Is My Solar Warranty Void If the Installer Went Bankrupt?

Short answer: usually only part of it. A solar system comes with several separate warranties. The ones from the equipment makers – panels, inverters, batteries – generally stay valid when the installer goes out of business, because the manufacturer, not the installer, made the promise. The workmanship warranty – the installer’s promise about its own work, such as roof penetrations and wiring – normally ends with the company, unless another business takes it over.

The warranties on a typical home solar system

Warranty	Who gives it	After the installer closes
Panel product and performance	Panel manufacturer	Generally still valid
Inverter or microinverter	Inverter manufacturer	Generally still valid
Battery	Battery manufacturer	Generally still valid
Workmanship / installation	Installer	Usually ends, unless a successor or third-party warranty provider took it over
Production or performance guarantee	Lease/PPA provider or installer	Depends on who owns the contract now

For example, Enphase’s IQ8 microinverters carry a 25-year limited warranty from Enphase, and EnergySage reports a 25-year product and performance warranty on Qcells residential panels. Those promises come from the manufacturers. Workmanship warranties are shorter and vary a lot – EcoWatch reports 25 years at one regional installer and 5 years at another.

What happened in recent bankruptcies

When SunPower Corporation went bankrupt in August 2024, EnergySage reported that owners of systems energized before 30 September 2024 should contact their lender for warranty guidance, while equipment manufacturer warranties are separate and generally still honored. Leased and PPA systems from SunPower moved to a new servicer, SunStrong Management. See our solar orphans guide for each closed company.

How to find out which warranties you have

1. Find your contract and system documents. The equipment list names the panel, inverter and battery models. Download anything from the installer’s customer portal before it closes.
2. Look up each manufacturer’s warranty for the exact model. Note the length and whether it covers labor or only parts.
3. Check whether a third party backs the workmanship warranty. Some installers buy warranty coverage from an outside company; if so, it may survive the bankruptcy.
4. If you lease or have a PPA, read the maintenance and performance sections: the system owner is normally responsible for repairs, not you.

How to make a warranty claim without the installer

Manufacturers usually require the claim to come from, or be supported by, a qualified installer who can diagnose the fault. Hire a licensed local solar company, ask whether they will handle the claim, and ask what they charge for labor – many equipment warranties cover the replacement part but not the cost of removing and reinstalling it. Our guide on filing a solar warranty claim walks through the steps.

Protect yourself next time

• Ask whether the workmanship warranty is backed by a third party if the installer closes.
• Choose equipment from manufacturers with long warranties and a US presence.
• Keep every document – contract, permit, equipment list, serial numbers – outside the installer’s portal.

Owned, financed or leased: how it changes the answer

Paid cash or took a loan: you own the equipment, so the manufacturer warranties are yours to use. You will need to pay a new installer for diagnosis and labor where the warranty does not cover it. Your lender is not responsible for repairs, but some lenders give warranty guidance after an installer closes – EnergySage reported that owners of older SunPower systems were told to contact their lender.

Lease or PPA: the company that owns the system holds the warranties and is usually responsible for repairs under your agreement. Your job is to report problems in writing and keep records, not to hire repairers yourself.

Sample email to a manufacturer

Some manufacturers will tell homeowners how to start a claim or which local partners they work with. A short, factual email helps:

Subject: Warranty support – installer no longer in business
Hello, my solar system was installed by [installer], which has closed. Equipment: [model numbers and serial numbers]. Installed: [date]. Problem: [what you see, e.g. inverter error code, panels offline in the app since date]. Please tell me how to open a warranty claim and whether you have authorized service partners near [ZIP code]. Photos attached. Thank you, [name, address, phone].

Common questions homeowners run into

• “My equipment was never registered.” Ask the manufacturer whether you can register it now with your proof of purchase and install date.
• “The new installer wants to replace everything.” Ask for a written diagnosis showing what has failed, and get a second opinion before replacing working equipment.
• “My roof leaks under the panels.” That is normally a workmanship issue. If the installer is gone, document the damage and talk to your homeowner’s insurer and a roofer who works with solar.

Checklist: keep these documents

• Signed contract and any change orders
• Equipment list with model and serial numbers
• Permit number and final inspection record
• Utility permission-to-operate letter
• Manufacturer warranty documents for each component
• Monitoring login details and a recent production export