Three different promises
Equipment warranties come from the manufacturer. Workmanship warranties come from the installer. A paid third-party warranty is a separate product — sometimes useful, sometimes a duplicate of coverage you already have.
What to confirm
Are the panel, inverter, and battery warranties the ones that belong to the models on the page? Does workmanship cover roof leaks related to the install, and for how long? If you sell the home, can the coverage transfer?
Extras
If you are on a lease, ask whether a paid warranty duplicates the lessor’s obligations. Paying twice for the same promise is a cost, not a benefit.
Make a coverage checklist for the exact equipment
The FTC distinguishes equipment warranties from installation workmanship coverage. Obtain the terms for each rather than relying on a single advertised duration. FTC: Solar Power for Your Home (U.S. consumer guidance, April 2022)
Illustrative example: a failed inverter might qualify for a replacement part while the labor needed to remove and reinstall it is handled separately. Read the actual terms to establish who pays; the length of a warranty does not answer that question.
- Save the manufacturer terms that match your model numbers.
- Ask who handles a claim if the installer stops operating.
- Compare paid extras against existing coverage before purchasing them.
| Coverage | Record these details |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Exact model, provider, term, exclusions, and claim process |
| Workmanship | Installer obligations, roof-related coverage, and duration |
| Service costs | Labor, shipping, diagnostics, and removal/reinstallation |
| Transfer | New-owner eligibility, fees, and notice requirements |