Posted Monday, January 9, 2017

What’s the Skinny on Solar Panel Warranties?

When it comes to the design, installation and ongoing maintenance of your solar panel system, one of the things you may not have considered is whether or not to purchase a warranty in addition to the one that is included. Buying an extended warranty beyond the manufacturer’s included warranty can mean lower costs in the future, as older panels can be more prone to damage than newer ones. Most manufacturers offer a warranty on their panels that is roughly 10-20 years, but this does depend on the manufacturer and not all of them offer the same warranty.

Remember that even if you do purchase a warranty against manufacturer defects, this does not protect you from damage caused by hail, falling debris or other environmental factors. Typically, manufacturer’s warranties are only in place to protect the consumer from panels and wiring that fail because of a fault in the manufacturing process. Because this may be difficult to prove in cases of environmental damage, it’s best to be safe and get the highest level warranty available and if possible opt for insured warranties. Insured warranties can sometimes include insurance against the unforeseen, like a tree falling on your solar panels.

Remember also that if you are covered by a warranty and something happens to your panels or connected system, it’s going to take at least a few days to a few weeks in order to file a claim and to get your replacement equipment shipped out to you. When evaluating the terms of your warranty, be sure to check to see if you will be liable for any shipping charges if the time does come to have to file a warranty claim.

Urban Solar is your trusted resource for all things solar, whether residential or commercial. If you have questions related to solar power for your home or other building, then contact us today and ask about our energy assessment. It’s completely free and can be completed in as little as a few hours in some cases. Solar power for your home is nothing to take lightly, so let the pros at Urban Solar be the installers you can rely on for trusted expertise to get the job done right.