(02) 4910 0939 Discover the different types of solar panel warranties, including panel warranties, inverter warranties, and system warranties. Learn what each warranty covers and make informed decisions when purchasing solar equipment for your home or business.
When it comes to solar equipment, there are a couple of different warranty types to be aware of. Understanding the differences between these warranties and their coverage is essential for informed decision-making. Explore panel warranties, inverter warranties, and system warranties to ensure you choose the right solar equipment for your home or business.
Solar Panel Warranties
There are many different solar panels on the market, and quality can be variable between manufacturers. While warranty coverage is no substitute for choosing panels from a reputable manufacturer, it provides extra piece of mind that your investment is secure. Solar panel manufacturers generally offer two separate warranty types for their products.
- Defect warranties: Defect warranties address defects in materials and workmanship. Depending on the manufacturer, defect warranties can cover defects appearing in solar panels for between 10 to 25 years. These warranties are typically useful for providing coverage for issues that are obviously affecting the mechanical integrity or function of the module. E.g. delamination of the back sheet of the solar panel.
- Performance warranties: All solar crystalline silicon modules will begin degrading the moment that they are exposed to sunlight. However, this rate is usually guaranteed to be under a certain threshold by the manufacturer. Performance warranties typically allow a reduction in rated power output of around 2-3% in the first year of operation. After the first year the warranty will generally cover an annual reduction in power output greater than 0.7%.
Most solar panel data sheets will have a performance warranty curve like the one above. This curve shows the warranted power output over the design life of the solar panel
Inverter Warranties
Inverter warranties cover the device responsible for converting solar panel-generated electricity into a usable form for your home or business. These warranties are issued by the inverter manufacturer and typically cover the product for 5 to 15 years. LuvSolar generally recommends customers consider an inverter with at least a 10-year warranty. Longer warranties for inverters are important. This is because if there are any problems with the inverter, the solar system will often cease to function.
Solar System Warranties
System warranties, also known as workmanship warranties, provide a guarantee over any defects arising from the incorrect installation of the system. This includes panels, inverters, and other components. System warranties guarantee the quality of the system installation as a whole, and cover things like, mounting system installation, wiring, and design.
To ensure you have complete protection for your solar equipment, carefully review the terms and conditions of all warranties. Keep in mind that warranty terms can vary significantly between manufacturers and providers. Some warranties may require equipment registration online within a specific timeframe, while others may have exclusions or limitations on coverage. Understanding the terms and conditions of your warranty ensures full protection in the event of any issues or problems with your solar equipment.
There are a few main types of warranties to consider when purchasing a solar system. Key warranties to consider are; solar panel warranties, inverter warranties, and system warranties. Thoroughly reviewing the terms and conditions of each warranty is crucial, as they can vary between manufacturers and providers. Understanding the differences between these warranties and their coverage empowers you to make informed decisions when purchasing solar equipment for your home or business