Before investing in solar panels, there is one thing that must not be overlooked: the solar panel warranty. These warranties provide you with financial safety against damage or poor performance. These warranties should be understood to ensure that your initial investment doesn’t get wasted.
In this blog, we have focused on the two major warranties that you must check before finalizing a solar panel: the performance and product warranty. These two warranties are focused on the physical aspects and power output of the solar panels. Read till the end to understand these warranties, the claiming process, and explore solar warranties offered by other brands.
Why Does Solar Panel Warranty Matter?
The solar panels face many physical challenges in the years after their installation. All these conditions wear out the panels and can cause physical damage or faster degradation that lowers the energy output.
If you don’t have a warranty, the repair and replacement cost will come out of your pocket. This adds to your solar installation cost and reduces your ROI. The solar panel warranty period ensures that you have a safety net against solar malfunction.
What Does Performance Warranty Mean?
The performance or power output warranty ensures that your solar panels will deliver a minimum output for a certain number of years. While a cloudy environment can cause some drops in performance, longer drops in output should be tracked and analyzed for damage.
Over the years, solar panel efficiency reduces due to environmental factors and degradation. However, the solar panel degradation warranty ensures that performance output will not reduce below a certain percentage.
For most high-quality solar panels, solar performance warranty years range between 25 and 30 years. The average performance of the solar panel over these years should be at least 80% of the original. Meaning, a 400W solar panel should produce 320W of energy when the warranty period ends.
What Does Product Warranty Mean?
Sometimes called a materials or workmanship warranty, a product warranty covers the physical condition of the solar panel. Most of the solar panel manufacturers in India offer 10-12 years product warranty.
A few things that might be covered in a product warranty for solar panels are:
- Manufacturing defects in the solar panels
- Delamination of the layers of the solar panels
- Discolouration caused by production flaws, not external damage
- Frame damage due to poor manufacturing
- Junction box failure due to a faulty component
It is important to note that the product warranty does not cover damages caused by external sources like hailstorms, improper installation, or physical damage caused by heavy objects falling on the panel.
Performance Warranty Vs Product Warranty Solar: What’s The Difference?
| Performance Warranty | Product Warranty | |
| What is covered | Output of the solar panels | Physical defect or material failure |
| Duration | 25 – 30 years | 10-12 years |
| Triggers for claim | Panel physically breaks down or degrades structurally | The power output of the solar panel drops below the warranty threshold for extended period of time |
| Claim resolution | Panel replacement or financial compensation | Solar panel repairing or replacement |
It is important that you register your warranty cards with the company immediately after installation to make them valid.
Other Types Of Solar Panel Warranties
The solar panel system also includes other elements that come with a warranty. A few of those warranties are:
- Inverter warranty: 5 to 10 years
- Mounting structure warranty: 5 to 10 years
- Installation or workmanship warranty: 1 to 2 years
- Battery storage warranty: 5 to 10 years
Compare different suppliers to find the best option based on your needs. Check the warranty claims to ensure that you can claim it when needed.
How To Claim Solar Panel Warranty
The following is guidance on how to claim your solar panel warranty:
Identify And Document The Problem
When your system’s performance drops, check for any physical damage. If there is any physical damage at the time of installation or later, record it. Document any sudden drop in performance through the performance tracking app or device. The more proof you have, the easier it would be to claim the warranty.
Check Your Warranty Terms
Before reaching out, revisit your warranty document. Confirm that the issue is covered, check the warranty period, and look for any conditions you may have inadvertently violated.
Contact The Installer
Reach out to your solar panel supplier or the installer through their website or customer support. They might ask for your panel serial number, your sales invoice, the day the system was set up, and some proof that it was damaged or that its output dropped.
Schedule The Inspection And Testing
Once you apply, the installer will contact you to schedule an initial inspection. This inspection may include a physical inspection or an independent lab test to ensure that performance has dropped below the warrantied threshold.
Warranty Claim Resolution
If the test result is within the warranty claim, the supplier shall provide a solution. They can fix the damage, substitute the solar panel or pay you compensation.
Best Warranty Solar Panel Brands India
| Performance Warranty | Product Warranty | |
| Sunora Solar | 30 years | 12 years |
| Waree | 30 years | 12 years |
| Tata power | 25 years | 12 years |
| Adani Solar | 25 years | 12 years |
| Vikram Solar | 27 years | 12 years |
Conclusion
Solar Panel Warranty protects you against physical damage or loss of performance. There are two main solar panel warranties to know: Product warranty (for physical damage) for 10-12 years and Performance warranty (for less than expected power output) for 25-30 years. You have to see a sustained drop in performance to make a strong case. Sunora Solar is the best solar panel with 30-year performance and 12-year product warranties. Now check out the different types of solar panels for your project!
FAQs
What is the typical warranty for solar panels?
The typical physical warranty of solar panels is up to 10- 12 years, and the performance warranty lasts for 25 years. Additionally, the solar mounting structure also has a warranty of 5-10 years. Sunora Solar provides you with a 30-year performance warranty to ensure that you get the best ROI on solar panel investment.
What voids a solar panel warranty?
The following are a few factors that void a solar warranty claim:
- Installation by an uncertified installer
- Unauthorised modification to the panels or the system
- Damage caused by factors not covered in the warranty terms
- Use of unapproved cleaning and maintenance supply
- Not registering the warranty
What does the 25-year warranty on solar panels mean?
The 25-year warranty on solar panels is referred to as the performance warranty. Most solar panel brands offer a 25-year performance warranty that ensures that the panel produces the minimum output (generally 80% of the original claim) till the 25th year.
How do I submit a warranty claim?
One of the most crucial steps to claim a warranty is to document the problem with photos, videos and collection data. Take pictures of the damage and track the performance output using inverter apps for a solar warranty. You can then go to your solar panel provider’s website to complain and claim the warranty. They will assist you with repair or replacement if approved by the supplier’s inspection. You have to register your warranty to activate it.
