Are solar panel repairs covered by the manufacturer's warranty?
Sometimes. A manufacturer’s warranty may cover a panel or component that has failed because of a manufacturing defect, but it may exclude accidental or weather damage, installation faults and the labour involved in diagnosing or carrying out the repair. Check the warranty terms before arranging work, as we can help establish whether the fault is likely to qualify.
A manufacturer’s warranty may cover the cost of a faulty panel or other solar equipment, but it does not automatically cover every cost involved in putting the system right. The exact cover depends on the component, the warranty terms and how the fault occurred.
Solar installations usually involve several separate warranties. The panels, inverter, battery and mounting equipment may each have different terms. A panel warranty may deal with a manufacturing defect, while a separate performance warranty concerns how much electricity the panel should produce over time. Those are not the same as a workmanship warranty for the original installation.
Labour, access equipment and related electrical work may be treated separately from the faulty component. For example, a manufacturer may agree to replace an inverter but leave the cost of diagnosis, removal, fitting or testing to be considered separately. The warranty may also require the equipment to be returned or assessed before a replacement is authorised.
Warranty cover can also depend on the system’s history. Terms may exclude problems linked to unauthorised alterations, incorrect maintenance, unsuitable replacement parts or damage caused by another part of the installation. A warranty may also have conditions about registration, proof of purchase, installation records or reporting the fault within a specified period.
Your first step should be to keep the system switched as instructed and record any warning lights, error codes or changes in performance. Do not remove panels, open the inverter or attempt a repair yourself. DC cabling can remain electrically live in daylight, even when other parts of the system have been switched off.
We can investigate the fault without assuming that the panel is the cause. We check the inverter readings, generation history, visible cabling, isolators and connections, then identify which component needs attention. This matters because low generation can come from the inverter, monitoring equipment, wiring or shading rather than from the panels themselves.
Useful documents include the original quotation, invoice, commissioning certificate, product serial numbers, warranty certificates and any previous repair records. Photographs of the inverter display and the system’s monitoring app can also help establish when the problem started.
- Panel defect: the panel manufacturer may assess or replace the affected panel under its product terms.
- Performance concern: generation data may be needed to compare the system’s output with the relevant performance warranty.
- Inverter or battery fault: the relevant equipment manufacturer’s terms apply, rather than the panel warranty.
- Installation workmanship: this is normally dealt with through the installer’s own terms, not the panel manufacturer.
- Damage to the roof or surrounding equipment: this may fall outside the equipment warranty and could need consideration under another policy.
For a system installed by us, our MCS records and commissioning paperwork help establish what was fitted, how it was configured and which manufacturer terms are relevant. MCS certification does not make every repair free, but it provides useful installation documentation and supports the correct route for a renewable system claim.
We explain what appears to be covered before work starts. If the manufacturer accepts the claim, we follow its process and confirm which costs remain outside the warranty. If the fault is not covered, you receive a written quotation for the repair or replacement before any chargeable work begins.
Older systems can be more difficult to claim against if the installer has ceased trading or the original paperwork is missing. That does not always prevent a repair. We can still identify the equipment, test the system safely and explain whether repairing the existing arrangement or replacing a component is the more practical route.
If you bought a property with solar panels already installed, don’t assume the warranty transferred with the sale. Some manufacturers link cover to the equipment, while others require registration, proof of purchase or a change-of-ownership record.
We can help identify the panels and installation date from the serial numbers and available paperwork. That shows which warranty route may still be open before you pay for investigative or repair work.
