At Sun Valley Solar Solutions, we believe that a solar investment is about much more than just panels and batteries—it’s about peace of mind. That’s why we work hard to educate our customers up front so they can make fully informed and confident decisions. For us, transparency isn’t a sales pitch—it’s the cornerstone of the long-term relationships we’re proud to build with our customers.
Unlike many solar companies that rely on “hired-gun” salespeople focused on quick commissions, our team is committed to long-term customer relationships built on trust and mutual success. We know that the real measure of a great solar partner isn’t just how the system performs on day one, but how it’s supported in year ten, fifteen, and beyond.
Warranties are a big part of that support—but they can be complicated. From workmanship coverage to manufacturer (OEM) protections, performance guarantees, and even diagnostic fees, the fine print isn’t always easy to navigate. This guide breaks down how solar warranties typically work, including what’s included (and what isn’t), and explains what to know whether you own or lease your system.
A workmanship warranty covers how the system was installed, not the components themselves. Typically a workmanship warranty that covers things like installation techniques, assembly defects, roof penetrations, wiring, junction boxes, conduit, and other ancillary components. This means if an issue arises because of how the system was installed—not the equipment itself—the installer will address those issues and make it right. At Sun Valley Solar Solutions (SVSS), we provide a 10-year workmanship warranty that can be transferred to a new owner if the home is sold before the warranty expires.
OEM warranties cover the components: solar panels, inverters, batteries, racking and demand managers. Panels typically carry a 25-30 year warranty, while inverters and batteries often range from 10–12 years, sometimes longer with extended coverage. SVSS administers manufacturer warranties on behalf of our customer, using our own in-house service team based right here in Arizona.
Solar Panels – Most panels include both a product warranty, which covers defects and failures, and a performance warranty, which guarantees 80–85% of original output after 20–25 years.
Inverters – Inverters are the “brains” of the system, converting DC to AC power. They typically carry a 10–12 year warranty, though extended coverage is sometimes available, depending on the manufacturer.
Batteries – Battery warranties are often written in terms of both time (10 years is typical) and cycles, or the total number of times the battery was charged and discharged. Once the earlier limit is reached, the warranty ends—even if the battery is still functional.
Other Components – Items like monitoring equipment, demand managers, optimizers and even racking each have their own OEM warranty terms, typically shorter than panels.
This is where many homeowners are caught off guard. Manufacturer and workmanship warranties generally cover only parts and labor for qualifying issues—not the diagnostic fees required to troubleshoot a system. As a result, those fees are usually passed on to the homeowner. In rare cases, they may be reimbursed if the failure is proven to be a manufacturer defect, but more often the homeowner is responsible for the cost of diagnosing the problem.
At SVSS, we do things a little better:
This distinction is critical: a manufacturer may send you a replacement inverter, but you could still be responsible for the labor and trip charges to install it. Since coverage varies by manufacturer, it’s important to do your research—or better yet, work with a trustworthy solar partner who will clearly explain these details and help you make an informed decision.
One of the biggest warranty differences comes down to ownership vs. leasing. Let’s take a closer look at how these two ownership scenarios deliver different warranty and support options.
When you own your solar system, your coverage is only as strong as the combination of OEM warranties (for equipment) and your installer’s workmanship warranty (for installation quality). Once those expire—10 years for workmanship, 10–25 years depending on the hardware—you are responsible for all service costs. For example, a Tesla Powerwall comes with a 10-year warranty from Tesla. Once that expires, the battery is no longer covered, even if it still has years of useful life left.
A leased system, on the other hand, is typically covered for the full duration of the lease, which is typically 20 years. The leasing company owns the system, so they are motivated to maintain performance and keep the system producing optimally. This usually includes:
In short, leases typically provide broader and longer coverage than owned systems. While ownership delivers the financial upside once the system is paid off, a lease can deliver a stronger sense of long-term protection and predictability.
Read More: Leasing Vs. Buying Solar Panels or Batteries - Which is Best for You?
Let’s imagine a homeowner with a 10 kW solar array and one Tesla Powerwall.
This example illustrates why leases often feel “safer” to some homeowners, even if ownership may offer better long-term savings and system expandability.
Unfortunately, many solar installers don’t stay in business long term. When a company shuts down or pulls out of a territory, its entire customer base is left without a partner to turn to for warranty support. In the solar industry, these homeowners are often referred to as “orphaned” customers.
As one of Arizona’s oldest and most established solar providers, we’ve seen this situation play out time and again. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons our service department has become the largest department in our company. Over the past several years, we’ve expanded significantly to support orphaned solar customers from across the state. We’re happy to step in and help—because at Sun Valley Solar Solutions, we endeavor to be good stewards of solar as an industry. We believe solar is critical to Arizona’s energy future and to the health of our planet, so supporting solar homeowners in need is simply part of our DNA.
With that said, before we perform any repair or warranty work on a system we didn’t install, we always conduct a comprehensive inspection before identifying and addressing any specific service related issues. OEM warranties, and provide a clear, accurate plan for moving forward.
Why?
Solar systems add value to your home. That value is even greater if OEM and/or workmanship warranties can be transferred to a new homeowner at the time of sale. Most installers address this issue slightly differently. At SVSS:
For OEM warranties, most transfer automatically with the solar system, though some manufacturers require paperwork or a registration update to finalize the transfer.
For leased systems, the process works differently. The buyer must either assume the lease (taking over the payments and benefits of the service coverage) or the seller must buy out the lease before the sale. In the event of a buyout, the enhanced service and performance coverage provided under the lease typically ends, and the system reverts to the remaining OEM warranties only. This can be a big change, since the 20-year lease coverage often includes service and performance guarantees that OEM warranties alone don’t provide.
Even the best warranties have exclusions, although they are not often readily shared beyond the fine print. In most cases, neither workmanship nor OEM coverage applies to:
Read More: Sun Valley Solar Warranty Summary
Not every solar company has a true in-house service department. Many “sales-first” companies outsource their installations—and then outsource warranty work again to third parties. In those cases, responsibility becomes murky, finger-pointing is common, and the homeowner is left stuck in the middle.
At Sun Valley Solar Solutions, we’ve taken a different approach from day one. Since our founding in 2006, we’ve been a fully integrated team—from sales, to installation, to service. Everyone you interact with is a direct employee, and we all live and work right here in Arizona. That structure gives us complete accountability and the ability to stand behind every system we install.
Our dedicated service department is one of the largest in the state and is focused entirely on warranty claims, repairs, and system optimization.
Why this matters:
“When you call us, you’re not calling a national call center—you’re reaching your neighbors. We are proudly Arizona.”
If you’re buying or selling a home with solar, here’s what to look for:
Solar warranties are designed to give homeowners confidence—but only if you understand how they work and only when backed by a reputable and stable solar partner. At SVSS, we go beyond industry minimums with a 10-year workmanship warranty, a 24-month Quality Assurance period that covers trip and diagnostic fees, and full support in managing OEM claims on our customers’ behalf.
Leased systems typically offer the longest, most comprehensive coverage—including service and performance guarantees for 20 years—while owned systems rely on a mix of OEM and workmanship warranties. The best choice comes down to your financial goals, risk tolerance, and how much peace of mind you want built into your solar journey.
Thinking about solar—or need service on your current system? Contact Sun Valley Solar Solutions today to schedule an inspection or consultation. Call (480) 689-5050 or Contact Us