When investing in solar panels, understanding the warranty that comes with them is essential. A warranty provides peace of mind and ensures you’re protected against potential defects or issues. However, solar panel warranties can be complex, with various terms and conditions. In this blog post, we’ll demystify solar panel warranties, explaining what’s typically covered and what’s not.

Two Types of Warranties
Solar panels usually come with two types of warranties: a performance warranty and a product warranty. These warranties cover different aspects of your solar panel system and provide different types of protection.

Performance Warranty
The performance warranty, also known as the power output warranty, guarantees that your solar panels will maintain a certain level of energy production over time. This warranty often spans 25 to 30 years and assures that the panels will degrade no more than a specified percentage during that period. For example, a common performance warranty might guarantee that your panels will still produce at least 80% of their original output after 25 years.

Product Warranty
The product warranty, also referred to as the materials warranty, covers defects in the manufacturing of the solar panels themselves. This warranty typically spans around 10 to 15 years. If a panel fails due to manufacturing defects within this period, the manufacturer will repair or replace it.

What’s Covered
Typically, solar panel warranties cover:

-Power Output: The performance warranty ensures that the panels will produce a specified percentage of their original power output for a specified number of years.
-Manufacturing Defects: The product warranty covers defects arising from the manufacturing process, which can result in malfunctions or reduced efficiency.

What’s Not Covered
Solar panel warranties usually do not cover:

-Normal Wear and Tear: Warranties don’t cover natural degradation due to normal wear and tear over time.
External Factors: Warranties often don’t cover damage caused by external factors like extreme weather, accidents, vandalism, or improper installation.
-Maintenance and Cleaning: The responsibility of maintaining and cleaning the panels to prevent issues usually falls on the homeowner.

Read the Fine Print
Before purchasing solar panels, carefully read and understand the warranty terms and conditions. Pay attention to any exclusions or limitations that may apply.

Professional Installation
Having your solar panels installed by professionals is crucial for warranty coverage. Improper installation can void warranties, so choose a reputable installer with experience.

Understanding solar panel warranties is crucial to making an informed decision about your investment. A warranty is your safeguard against unexpected issues and can significantly impact your long-term savings. By knowing what’s covered and what’s not, you’ll be better equipped to choose high-quality panels and enjoy the benefits of solar energy with confidence.