Understanding Solar Warranties | Comprehensive Guide

When investing in solar energy systems, one of the critical considerations for homeowners and businesses is the longevity and reliability of the technology. Solar panels and their components are built to last, but what happens if something goes wrong? The answer lies in the warranty that comes with your system.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how solar panel warranty works, what the solar industry standard is, and how Belmont Solar’s exceptional Triple Ten Solar Panel Warranty provides long-term peace of mind for solar customers. We’ll also discuss the comprehensive 25-year warranties provided by the manufacturers we partner with and how Belmont can assist even if your solar panel warranty runs out, even if we didn’t install the system.

What Are Solar Warranties?

A solar panel warranty is a promise from the manufacturer or installer to protect the consumer from defects, product malfunctions, or failures. These warranties guarantee that the equipment will function correctly for a certain period, and if any issues arise, the manufacturer or installer will fix them.

Solar warranties typically fall into three categories:

1. Standard Product Warranty

The solar panel warranty for product defects typically lasts around 10 to 12 years. This warranty ensures that your panels are free from manufacturing flaws and covers issues like material defects or malfunctioning components. Many leading solar panel manufacturers extend this coverage even further, with some offering up to 25 years of product warranty to guarantee the quality and reliability of their panels.

A solar panel warranty for product defects covers repairs or replacements if the panels fail due to material degradation or poor craftsmanship. This extended protection is important, as it ensures your panels are built to withstand weather conditions and maintain their integrity over time.

2. Performance Warranty

A vital aspect of the solar panel warranty is the performance guarantee, which generally lasts 25 years. This warranty ensures that your solar panels will continue to produce energy efficiently over time. Solar panels naturally degrade and produce slightly less energy each year. However, the performance warranty guarantees they will still produce a certain percentage of their original capacity, often at least 80%  after 25 years.

The performance warranty is essential because it gives you a long-term outlook on your solar investment. If your panels fall below the guaranteed performance level, the manufacturer is responsible for addressing the issue through repairs, replacements, or additional measures to restore energy output.

3. Inverter and Racking Warranties

In addition to the solar panel warranty, it’s important to consider warranties for other components, such as inverters and racking systems. Inverters, which convert the energy generated by the panels into usable electricity, typically have a warranty lasting between 5 and 15 years, depending on the brand and model. Some manufacturers offer extended warranties on inverters, which is a valuable option if you’re looking for long-term coverage.

Racking systems, which secure the solar panels to your roof or ground, often come with a warranty of 10 to 25 years. Ensuring your racking system is covered under a solid warranty is essential, contributing to your solar setup’s overall safety and durability.

4. Workmanship Warranty

An installer-provided solar panel warranty for workmanship usually covers issues related to the installation process. This type of warranty typically lasts between 5 and 10 years, depending on the solar installation company. It covers problems like incorrect wiring, faulty mounting, or other errors made during the installation that could affect the system’s performance.

The workmanship warranty is critical because improper installation can lead to long-term problems, such as water damage to your roof or decreased system efficiency. When selecting a solar provider, it’s important to choose a company that offers a solid workmanship warranty to protect your home and solar investment.

Why Timelines Matter

Knowing the standard timelines for a solar panel warranty helps set realistic expectations for your system’s longevity and performance. The combination of a 25-year performance warranty, a 10 to 25-year product warranty, and an installer-backed workmanship warranty ensures comprehensive protection. By understanding these timelines, you can better plan for maintenance and make sure you are fully covered in case of issues.

Remember, Belmont Solar not only adheres to these industry standards but also goes a step further by offering our unique Triple Ten Warranty. This way, you get complete peace of mind and superior protection for your solar investment.

How to Pick the Best Solar Panel Warranty

Choosing the right solar panel warranty is important to protect your investment and ensure long-term performance. Understanding the key factors to evaluate can save you money and frustration. Here’s what to look for when selecting the best solar warranty:

Coverage Period

The length of a solar panel warranty often reflects the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. Most warranties offer 10-25 years of coverage, but panels with more extended warranties are worth prioritizing, as they usually indicate superior durability and performance.

Performance Guarantee

A good solar panel warranty includes a performance guarantee. This ensures the panels will generate a minimum percentage of their rated power capacity over a specific period, typically around 80% after 25 years. Look for warranties with clear benchmarks for annual degradation rates.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Carefully review what the warranty covers. Does it include labor, parts replacement, and shipping costs? Some warranties only cover the panels, leaving you to pay for other associated costs.

Transferability

Will the warranty be transferred to the new owner if you sell your property? A transferable solar panel warranty increases the resale value of your home and provides peace of mind for potential buyers.

Manufacturer Reputation

Choose a warranty backed by a reputable manufacturer with a proven track record. Research customer reviews and company history to ensure they’ll be around to honor your warranty claims.

Workmanship Warranty

Apart from the solar panel warranty, check for a workmanship warranty from the installer. This covers issues related to improper installation, which is a critical factor in system performance.

Final Thoughts

A solar panel warranty is not just a safety net. It reflects product quality and company reliability. By considering factors like coverage period, performance guarantees, and manufacturer reputation, you can select a warranty that matches your needs and ensures peace of mind for decades to come.

The Belmont Solar Panel Warranty: Our Triple Ten

At Belmont Solar, we believe that a strong solar panel warranty is essential for customer confidence and satisfaction. We go above and beyond the typical solar panel warranty offerings to provide our customers with what we call the Triple Ten Warranty, which includes:

• 10-Year Complete Workmanship Warranty
• 10-Year Complete Product Warranty
• 10-Year Production Warranty

This unique offering ensures that all aspects of your solar energy system are covered, including the quality of installation, the solar panels’ performance, and your system’s overall functionality. Whether you’re a new customer or have been with us for years, you can rest easy knowing that we’ve got your back for a decade.

Breaking Down the Belmont Solar Triple Ten Warranty

1. 10-Year Complete Workmanship Warranty: Our workmanship warranty guarantees that the installation of your solar system is flawless. From mounting panels to electrical connections, we guarantee that the installation is done to the highest standards. If there are any issues with the installation process, we will cover the costs of correcting them for up to 10 years. This includes any damages caused by poor installation, improper connections, or other mistakes that could affect your solar system’s performance.
2. 10-Year Complete Product Warranty: With the Triple Ten Warranty, the product itself is also protected. This covers the solar panels, inverters, and any other equipment involved in the solar system. If the equipment is found to be defective within 10 years, we will handle repairs or replacements at no cost to you. This warranty ensures that you are not stuck with faulty equipment and that your solar system will perform as expected.
3. 10-Year Production Warranty: The production warranty covers the energy output of your system. This is crucial because your solar panels are expected to generate a certain amount of power over time. If your system produces less energy than it was designed to due to faulty equipment or installation, we’ll make it right. This warranty guarantees that your system will produce the expected amount of energy for a full decade.

The 25-Year Limited Solar Panel Warranty: What Belmont Offers

While our Triple Ten Warranty offers unmatched protection in the first ten years, we also provide a 25-year limited warranty on key components of the system, covering the solar panels and the racking system. This extended coverage gives you confidence that your investment in solar will be safeguarded for a long time.

Here’s what the 25-year limited warranty includes:

• 25-Year Limited Product Warranty on Solar Panels: Solar panels are the heart of any solar system, and it’s important that they perform for many years. Belmont offers a 25-year limited warranty on the solar panels we install, protecting you against defects in materials or craftsmanship that could impact their functionality. This warranty covers the panels for up to a quarter-century, ensuring their longevity.
• 25-Year Limited Warranty on the Tough Trac Racking System: The racking system that holds your panels in place is just as important as the panels themselves. That’s why we provide a 25-year limited warranty on our high-quality Tough Trac racking system. This advanced system is designed to withstand the elements and ensure your panels remain securely in place. We’ll take care of any issues with the racking system during the first 25 years.
• 25-Year Limited Power Output Warranty on Solar Panels: In addition to covering product defects, we also guarantee the power output of your solar panels for 25 years. As solar panels age, they gradually lose efficiency, but we ensure they continue producing at least 80% of their original output for 25 years. If your panels fail to meet this minimum power threshold, we will replace them or offer a suitable solution.

It’s important to note that while these warranties cover the product, installation, and power output, they do not apply to online monitoring functionality or battery systems. Additionally, damage caused by physical impacts, modifications made by other parties, or incidents covered by homeowner’s insurance are not included. Always check our warranty sheet for the full details and exclusions.

The First Year Power Production Guarantee

At Belmont Solar, we also provide a First Year Power Production Guarantee, which offers protection during the important early stages of your solar system’s operation. This guarantee covers the power production in the first year and is based on various factors, such as:

• Tilt: The angle at which your panels are installed.
• Orientation: The direction your panels face (south is usually ideal in the Northern Hemisphere).
• Azimuth: The position of the sun in relation to your panels.
• Equipment Performance: The overall performance of the equipment and system design.
• Local Weather: Local weather conditions play a role in the energy production of your system.

This guarantee ensures that your solar panels will perform as expected based on the system design. If they do not produce the expected amount of energy during the first year due to issues with the equipment or installation, we will address it promptly.

However, this guarantee does not apply to excessive shading caused by trees or other obstructions or if the solar access at your location changes. It’s also important to note that it does not apply to battery backup systems or any situation where the system’s solar access has been altered. If physical damage occurs, the power production guarantee will not apply.

What Happens When Your Solar Warranty Runs Out?

While our Triple Ten and 25-year limited warranties provide extensive coverage, there are times when your warranty may expire, especially when it comes to equipment and performance warranties. In these cases, Belmont Solar can still help, even if we didn’t install the system.

We offer ongoing support and service for solar systems that are beyond their warranty period, regardless of whether we were the original installers. Whether your warranty has expired or you are dealing with an older system, we can assess your solar system and recommend maintenance, repairs, or upgrades to keep it running efficiently.

Here’s how we can help:

• System Diagnosis and Repairs: We offer professional system diagnostics to identify any issues your solar panels might be experiencing. If your system isn’t performing at its peak, we can provide the necessary repairs or recommend the best course of action to restore optimal energy production.
• Upgrades and Component Replacements: Technology evolves quickly in the solar industry. If your system is outdated or underperforming, we can help you upgrade components to newer, more efficient models, ensuring you get the most out of your solar investment.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Proper maintenance is crucial to extending the lifespan of your solar system. Belmont offers maintenance services, including panel cleaning and inspections, to help keep your system in top shape long after the warranty has expired.
• Battery Systems and Monitoring Services: While battery systems are not covered by the typical solar panel warranty, we can still provide support and guidance in choosing and installing a new battery storage system or setting up enhanced monitoring systems.

Conclusion

Solar energy systems are a fantastic long-term investment, and a solid warranty ensures that your investment is protected. At Belmont Solar, we take pride in offering our Triple Ten Warranty, which guarantees complete coverage for your solar installation for 10 years. We also provide a 25-year limited warranty on key components like the solar panels and Tough Trac racking system, ensuring peace of mind for a quarter-century.

If your warranty ever runs out or you need assistance with your system, Belmont Solar is here to help. Whether we installed your system or not, we can provide diagnostics, repairs, upgrades, and ongoing maintenance to ensure your solar system performs at its best.

With Belmont Solar, you’re not just purchasing solar panels, you’re investing in lasting peace of mind.