Solar Warranties: The Four Cover Types Explained
Panel product, panel performance, inverter, and workmanship. A 25-year headline number usually only refers to one of them.
- Four coversProduct, performance, inverter, workmanship
- The one to readWorkmanship — it is the installer's own
- Ask aboutRoof penetrations and replacement labour
- CheckIs it transferable on sale?
Four different warranties, four different lengths
“Twenty-five year warranty” on a solar advertisement almost always refers to just one of the four covers below — usually the panel performance warranty, which is the cheapest of the four to offer. Knowing which is which is the fastest way to tell a thorough quote from a thin one.
| Warranty | What it covers | Typical term | Who honours it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel product | Defects in the panel itself — delamination, junction box failure, frame corrosion | 25–30 years | Manufacturer |
| Panel performance | Guaranteed minimum output at a stated year, commonly 85–92% at year 25 | 25–30 years | Manufacturer |
| Inverter | The inverter, optimisers or microinverters | 10–12 yrs string; 25 yrs micro | Manufacturer |
| Workmanship | The installation itself — mounting, flashing, wiring, roof penetrations | 5–25 years, varies hugely | The installer |
The workmanship warranty is the one to read
The three manufacturer warranties are broadly standardised across the industry and they follow the equipment regardless of what happens to the company that installed it. The workmanship warranty is the opposite: it varies from five years to twenty-five, it is written by the installer, and it is only worth anything for as long as that installer exists.
Three questions to ask about it:
- Does it explicitly cover the roof penetrations? This is the clause that matters most and the one most often left ambiguous. A leak at a mount is a workmanship failure, and the warranty should say so in words.
- Does it cover labour to replace failed equipment? A manufacturer will send a replacement inverter under warranty. It will not send anyone to fit it. If the workmanship warranty does not cover that labour, a covered failure still costs you a service call.
- Is it transferable? If you sell the house, does the cover go with it? A non-transferable warranty is a small but real drag on resale.
The performance warranty, read properly
A typical modern performance warranty guarantees something like 98% of nameplate output at year one, then no more than 0.4% loss per year thereafter, ending around 88–92% at year twenty-five. Be aware what claiming it involves: you must demonstrate that output has fallen below the guaranteed curve, which in practice needs monitoring data and often an independent test. It is a real protection, not a marketing line — but it is not self-executing, and it is another argument for module-level monitoring.
Roof warranty interaction
If your roof is still under a manufacturer or roofer warranty, adding penetrations can affect it. Check before installing, not after. Some roofing warranties require the penetrations be made by a certified installer or with specified flashing. This matters most on newer tile and metal roofs in Rocklin, El Dorado Hills and Granite Bay.
What happens if the installer goes out of business?
Manufacturer warranties survive — they attach to the equipment. The workmanship warranty does not. That is not a reason to panic: we service and repair orphaned systems of any brand and can handle manufacturer claims on your behalf. But it is a strong argument for weighing an installer’s track record and local presence, not just the price.
Questions about industry-leading warranties
What is a good solar warranty package?
Twenty-five year panel product and performance cover, matching inverter cover where the architecture allows it, and a workmanship warranty of at least ten years that explicitly names roof penetrations and includes replacement labour. Anything shorter on workmanship deserves an explanation.
Does my solar warranty transfer if I sell the house?
Manufacturer warranties generally do, sometimes with a registration step. Workmanship warranties vary — some transfer freely, some once, some not at all. Get this answered in writing before you sign, because it is a question your eventual buyer will ask.
What is NOT covered by a solar warranty?
Typically: damage from extreme weather beyond design conditions, damage caused by others working on the roof, pest damage, theft or vandalism, cosmetic ageing, and anything arising from unauthorised modification. Weather and theft are usually a homeowner’s insurance matter — tell your insurer the system is there.
Do I need to register my warranty?
Some manufacturers require registration within a set period. We handle registration as part of commissioning and give you the documentation, but keep your own copy of the serial numbers and the commissioning report. If you ever sell, that folder is worth having.
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