You’ve got a 25-year warranty on your solar panels — but do you actually know what it covers? Most homeowners discover the hard way that “warranty” doesn’t mean everything is free when something breaks. Understanding what’s protected and what’s not can save you thousands.
The two warranties on every panel
Your solar panel warranty is actually two separate warranties with completely different coverage. The product warranty covers manufacturing and material defects in the panel itself, while the performance warranty guarantees a minimum power output over time, typically around 85 to 87% of the panel’s rated output at year 25.
In 2026, most premium home panels come with a 25-year product warranty and a 25- to 30-year performance warranty. Budget panels may offer only 10-12 years on product coverage. That difference matters when you’re planning to stay in your home long-term.
Here’s what catches people off guard: a 25-year output guarantee isn’t a promise to replace a panel that’s lost some power. It promises a minimum output, so a panel still making 85% of its rating at year 25 is working as warrantied. If you expected full replacement for any drop in production, you’ll be disappointed.
The product warranty is your protection against physical failure — cracked glass, delamination, junction box failures, frame corrosion. The performance warranty is your protection against excessive degradation. You need both, and you need to understand which one applies when you have a problem. Many homeowners reach out to solar installers only to find out their issue isn’t covered by the warranty they thought they had.
What the product warranty actually covers
The product warranty is about defects that originate at the factory. That includes defects in the solar cells themselves, problems with the panel frame, failures in the junction box where wiring connects, and issues with the protective glass or backsheet that seals the panel.
Common claims under product warranty include delamination (where the layers inside the panel separate), cell cracks caused by manufacturing flaws, frame corrosion that compromises structural integrity, and junction box failures that prevent the panel from producing power. It covers manufacturing defects and premature wear that comes from those defects.
What the product warranty does NOT typically cover: the labor and shipping needed to repair or replace a panel. Getting one bad panel pulled, shipped and replaced can cost $2,000 to $5,000, and most manufacturers won’t pay that. Some premium manufacturers like REC and Maxeon include labor coverage, but it’s the exception, not the rule.
The product warranty also won’t cover you if the panel still works but just looks bad. Cosmetic wear isn’t covered, since warranties are about output, not appearance. Slight discoloration, minor scratches, or fading are considered normal aging.
What the performance warranty guarantees (and what it doesn’t)
The performance warranty is a guarantee about degradation, not failure. Most panels lose about 0.25 to 0.5% of their output per year, and NREL’s research puts the median near 0.5%. Your performance warranty sets a floor for how much output you’re guaranteed at specific milestones — typically year 10 and year 25.
For most panels installed in 2026, that floor is 84-87% of original nameplate capacity at year 25. Premium panels push that to 88-92%. To claim under a performance warranty, you typically need to prove through actual testing that your panels are producing below the guaranteed threshold. A lower bill credit or a cloudy month isn’t proof on its own. The manufacturer may require formal testing of the affected panels.
That means hiring a certified technician to measure output under controlled conditions, not just looking at your monitoring app and seeing lower production. Weather, shading, soiling, and grid conditions all affect real-world output, and the manufacturer won’t accept a claim based on variables they don’t control.
Performance warranties also don’t cover lost revenue or savings. Most warranties also exclude consequential damages, such as lost savings or property damage caused by a panel failure. If your panels underperform and you pay more to the utility as a result, that’s on you unless the degradation exceeds the warranty threshold and you can prove it through proper testing.
What voids your warranty (the exclusions that matter)
Warranty exclusions are where most surprises happen. Most panel warranties exclude damage from improper installation, lack of maintenance, extreme weather and vandalism. Let’s break those down.
Common ways to void coverage include DIY installation or repairs, changes made by an unqualified contractor, skipping required maintenance, and weather events the warranty excludes. Read your warranty for any rules about who may install or service the panels. That means if you hire a general electrician to troubleshoot a problem or add a circuit, you could void your warranty even if that work was unrelated to the panels themselves.
Weather damage is a gray area. Many warranties exclude hurricanes, tornadoes, hail above a stated size (often about 1 inch), lightning, floods and wildfires, even though panels are tested to withstand harsh conditions. Some manufacturers cover wind and hail damage up to certain thresholds; others exclude it entirely. Weather damage is usually a homeowners insurance claim rather than a warranty claim.
Changing the panels without the manufacturer’s or original installer’s approval can void the warranty, and that includes changes made by other service companies. That includes adding optimizers, relocating panels, or changing the racking system without manufacturer approval.
Registration requirements also matter. Some manufacturers require you or your installer to register the system within a specific window (often 30-90 days) to activate the full warranty. Miss that window and you might be stuck with a shorter default warranty. If you’re not sure whether your system was registered, contact your installer or check the manufacturer’s warranty portal now — don’t wait until you need to file a claim.
Storm damage is usually an insurance matter rather than a warranty claim. See our guide to filing a solar panel storm damage insurance claim.
The workmanship warranty: Your installer’s responsibility
In 2026, installers typically back their own work for 5 to 10 years, covering wiring, mounting and roof penetrations. This is separate from the manufacturer’s warranty and covers problems caused by installation errors, not manufacturing defects.
The manufacturer covers defects from the factory, and the installer covers problems caused by the installation itself. That includes roof leaks around mounting points, incorrect wiring, improper grounding, and racking failures caused by installation errors.
The problem: a workmanship warranty is only as good as the company behind it. If the installer closes, roof leaks, wiring faults and racking problems become your expense. This is the single biggest risk for solar owners in 2026. Waves of installer bankruptcies in 2024 and 2025 left many California homeowners without anyone to service their systems, and this trend has spread to other states.
If your installer is still in business, workmanship coverage is valuable. If they’ve closed, that warranty is worthless. Equipment warranties are agreements with the manufacturer, not the installer, so your panels, inverter and battery stay covered when the installer goes away. But labor and installation quality protection disappears. For support if your installer has gone under, see our guide on what to do when your solar installer goes out of business.
If your installer was bought out, see what happens to your warranty after an acquisition.
The labor gap: Why free parts don’t mean free repairs
Here’s the costliest surprise in solar warranties: manufacturer warranties cover the replacement part but usually not the labor or shipping needed to swap it. The manufacturer will send you a replacement panel at no charge. You pay someone $2,000-$5,000 to remove the old one, ship it back, install the new one, and re-commission the system.
Under warranty, the manufacturer will usually send a free replacement panel, but shipping and installation are typically on you. A few manufacturers — SunPower (now operated under new ownership following bankruptcy), REC, and Maxeon — include labor reimbursement in their warranties, but they represent a small fraction of installed systems.
Manufacturers ship parts, not technicians. A homeowner whose installer is gone can hold a perfectly valid warranty and still have nobody to do the work. You’re entitled to the part. You’re not entitled to someone installing it for free.
Some installers offer separate labor warranties or service plans that cover the cost of executing manufacturer warranty claims. Others don’t. If your proposal doesn’t explicitly mention labor coverage for warranty claims, assume you’re paying out of pocket when the time comes. That’s not a defect in the warranty — it’s how most solar warranties are structured. You just need to know it before you’re surprised by a $3,000 bill to replace a free panel. For more on choosing the right installer and understanding what’s covered, visit our installer directory.
How to file a claim
Claims go to the manufacturer, not the installer, though many installers will help. You’ll need serial numbers, proof of purchase and a description of the problem, and performance claims require monitoring data that shows a sustained shortfall. If a claim is denied, ask for a written explanation that cites the specific warranty terms. For the full step-by-step process, see our guide to filing a solar panel warranty claim.
What happens when the manufacturer goes out of business
Installer bankruptcies get more attention, but manufacturer bankruptcies are just as disruptive. Some homeowners call to file a claim only to learn the manufacturer closed years ago, leaving them with a warranty no one will honor. You still own the panels. They may still work fine. But the warranty is gone.
Some manufacturers have third-party warranty insurance that survives bankruptcy. Others don’t. If warranty insurance exists, a third-party administrator takes over claims, though the process is often slower and more bureaucratic than dealing with the original manufacturer. If no insurance exists, you’re out of luck.
The brand name on your panels matters less than the financial stability of the company behind them. A 40-year warranty from a startup with two years of operating history is less valuable than a 25-year warranty from a manufacturer that’s been in business for 20 years and has strong financials. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way for homeowners to assess manufacturer financial health. Your best protection is choosing an installer who vets their supply chain and avoids sourcing from financially unstable manufacturers.
If you’re buying a home with existing solar, the manufacturer warranty transfers with the system in most cases — but verify that before you close. See our guide on buying a home with solar panels for what to check. Some manufacturers require the new homeowner to re-register the system or pay a transfer fee. Others transfer automatically. Don’t assume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Solar panel warranties look impressive on paper — 25 years of product coverage, 30 years of performance guarantees, comprehensive protection. But the fine print tells a different story. Labor costs aren’t covered. Weather damage is excluded. Unauthorized repairs void everything. Your installer’s workmanship warranty disappears if they go out of business. Understanding these gaps before you need to file a claim is the difference between a warranty that protects you and one that just looked good in the sales presentation.
The best warranty strategy isn’t chasing the longest coverage period or the highest performance guarantee. It’s choosing financially stable manufacturers, working with installers who have strong track records and aren’t likely to disappear, and reading the actual warranty documents before you sign — not after something breaks. A 25-year warranty from a company that will still exist in 25 years is worth more than a 40-year warranty from a manufacturer operating on venture capital fumes.
If you’re comparing solar quotes, don’t just ask about warranty length. Ask whether labor is covered. Ask what happens if the installer or manufacturer goes out of business. Ask what exclusions apply and what documentation you’ll need to file a claim. The answers to those questions matter more than the number of years printed on the warranty certificate. For help finding installers who stand behind their work with strong warranties and solid business practices, explore our vetted installer directory.