Types of Solar Panel Warranties
A lot of household devices come with a standard guarantee that provides you with a complimentary replacement for a certain duration. Solar panels are safeguarded by various kinds of warranties, shielding you against numerous problems.
Product Warranty
If your solar panels stop working because of issues with the materials or how they were made, the warranty will cover the cost of replacing them without any charge. The length of the warranty can differ based on the manufacturer and the exact model, but it’s common for the solar sector to provide warranties lasting 10 years or more. The top warranties can last up to 25 years, and you can find them from top-tier companies such as SunPower and Q Cells.
At the very least, you should seek a warranty that protects you against the failure of your panels for at least a decade.
Power Warranty
Power warranties are also known as performance warranties, and they are offered with renewable energy equipment such as solar panels and wind turbines. Photovoltaic (PV) cells gradually lose performance, and this means the amount of electricity generated will decrease slightly each year. However, a power warranty ensures that this will happen at a very slow rate.
- Solar panel manufacturers specify a maximum degradation rate, and the power warranty covers you if they deteriorate faster.
- For example, if your manufacturer specifies a performance loss of 0.50% per year, and your solar panels start to lose 1% of their productivity per year, the performance guarantee comes into effect, and you get a replacement.
Power warranties are generally longer than product warranties, and most manufacturers offer 25 to 30 years. A high-quality panel loses around 2% to 3% productivity during the first year, and then less than 0.50% per year. This means the best solar panels can generate at least 85% of their initial electricity output after a 25-year period.
Ideally, you should look for a solar panel performance warranty with the following conditions:
- No more than 2% to 3% degradation during the first year
- No more than 0.50% degradation during the following years
- 25 to 30 year coverage against loss of productivity
Some solar manufacturers will guarantee a degradation rate as low as 0.25% per year, and a performance warranty period of up to 30 years.
Installation Warranty
Top solar providers provide homeowners with a warranty that is tailored to their needs.
The warranties from the solar panel manufacturers only safeguard you against problems concerning the panels themselves, like material flaws, poor workmanship, and a decrease in power generation.
However, the warranty for the entire solar system provides extra protection for all its parts, including racking and wiring.
Many solar companies focus solely on making panels and outsource the installation to licensed contractors. Yet, companies like Tesla also handle the installation process. In such instances, you might receive a comprehensive warranty that covers everything from the product to its performance and the installation itself.
The duration of solar system warranties can vary from five to 25 years. Typically, the most reliable warranties are obtained from installation firms certified by the solar panel manufacturers they work with. Additionally, solar panel makers who also do the installations can offer warranties that last for a long time.
What Is Not Covered by a Solar Panel Warranty?
Solar panel guarantees do not protect other parts of the system like inverters, mounting structures, and batteries. These parts come with their own warranty coverage, which usually lasts for less time than the solar panels’ warranties.
Solar batteries and inverters typically last for 10 to 12 years and usually come with a warranty of five years or more. The length of the warranty can vary by the brand. For instance, the Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem RESU are renowned for their home batteries, both of which are covered under a 10-year warranty.
Solar microinverters are installed on each individual solar panel rather than using a single central string inverter for the whole system. In this setup, some microinverters can last up to 25 years.
To summarize, solar panel guarantees usually do not protect against damage from misuse of the panels. Solar companies issue warranty documents with specific terms and conditions, and it’s important to thoroughly review them.
What To Look for in a Solar Panel Warranty
A strong warranty ensures you feel secure, safeguarding your solar investment and anticipated savings for the future. You can be confident that your electricity expenses will decrease during the warranty term, as defective panels are offered for no charge replacement. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to take into account several key elements when evaluating solar panel warranties.
1) There Are Different Types of Solar Warranties
As previously stated, the solar panels come without any stand-alone warranty. There’s a manufacturer’s warranty for any production flaws, along with a power warranty for the electricity output. You receive individual warranties for other parts of the system, like the solar inverter, which tend to have shorter terms compared to the solar panel warranty.
2) Ability To Transfer the Solar Panel Warranty
Solar panels and the various parts of a solar system come with extended guarantee periods, and you might choose to put your house on the market during this period. If you are in a position to, transferring the warranty to the new homeowner would be beneficial. This enhances the appeal of your home to prospective purchasers, as they are able to acquire a solar panel system that comes with a warranty.
3) Whether Labor Is Included With the Solar Panel Product Warranty
The warranty usually covers replacing solar panels that stop working because of issues with the materials or the way they were made. Still, the costs for fixing these panels might not be included. Look out for warranties that do include the costs for fixing them, up to a certain dollar value.
Keep in mind that the top solar panel installation companies usually provide warranties for the work they do. They usually take care of the labor expenses that the maker doesn’t pay for, but remember to check before you agree to the deal.
4) Warranty Exclusions and Limitations
Prices for solar panel systems often include warranties that protect you against a wide range of problems, yet it’s important to remember these warranties won’t protect you from all possible issues. For instance, numerous solar panel warranties fail to provide protection against severe weather and damage from external fires. In such instances, it might be wise to consider purchasing a separate homeowner’s insurance policy to safeguard your solar panels against risks not addressed by the manufacturer’s warranty.
The extent of protection offered by solar panel warranties can differ based on the manufacturer, so it’s crucial to thoroughly review the warranty documents before deciding on which brands of solar equipment to purchase.
How To Keep Your Warranty Valid
The best solar brands offer excellent warranties, but you are only covered when the panels are being used properly. The following are some common ways in which a solar panel warranty can be voided.
1) Installing Solar Panels on Your Own
Most companies that make solar panels only back their product if you have an expert install your PV system. Essentially, if you try to do it yourself, you’ll probably not be covered by the warranty, no matter how well you do with the installation of the panels.
Any changes you make to your home’s solar power system need to be done by pros as well. This involves increasing the size of your panel setup to produce more power, or installing a battery for solar energy storage at night. If you’re the one doing the work on the solar power system of your house, you’re likely to lose the warranty coverage.
2) Not Cleaning Your Solar Panels Properly
It’s important not to use rough or chemical substances to clean solar panels, as this could lead to damage that is not fixable under the manufacturer’s warranty. To prevent scratches, it’s best to use gentle tools like squeegees and soft-bristled brushes for cleaning.
Solar panels don’t need much care because they don’t contain any parts that could wear out due to motion. However, too much dirt can harm their warranty.
Most solar companies suggest cleaning the panels at the very least twice a year. Yet, more cleaning might be necessary in certain places.
For instance, if your panels are always in contact with sand or dust from construction, you might need to clean them more than twice a year.
3) Not Responding to Warning Signs of Panel Damage
If you see any damage to the solar panels, it’s important to notify the authorities immediately because the problem can worsen over time. Sometimes, a faulty solar panel can lead to additional damage that isn’t repaired under the warranty. There might also be instances where the warranty doesn’t cover the damage if the issue was ignored for an extended period.
Most solar inverters come equipped with a system that tracks energy production daily, allowing you to monitor kilowatt-hour output. This system can also identify problems that don’t manifest in obvious ways.
Solar panels tend to produce less energy during winter because of the shorter daylight hours. Additionally, expect reduced electricity output on days when the sky is overcast.
A drop in energy production on a sunny day is a clear indication that there’s an issue with the system. You should then reach out to the solar panel system installer for a check-up.
The Bottom Line
Solar panels come with a variety of warranties for their components. Top-quality panels come equipped with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty and a power warranty that can last from 25 to 30 years. Standard warranties for string inverters and solar batteries are around 10 to 12 years, while certain microinverters are protected for up to 25 years.
Leading solar companies provide their own installation guarantee, which can extend over 25 years. They also assist you in submitting warranty claims with the manufacturers they collaborate with. It’s essential to have your solar panels installed by experts, as most manufacturers won’t provide coverage for installations done by individuals.
A reliable warranty ensures you achieve the anticipated savings throughout their lifespan. The federal tax incentive returns you 30% of the system’s cost the following year, and a lengthy warranty guarantees you also recoup the remaining 70%.
