Who Handles Solar Warranty Claims?
Solar warranty claims are usually coordinated first by the solar company that sold or installed the system. However, the party ultimately responsible depends on the type of problem. Installation and workmanship issues are generally handled by the installer, while defective solar panels, inverters and other equipment may be covered by the relevant manufacturer or authorised distributor.
Who Should Handle a Solar Warranty Claim First?
The first point of contact should usually be the company named in your solar installation contract, invoice, workmanship warranty or maintenance agreement.
Even where a component carries a manufacturer warranty, the installer is often best placed to inspect the system, collect error logs, test the electrical installation and determine whether the problem is caused by the equipment or by another part of the system.
Installation Problem
Contact the installer responsible for workmanship, wiring, mounting, waterproofing, protection settings and commissioning.
Equipment Defect
The manufacturer or authorised distributor normally evaluates product defects, usually through the installer.
Performance Concern
The installer should first check shading, dirt, downtime, system design, monitoring data and equipment performance.
Maintenance Issue
The appointed operations and maintenance provider should respond where a valid O&M agreement is in place.
What Types of Solar Warranties May Apply?
Which Claims Are Usually Handled by the Solar Installer?
- Loose or incorrectly terminated electrical connections
- Improper cable routing or support
- Incorrect inverter configuration
- Incorrect protection-device settings
- Mounting-system installation defects
- Roof-penetration sealing issues
- Water leakage linked to installation work
- Incomplete system commissioning
- Monitoring system not configured correctly
- Incorrect labelling or documentation
- Failure to install contracted equipment
- Defects covered by workmanship warranty
- Diagnosis before a manufacturer claim
- Removal and replacement of defective components
- Coordination with equipment suppliers
- Submission of technical claim evidence
Which Claims Are Usually Decided by the Manufacturer?
The equipment manufacturer normally decides whether a product failure or performance concern meets the manufacturer’s warranty terms.
| Equipment | Typical Manufacturer Claim | Evidence Commonly Required |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panel | Manufacturing defect, junction-box fault, abnormal delamination or output below the warranted threshold | Serial number, photographs, electrical test data, installation date and system records |
| Solar Inverter | Internal hardware failure, repeated eligible fault or inability to operate within specification | Serial number, error codes, event logs, firmware version and electrical readings |
| Battery System | Eligible capacity loss, internal fault or failure within the stated cycle or throughput limits | Usage history, operating data, cycle count, system logs and installation details |
| Optimiser or Microinverter | Unit failure, communication fault or output failure covered by product terms | Device identifier, monitoring screenshots, test results and installation information |
What Is the Role of the Local Distributor?
A local distributor may act as the link between the installer and an overseas manufacturer. Depending on the supply arrangement, the distributor may verify serial numbers, review claim documents, provide replacement stock or coordinate shipment to and from the manufacturer.
Serial-Number Verification
Confirms that the equipment was supplied through an authorised local channel and is eligible for regional support.
Technical Screening
Reviews error information and technical evidence before referring the claim to the manufacturer.
Replacement Coordination
May provide replacement equipment locally after the claim is approved.
Logistics Support
May coordinate delivery, collection or return of defective equipment.
Who Handles Claims under a Solar Lease, PPA or Financing Arrangement?
The correct party depends on who owns the system and what the financing or energy agreement says.
| Arrangement | Typical System Owner | Likely First Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Purchase | Property owner | Installer or contracted O&M provider |
| Solar Loan | Usually the property owner, subject to financing documents | Installer; lender normally does not perform technical repairs |
| Solar Lease | Depends on the lease agreement | Leasing company or its appointed service provider |
| Power Purchase Agreement | Solar investor or asset owner | Investor, asset manager or appointed O&M contractor |
How Does a Solar Warranty Claim Usually Work?
Report the Problem
Contact the installer or service provider and provide the site, system and fault details.
Remote Review
The provider may review monitoring data, inverter logs, alerts and recent generation history.
Site Inspection
A technician inspects the installation and tests the relevant components where necessary.
Identify the Responsible Warranty
The provider determines whether the issue relates to workmanship, equipment, maintenance, external damage or an excluded condition.
Submit Supporting Evidence
Serial numbers, photographs, test results, error logs and installation records are submitted to the relevant warranty party.
Repair or Replacement
After approval, the provider coordinates repair, replacement, reinstallation, testing and recommissioning.
What Documents Are Usually Needed for a Warranty Claim?
- Solar installation contract
- Original invoice or proof of purchase
- Workmanship warranty document
- Manufacturer warranty certificate
- System handover documents
- Installation and commissioning date
- Equipment brand and model
- Equipment serial numbers
- Photographs of the affected equipment
- Error-code screenshots
- Monitoring portal screenshots
- Generation history
- Electrical test results
- Maintenance history
- Site-inspection report
- Proof of authorised installation, where required
- Previous repair records
- Contact details of the system owner
What May Not Be Covered by a Solar Warranty?
- Normal solar panel degradation within specification
- Dirt, dust, leaves or bird droppings
- Shading from new trees or nearby construction
- Damage caused by animals or pests
- Unauthorised system modification
- Work performed by an unauthorised contractor
- Lightning or surge damage outside warranty terms
- Flood, fire or extreme-weather damage
- Roof movement unrelated to solar workmanship
- Grid outage or voltage issue outside equipment responsibility
- Internet or router failure affecting monitoring
- Failure to perform required maintenance
- Improper operating environment
- Failure outside stated cycle or throughput limits
- Cosmetic changes that do not affect operation
- Transport, labour or access costs excluded by the warranty
Who Handles a Solar Panel Performance Warranty Claim?
A panel performance claim normally requires more evidence than simply comparing one month’s generation against a sales estimate. The installer or an independent qualified party may need to test the panel or array and determine whether output is below the manufacturer’s warranted degradation curve.
| Possible Cause of Low Generation | Likely Treatment |
|---|---|
| Cloudy or rainy weather | Usually not a warranty defect |
| Dirty panels | Usually a maintenance issue |
| New shading | Usually a site-condition issue |
| Inverter downtime | May involve inverter, grid or installation diagnosis |
| Panel output below warranted specification | May qualify for a manufacturer performance claim after testing |
Who Pays the Labour and Replacement Costs?
Cost responsibility depends on the warranty wording and the reason for the failure.
What Happens If the Original Solar Installer Has Closed?
A manufacturer warranty may remain valid even if the installer is no longer operating, but the system owner may need to appoint another qualified solar company to inspect the system and prepare the technical claim.
Check the Manufacturer
Contact the manufacturer or authorised Malaysian distributor using the equipment model and serial number.
Appoint a New Service Provider
A new solar contractor may diagnose the system and support the claim, usually on a chargeable basis.
Review the Warranty Transfer Rules
Some warranties follow the equipment, while others require registration, proof of purchase or an authorised installation.
Expect Possible Labour Costs
A replacement component may be free while diagnosis, transport and installation are chargeable.
What Is Solar100’s Role in a Warranty Claim?
| Solar100 | Solar Provider, Manufacturer or Service Party |
|---|---|
| Explains the general warranty-claim process | Inspects and diagnoses the solar system |
| Helps identify which participating provider to contact | Determines the technical cause of the failure |
| May help organise communication with a participating provider | Submits and manages the formal warranty claim |
| Does not approve manufacturer warranty claims | Accepts or rejects claims under the applicable warranty |
| Does not perform repairs or replacement work | Performs or coordinates repairs, replacement and testing |
| Does not guarantee claim approval or response time | Provides obligations according to its contract and warranty |
What Should You Ask about Solar Warranties before Buying?
- Who is my first contact if the system fails?
- How long is the installer’s workmanship warranty?
- What exactly does the workmanship warranty cover?
- Which company handles roof-leak claims?
- Who submits panel and inverter warranty claims?
- Is the equipment supplied through an authorised distributor?
- Is the manufacturer warranty registered in my name?
- Does the warranty transfer to a new property owner?
- Are labour and transport covered?
- Are scaffolding and lifting costs covered?
- Who pays for site inspection?
- Who pays for removal and reinstallation?
- Is replacement equipment new or refurbished?
- How long can claim approval take?
- Is temporary replacement equipment available?
- What happens if the installer closes?
- Who provides O&M support after the workmanship warranty ends?
- Which events are excluded from warranty coverage?
- What documents must the owner keep?
- How are disputes escalated?
What Information Should Be Prepared before Reporting a Claim?
- Property address
- System owner’s name
- Installer’s company name
- Installation date
- Solar-system capacity
- Equipment brands and models
- Equipment serial numbers
- Original invoice
- Installation contract
- Warranty certificates
- Description of the problem
- Date the problem started
- Inverter error codes
- Monitoring screenshots
- Photographs or videos
- Recent generation history
- Maintenance history
- Previous repair records
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I contact first for a solar warranty claim?
Contact the solar installer, seller or service provider named in your contract first so the system can be inspected and the responsible warranty identified.
Who handles solar workmanship claims?
Workmanship claims are generally handled by the installer that performed the installation, subject to its workmanship warranty.
Who approves a solar panel or inverter product claim?
The manufacturer or its authorised warranty administrator normally approves or rejects product warranty claims.
Does a product warranty include installation labour?
Not always. A manufacturer may supply a replacement component while inspection, transport, removal and reinstallation remain chargeable.
What if the original installer is no longer operating?
The owner may contact the manufacturer or authorised distributor and appoint another qualified solar provider to diagnose and support the claim.
Does Solar100 approve solar warranty claims?
No. Solar100 may help users identify or contact a participating provider, but approval remains with the installer, manufacturer or other warranty provider.
Need Help Identifying Who Should Handle Your Solar Issue?
Send your installation contract, equipment details, warranty documents, error codes, monitoring screenshots and a description of the problem so the appropriate participating solar provider can review the next steps.
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