In April of 2025, Panasonic announced it would be discontinuing its residential solar panel and energy storage manufacturing business. Just five years ago, Panasonic was one of the largest and most commonly quoted panel brands in the industry.
The sudden decline of this once-popular brand highlights the importance of independent warranties with robust financial backing to ensure homeowners are protected in the long term. Solar Insure warranties are designed with long-term protection in mind, thanks to our Manufacturer Default Protection.
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Panasonic’s Decline
Panasonic first began production of solar panels in 1975, with mass production of the HIT series PV modules ramping up in 1997. Their Evervolt line of panels and battery storage hit the market in 2019.
In 2021, Panasonic announced it would cease in-house manufacturing of solar panels in favor of OEM partnerships.
According to EnergySage data, Panasonic’s solar panels held 35% of the quoted solar panels on the EnergySage marketplace in the first half of 2020. This steadily declined to only 6% in the second half of 2024. Over that same period, the Evervolt battery went from a 7% quote share to only 1%.
Panasonic notes that its exit from solar panel and battery manufacturing is a strategic decision that would allow it to focus on where it can provide the most value. This is important because Panasonic is not out of business entirely and will continue to honor warranties on their equipment.
What Does This Mean For Solar Insure Customers?
Homeowners and installers who own or have worked with Panasonic panels are concerned about what their departure from manufacturing means for them. But worry not, there is good news on that front.
First and foremost, Panasonic, as a company, is not out of business and has stated that it will honor all warranties for both installed and uninstalled systems.
For installers enrolling new systems, Panasonic equipment will be available as a selection in the dropdown on Daybreak until December 31st, 2025. After this “soft removal” phase, if a new Panasonic system needs to be enrolled, please contact your account manager.
If you’re looking for a high-quality module or battery option to utilize, consult the Solar Insure Approved Vendor List for options that are applicable with Solar Insure warranties.
Solar Insure Manufacturer Default Protection
Panasonic’s departure from solar manufacturing brings up a larger question about what protections are in place for consumers when a manufacturer goes out of business. All Solar Insure warranties are backed by Manufacturer Default Protection by Solar Insure and by an AM Best A+ rated insurance carrier.
When equipment fails and a manufacturer is no longer around to honor their warranties, those with the protection provided by SI-30 warranties are still able to get replacement equipment during the 30-year SI-30 warranty period.
If a piece of equipment fails, there are no changes to the experience of either the provider or the homeowner. Providers would submit a claim to Solar Insure as usual, and we would work to source new parts from the original manufacturer, providing reimbursements to the provider.
If the original manufacturer’s parts are no longer available, we will source “substantially similar” components, meaning components of equivalent performance, compatibility, and warranty terms. Any substantially similar component will come from the Solar Insure Approved Vendor List.
For solar providers, this ensures a seamless transition and a positive customer experience for their homeowners, allowing them to have new equipment and be up and running as soon as possible.
Peace of Mind
Manufacturers exiting the market are always a challenge, but Solar Insure strives to make market fluctuations as easy as possible for everyone involved. When solar installations are backed by Solar Insure, solar providers and solar homeowners get decades of peace of mind that they deserve.
Learn more about SI-30 warranties here: https://www.solarinsure.com/monitoring-warranty
