Servicing Your Solar Panels if the Manufacturer Goes Out of Business

Home solar is a competitive industry and it’s seen tons of changes and challenges. Companies can face financial problems, merge, or go out of business for one reason or another. 

But, home solar panels are built to last and work efficiently for 25 years or longer. So, it’s quite possible for new solar panels to outlive the manufacturing company that built them or the installation company that put them up.

If you’re a homeowner with solar panels, and you need service, maintenance, or new equipment, but the company you worked with no longer exists, where do you turn? We’ll look at your options, how to plan for the long-term health of your solar panels, and what to do if a solar company you worked with goes out of business.

What Happens if My Solar Manufacturer Goes Out of Business?

Not every solar company stays in business as long as their products and installations are still in use.

The good news is, if your solar equipment manufacturer goes out of business, your solar power system will continue to work as usual. Nothing will change immediately, but you may want to take some steps to protect yourself from potential issues in the future. 

If you need service or maintenance right away, it’s not going to be as simple as calling the manufacturer. You’ll need to connect with a solar service provider on your own, and you may pay more for the repair. 

Contacting a new solar service provider for your existing system can go easier, if:

• You have your system’s documentation and information.
• You have your warranty’s documentation and information.
• You choose a reputable, proven solar service provider.

Normally, the biggest problem if your solar manufacturer goes out of business is losing your warranty, unless another company purchases the assets and will honor the original warranty. Some manufacturers have insurance on their warranties that keep the solar warranty valid, even if the manufacturer goes out of business, but it’s best to assume your original manufacturer’s warranty won’t cover your solar support needs, and take steps to protect yourself.

How Can I Protect My Home’s Solar Equipment?

If you want to be proactive about protecting your home solar system, you can sign up for an O&M service package, purchase an extended solar warranty, insure your solar power, and find out if your equipment was manufactured by a warranty-insuring company.

Sign up for an operations and maintenance service package 

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) service packages come in different forms, but all serve the same purpose: to give you extra peace of mind. They are protection plans for your solar power system that help with regular check-ups, service, maintenance, and repair costs. You can think of them as a support team that comes to your aid when your system is underperforming due to equipment issues, environment changes, or other factors. O&M service packages can provide other benefits to homeowners with solar panel systems, including performance monitoring, cleaning, pest control, and equipment maintenance.

Purchase an extended warranty

An extended warranty adds long-term protection to a solar power system, providing additional years of coverage after a normal manufacturer warranty. A third-party warranty may cover solar equipment even if the manufacturer goes out of business and the original warranty is no longer valid.

Get insurance for your solar power installation 

Your equipment warranty usually covers things like manufacturing defects, but it won’t protect you against other damage, like a tree falling on your roof and breaking some panels. That’s where solar insurance provides added protection.

Some insurers offer plans for renewable energy and solar components and systems. Residential solar installations may be covered in a standard homeowner's policy, but in some cases, you may need to increase the amount of coverage on your home to account for the system's cost.

If your system isn’t attached to your home, such as a ground-mount system or solar panels on a carport, you may need an add-on or a separate policy to get coverage. And some homeowner policies may exclude damages to solar power systems if it’s caused by a particular threat, such as extreme wind, so make sure to review your coverage closely to verify what’s included.

Use a warranty-insuring manufacturer

If your panels were produced by a warranty-insuring manufacturer, that company is paying a third-party to make sure their warranties stay valid, even if they are no longer in business. 

What Service and Maintenance Do Solar Panels Need?

With no moving parts, solar power systems typically require little maintenance, with only an occasional light cleaning needed to keep dirt, debris, or leaves from blocking the sun. That said, solar maintenance may be necessary if you notice your energy output decreasing. If you think your solar panels need service, make sure to call a reputable solar expert for the job, since companies that offer solar service packages have the experience needed to get the job done right the first time.

Service and maintenance needs often covered by a service package include:

• Cleaning: If you live in areas with a high amount of dust or pollen, regular panel cleaning may be necessary.
• Inverter maintenance: Solar inverters generally have a shorter lifespan than solar panels and may need replacing during the lifespan of your system.
• Pest control: Rodents and birds may nest in or under solar power systems. This may  cause damage to your panels. A service package can help with pest removal and put preventative measures in place.

Solar power maintenance tips

There are a few things you can do yourself to maintain your solar power system and help prevent future issues:

• If you live in an area with a lot of rain, your panels will naturally stay clean on their own, but if the weather has been dry, rinsing your panels with a hose can remove dirt or pollen off the panels.
• Never use abrasive sponges, coarse materials, or harsh soaps on solar panels, as you may scratch the glass. 
• Use a long-handled wiper to clean the panels while standing on the ground. Getting on the roof to clean your panels is best left to professionals with proper safety equipment.
• Many inverters have a status indicator, so you can see if it’s showing the system is working correctly.
• Keep an eye on trees that may shade the panels, and get them trimmed back when necessary.

Monitor your system. This can help identify issues that lower your electricity output but don’t eliminate it completely. One easy way of doing that is with a solar data tracking dashboard like the Palmetto App.

What if I Want to Upgrade My Solar Power System?

You can upgrade your solar power system with new equipment even if the original manufacturer is out of business. A lot of solar equipment can work together, so if you want to add more panels, or you need a new inverter, it’s possible.

Just like when you need service for your system, when upgrading your solar equipment, it's important to work with a trusted solar company with experience working with a wide range of equipment. 

My System Isn't Working, the Company’s Gone, What Are My Options?

Finding out your solar equipment manufacturer is out of business can be troubling, especially if you need service. 

Starting with a reliable solar installer that uses top tier solar equipment is a good place to start. When you go solar with Palmetto, you can take advantage of Palmetto Protect and our widespread network of solar experts.  Use our solar savings calculator to see how much you could save.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do solar panels need to be replaced?

Solar panels have an expected lifespan of 25 years or longer. Solar panels can be expected to have 80% or higher efficiency at 25 years old, so should you have a system that reaches that age, you may decide to replace the old panels with the latest upgraded panels, or add panels to the array to regain the lost efficiency.

Do solar panels degrade or lose efficiency over time?

Yes, solar panels naturally lose generation capacity over the years. Efficiency of a solar panel is lost at a rate of about 0.3%-1.0% a year.