Understanding Solar Warranties
This hub explains what each type of solar warranty covers, how they compare, and what to look for so
you don't end up paying for repairs out of pocket decades from now.
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First three steps to check on your solar warranty
Whether you're shopping for solar, just got installed, or already have a system, start here.
Identify which warranties you have
Pull your paperwork and note the manufacturer's warranty (panels, inverter, battery), the workmanship warranty from your installer, and any independent warranties, such as Solar Insure.
Confirm what each warranty covers
Manufacturer warranties usually cover the part but not labor. Workmanship warranties cover the installation but disappear if the installer closes. An independent warranty can cover what's left, like parts and labor.
Check how long the coverage lasts
Solar energy systems are designed to run 25–30 years. A warranty that ends at year 10 leaves the most expensive half of the system's life uncovered. Match your warranty term to your system's design life.
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The essential guide to understanding solar warranties
The full breakdown: the three types of warranties every solar system carries, what each covers, what's typically missing, and what to look for to make sure your system stays protected for the full 25 to 30 years it's designed to operate.
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Explore Resources & Guides
Explore the overviews below with links to our in-depth articles and guides.
Types of Solar Warranties
Types of Warranties
Manufacturer, workmanship, and independent. Each covers something different. Understanding the distinction is the first step toward knowing whether your system is actually protected.
➜ Essential guide to solar warranties
➜ Workmanship warranties explained
➜ Lifetime solar warranties
➜ The 3 tiers of solar warranties
➜ Foundation of our 30-year warranty
What Coverage Includes
Getting your system serviced
Parts, labor, and the diagnostic visit are the three pieces that matter. Most warranties cover one or two of them. Knowing which is which prevents surprise bills when something breaks.
➜ Warranty Comparison
➜ Why you need a solar warranty
➜ Manufacturer bankruptcy protection
➜ Pros and cons of a solar warranty
➜ When an installer goes out of business
Battery & Storage Warranties
Coverage for batteries and storage
Batteries are the highest-failure-rate component in a solar system. Battery warranties also expire faster than panel warranties, which is why they need their own coverage strategy.
➜ SI-30 Battery Overview
➜ Solar battery warranties compared
➜ Battery warranty calculator
➜ What makes a great battery warranty
➜ SI-30 Battery Approved Vendors
Commercial Solar Warranties
Coverage for commercial solar systems
Commercial systems run on different equipment and different economics. SI-Commercial covers panels for 30 years and inverters for 20 years, including parts, labor, and manufacturer default coverage.
➜ SI-Commercial overview
➜ Is your commercial investment protected?
➜ Commercial: A CFO's favorite line item
➜ Solar Insure launches SI-Commercial
➜ Commercial approved vendors
Service & Maintenance
Filing a claim and getting service
AA warranty is only as good as how easy it is to use. These guides walk through how to file a claim, what documents to have ready, and how Solar Insure works.
➜ Realistic solar maintenance costs
➜ How much maintenance do solar systems require
➜ The ultimate solar panel maintenance checklist
➜ SolarDetect: a solution for homeowners
Frequently Asked Questions
Common solar warranty questions
A solar warranty is a coverage agreement that covers repairs or replacements when components of a solar system fail. Standard manufacturer warranties typically cover only the equipment. An independent solar warranty, such as Solar Insure SI-30, covers parts, labor, and a diagnostic visit when a defect is confirmed.
It depends on the type. Manufacturer warranties cover the part itself. Workmanship warranties cover installation quality. An independent solar warranty like SI-30 covers parts, labor, and the diagnostic truck roll, which is where most of the repair cost lives.
Manufacturer warranties typically run 10 to 25 years depending on the equipment. Workmanship warranties vary by installer. Solar Insure SI-30 runs 30 years for residential, matching the design life of a solar system. SI-Commercial provides 30 years on panels and 20 on inverters.
For most homeowners, yes. Manufacturer warranties cover the part but not the labor or the diagnostic visit. An independent solar warranty like SI-30 covers all three and stays valid regardless of what happens to the installer who sold you the system.
An SI-30 solar warranty transfers to the new owner at no cost with the full remaining term intact. Manufacturer warranties usually transfer, but sometimes charge a fee. Workmanship warranties often don't transfer at all.
An SI-30 solar warranty stays valid because Solar Insure issues it, not the installer. Contact us directly, and we dispatch another Certified Provider. Workmanship warranties typically void when the installer closes.
Key Terms
Common words you'll see on a solar warranty
Manufacturer warranty
The equipment maker's coverage on panels, inverters, or batteries. Details and coverage term depends on manufacturer and component.
Third-party warranty/independent warranty
A warranty issued by a company separate from the manufacturer and installer. SI-30 warranties from Solar Insure are an independent limited warranty.
Diagnostic truck roll
The service visit is required to confirm a failure before a warranty claim can be filed. Often billed separately. SI-30 covers it when a covered defect is confirmed.
SI-30 Warranty
Solar Insure's 30-year residential warranty family (Solar, Battery, Total). Covers parts, labor, and diagnostic visits for the design life of a residential solar system.
Workmanship warranty
The installer's coverage of installation quality. The term varies from 1 to 25 years. Usually, it voids if the installer goes out of business.
Parts & labor coverage
The two costs of a repair: the replacement equipment and the time to install it. Manufacturer warranties usually cover parts only. SI-30 covers both.
Approved Vendor List (AVL)
The list of panel, inverter, and battery manufacturers makes it eligible for Solar Insure SI-30 warranty coverage through a vetted, certified provider.
Certified Provider
A solar installer vetted by Solar Insure on five criteria. Certified Providers include the SI-30 warranty with the systems they install.
Get coverage that lasts as long as your system
The right solar warranty makes solar a 30-year asset, not a 30-year liability. Find a Certified Provider in your area or learn about Solar Insure's products.