Solar Insights

Reading the Fine Print: Solar Warranties Explained

Don't get tricked by the '25-Year Warranty' sticker. We break down the difference between Product, Performance, and Workmanship warranties.

Advertisement

The Three Pillars of Protection

When an installer says “It has a 25-year warranty,” they are usually conflating three very different things. To protect your investment, you need to understand the coverage of each layer.

1. The Product Warranty (The Hardware)

This covers defects in manufacturing. If the glass cracks spontaneously or the junction box melts, they give you a new panel.

  • Standard: 10-12 Years.
  • Premium: 25 Years (Maxeon, REC, Panasonic).
  • Gotcha: Often covers the equipment only. You still have to pay someone to climb on the roof and swap it out.

2. The Performance Warranty (The Output)

This guarantees that the panel will still produce power in the future. Silicon degrades naturally over time.

  • The Promise: “Will produce 85% of original power at Year 25.”
  • The Reality: This warranty is rarely claimed. Panels almost never fail by just “producing a little less.” They usually work or they don’t. This is mostly marketing fluff, but a steeper curve (e.g., 92% at Year 25) indicates higher quality silicon.

3. The Workmanship Warranty (The Install)

This is the most important one. This comes from the Installer, not the Manufacturer. It covers their labor: the roof penetrations, the wiring, the conduit bending.

  • Length: Varies wildly. 2 Years to 25 Years.
  • The Problem: If your roof leaks in Year 5, the Manufacturer won’t help you. You need the Installer to come back and fix it.
  • The Risk: Many solar installers go bankrupt. A “25-Year Workmanship Warranty” from a company that has been in business for 6 months is paper-thin.

What is “Labor Inclusive”?

Always ask: “Does the manufacturer warranty cover shipping and labor?”

Scenario: A panel fails in Year 15.

  • Bad Warranty: Manufacturer sends you a free panel. You pay $200 shipping + $300 for a truck roll to install it. Total cost: $500.
  • Good Warranty (e.g., SunPower): Manufacturer pays for the truck, the labor, and the panel. Total cost: $0.

Conclusion

Don’t buy based on the sticker on the front. Buy based on the contract on the back.

  • Look for 25-Year Product warranties (not just Performance).
  • Vet your installer’s financial health for the Workmanship warranty.
  • Prioritize “Labor Inclusive” terms to avoid surprise service bills.
Back to Blog