Most salespeople lead with ’25-year warranty’ like it’s one thing. It’s not. There are actually three separate warranties on every solar installation — and they cover very different things.
Thank you for reading this post, don’t forget to subscribe!The 3 Warranties You Need to Know
| Warranty Type | What It Covers | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment (Product) | Defects in manufacturing, materials failure | 10–25 years |
| Performance (Power) | Minimum output guarantee (e.g. 90% at year 10) | 25 years |
| Workmanship (Labor) | Installation quality, roof leaks caused by install | 2–10 years |
Equipment Warranty — What to Look For
This covers physical defects: cracked cells, delamination, connector failures. Top-tier panels (LG, Panasonic, SunPower) offer 25 years. Budget panels often offer only 10–12. A longer equipment warranty signals higher manufacturer confidence in their product.
Performance Warranty — The One That Matters Most
All panels degrade slightly over time. A performance warranty guarantees a minimum output level. Industry standard: 90% output at year 10, 80% at year 25. Premium panels guarantee 92% at year 25. That difference adds up — a 2% gap on a 10kW system is 200W of real power.
Workmanship Warranty — Don’t Overlook This
This is your installer’s guarantee. It covers roof penetrations, wiring, and mounting. A 2-year workmanship warranty is bare minimum — look for 5–10 years. If your installer goes out of business, this warranty becomes worthless. Choose a company that’s been around at least 5 years.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Installer offers only 1–2 year workmanship warranty
- Panel brand you can’t find reviews for online
- Warranty transferable only with a fee
- No written warranty — verbal promises mean nothing
FAQ
What happens if my solar company goes out of business? The panel manufacturer’s warranty still applies. The workmanship warranty is typically lost. This is why installer stability matters.
Are inverter warranties different? Yes. String inverters usually carry 10–12 year warranties. Microinverters (Enphase) carry 25 years — a big advantage.