solar panel installer gives a customer, offering protection for panel reliability and production output for a specified length of time. Warranties, though, with the fine print and all, can be confusing. 

Buying home solar panels is such an investment, you deserve to understand everything about your system, including warranties. Here’s what you need to know about warranty coverage, length, and benefits, and how to use your coverage to make sure you’re getting everything you expect from going solar. 

What's in the Average Solar Panel Warranty?

Most manufacturers offer a standard solar warranty on their products, but the coverage provided in these contracts can vary. By understanding the features and details of a solar panel warranty, and the period of coverage, you can determine the right solar power warranty for your needs.

Before committing to a manufacturer and system, you should read all of the fine print, including these details.

1. Solar panel performance warranty: Usually 25 years
2. Solar panel product warranty: Typically 5 or 10 years
3. Inverter warranty: Usually 5 years
4. Installation warranty: Typically 1 or 2 years, but up to 10 years in some cases

What Does a Solar Warranty Not Cover?

A few situations or items are not typically covered by most solar warranties:

• A guarantee of a specific amount of solar production from your system
• The labor costs to diagnose and replace equipment, or the shipping costs to get replacements on site
• Damage to solar panels due to power failure or surges, fire, flood, direct or indirect lightning strikes, or other acts of nature
• Damage caused by accidental breakage, explosions, vandalism, acts of war, or other events outside the manufacturer's control

Additionally, some warranties include labor costs, while others offer labor at a separate charge. If labor is not covered, you may need to pay your solar installer to get on your roof, remove the old panels, and install new equipment.

How to Compare Solar Panel Warranties

When examining the contents of a solar warranty, we recommend asking the following questions.

• What happens if something breaks?
• What time period is covered by the installation warranty?
• What is the average response time if I need work done?
• Can the warranty be transferred to another person if they buy my home?
• Is the warranty an additional or ongoing/recurring cost?
• Is there a limit on the number of warranty claims that can be made?
• Who is responsible for each system component?
• Do you offer a "replacement" warranty for inverters?
• Is there any warranty on the components you’ll use on your installation?
• What happens if my solar panel system doesn't produce the amount of energy specified in the proposal?
• What do I do if one or more of the manufacturers of my components goes out of business?

Performance Warranty vs. Product Warranty

There are two main types of solar warranties: a performance warranty and a product warranty. A performance warranty is a guarantee the total system output will not drop below a specified degradation percentage for a given period of time. A product warranty guarantees the solar panel's capability to produce energy, and it’s also known as a lifespan warranty.

What is a performance warranty?

A solar panel performance warranty guarantees a home solar panel installation will meet or exceed a baseline of electric power output over the panels' lifetime and warranty period.

Solar panel output production will naturally degrade during its lifespan, though typically not more than 10-20% over 25 years. A panel usually degrades in production 0.5%-1% a year. 

A performance warranty covers you if the panel’s production dropped below these figures within the specified time frame. If this occurred, most warranty providers will repair or replace the problematic panels.

Linear vs. step warranty

Most companies offer a linear warranty, which means the amount of guaranteed production decreases by a constant rate year-over-year. For example, it might be 98% the first year, then 97% the second year, then 96% the third year, and so on.

Some manufacturers offer a step warranty, where the amount of production is guaranteed to be above a certain level for a specific period, and then above a lower level for the remainder of that panel’s lifespan. For example, it might be 90% for the first 10 years of the panel’s life, and then it “steps down” to 80% for the remaining 15 years.

What is a product warranty?

A product warranty is often called a lifespan, equipment, or material warranty. The solar lifespan warranty covers the actual panels against defects, equipment failure, and environmental issues that may cause the panel to stop producing electricity. Most manufacturers give 10- to 12-year equipment warranties, and some premium warranties cover the full system for as long as 25 years.

Solar panels are designed to be very durable, but unexpected problems can occur. Typically, the product warranty will cover the cost of replacing one or more faulty panels with new panels for issues such as faulty wiring, corrosion, and premature wear. 

Combined product and performance warranties

Some solar panel manufacturers offer warranties that unite performance and product. Such warranties cover the degradation of key performance characteristics and guarantee the minimum performance level over the warranty period. 

What Is the Average Length of a Solar Panel Warranty?

A 25-year performance warranty is the industry standard for top-tier solar panel manufacturers. Material warranties can be shorter, and while 10 years is fairly typical, that number can vary by manufacturer.

Here is a breakdown of the warranties provided by four of the top solar manufacturers:

What Can Void a Solar Panel Warranty?

When using your solar panels, you must follow the terms and conditions of your sales contract. You may void your warranty if:

• You install the panels yourself.
• An unregistered contractor installs the solar panels.
• An unlicensed worker makes repairs to your system.
• The solar panels are repaired without the company's authorization.
• Tampering occurs without the company's knowledge.
• You hire a different company other than the original installer to do the repairs.
• The solar panels are subject to extreme chemical exposure.
• You fail to maintain your solar panels correctly.

For a more complete list, be sure to ask the sales representative from your solar installer for details about the specific causes and conditions that might nullify your product or performance warranty on your solar panels.

Making a Solar Warranty Claim

Making a warranty claim for your home solar system should be simple and, with the right company, you should have help and assistance along the way. 

The first step is figuring out which warranty the problem falls under and contacting the right party. The claim could be to the solar installation company, to a third-party warranty provider if you have one, or the manufacturer of a part or component. 

Next, you’ll likely need to collect and send documentation and details, including photos, to the warranty company. It can help to have this information lined up and ready to go, if possible, when you contact a company for the first time. Then, you should be able to file the claim. Keep copies, on paper or digitally, of everything you send as part of the claim. 

Then, you should monitor the claim status. If the claim is denied, it is worth knowing how to contact the company, submit more information, and resubmit a claim. 

Depending on the company you’re trying to make a claim with, the process may vary.

Solar Warranties From Top Companies

Solar panel companies offer their own warranty coverage. It’s important to understand the terms, time spans, coverage, and how claims and contacting the company will work before purchasing and installing. Here are examples of warranties from solar panel companies. 

• Canadian Solar - Canadian Solar has a 30-year performance warranty and a 12-year product warranty.
• Hyundai - Hyundai solar panels have a 25-year product warranty and a 25-year power output warranty. 
• Jinko - Jinko solar panels have a 12- or 25-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power output warranty. 
• Maxeon - Maxeon offers 40-year power, product, and service warranties. The power output of its panels is warrantied to be 88.3% of the original output in 40 years.
• Qcells - Qcells panels have a 12 to 25-year product warranty and a 25-year performance warranty. 
• REC - REC panels have a 20-year product warranty and a 25-year power warranty. REC offers an upgraded package with a 25-year labor, product, and power warranty. 
• Silfab - Silfab offers a 30-year linear performance warranty and a 25-year product warranty.

Does Homeowners Insurance Offer the Same Coverage as a Solar Warranty?

In most situations, solar panel installations are considered a permanent attachment to a home. Thus, homeowners insurance policies may provide some coverage, so you might not need a separate solar warranty for certain issues.

However, you should still determine whether your current homeowners’ insurance provides the right coverage and enough coverage. Homeowners’ insurance might cover against panel failure, but not against expected levels of performance, as one example.

You should compare the coverage offered by a separate solar power warranty against adding your solar panels to your current homeowner's policy. There may be gaps in coverage that make it necessary to buy additional coverage for maximum protection.

Is a Solar Panel Warranty Transferable?

A solar warranty is usually transferable to a new homeowner if you sell your home. You may need to take steps to ensure the transfer of the warranty goes smoothly. If you’re thinking of selling your home, contact your solar warranty provider to find out what’s needed.

If you lease your equipment, the warranty will usually be transferred to the new owner when they take over the lease. However, if you buy out the remainder of the lease before selling your home, the situation can be more complicated. We recommend you contact your solar lease warranty company to find out the specifics of what will happen.

The Benefits of a Solar Warranty

Is a solar warranty worth it? Will a solar warranty really help me? 

A solar warranty isn't like a short-term warranty for a new phone. A solar warranty should give you long-term security for a major investment. You should get:

Peace of mind: Alleviate concerns about costly repairs. 

Convenient help: Just make a call or send an email to request repairs.

Long-term cost-effectiveness: Reducing the long-term repair costs can lead to big savings.

Incentive to home buyers: More buyers want homes with solar panels already installed. A warranty ensures any unexpected problems will be covered.

Does a Solar Panel Warranty Cover Other Parts of My Solar Power System?

The typical solar power warranty covers most parts of the system, including inverters, racking, and other equipment:

• Most solar energy inverters have a 10- to 25-year warranty.
• Racking often comes with a 10- to 20-year warranty on material defects.

If you add solar storage to your system, most solar batteries come with a separate 5- to 10-year warranty.

However, you should always double-check with your manufacturer to confirm the specific terms of their coverage.

Go Solar With Confidence

Taking the time to research your warranty and become familiar with the different options can help make sure you’re covered if something happens. A few things to keep in mind:

• Solar panel warranties protect your investment.
• Panels typically come with a 25-year performance warranty. 
• Solar panels also come with a product warranty that typically lasts for 10 to 25 years.
• You should examine any warranty to know what is covered and what can void it.
• Warranties are cost-effective, can increase a home's resale value, and give you peace of mind.

In addition, you may also want to consider a protection plan like Palmetto Protect to complement the coverage provided by your warranty. With real-time energy monitoring, one-click customer support, comprehensive energy recommendations, and best-in-class service, your system can run at peak efficiency. For more information and an estimate on switching to clean solar power for your home, use our solar savings calculator. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a solar warranty?

Solar warranties are generally 20-25 years but some warranties are for up to 40 years. 

What do solar warranties cover?

Solar warranties cover different categories of a system. Performance warranties cover the power output of panels or a system. Product warranties cover parts and components from damage and faults. Installation warranties cover faults or errors in the installation of the system.

Do solar warranties cover maintenance?

Most solar warranties do not cover normal maintenance. Some companies include a maintenance package as part of a warranty or an additional coverage plan.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Palmetto does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors.

About the AuthorAndrew GiermakWriter and Editor

Andrew joined Palmetto in Charlotte in August 2024. He’s been a writer in journalism, then in business, going back to almost the 20th century. He’s lived in Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia again, and now North Carolina for the last 12 years. He likes golf. Is he good at it? Not so much.