Understanding how solar and battery warranties work is essential to protecting your investment. Today’s panels often carry warranties of 25–30 years, and most will operate well beyond that. But a solar array is far more than its panels, and each component comes with its own warranty, terms, and limitations. Workmanship warranties add even more dimensions. When you factor in Arizona’s extreme heat, dust, and monsoon seasons, it becomes even more important to know exactly how your system is covered and what to expect if your system goes down.
Unfortunately, most warranties sound similar but behave very differently in practice. Many customers don’t realize that warranties come from multiple sources, apply to different parts of the system, and rarely cover labor beyond the installer’s workmanship terms. Things like production guarantees and warranty transfers in the event of a sale are also worth asking about.
This guide breaks down a typical solar warranty ecosystem in clear, approachable language — from solar panels to batteries, and from manufacturer protections to workmanship coverage. It also includes an overview of production guarantees, the unique impact of Arizona’s climate, and an example of how to transfer a warranty to a new homeowner based on the official Sun Valley Solar Solutions process.
Read More: Sun Valley Solar Warranty Summary
Whether your system is brand new or more than a decade old, understanding these warranty layers will help you protect your investment and make informed decisions if issues arise.
Most solar energy systems come with warranty coverage that falls into three main categories. They overlap in some ways, but each one exists to protect a different part of your system’s long, productive life.
Manufacturer’s Warranty (OEM, or Product Warranty): The most familiar warranty is the manufacturer’s product warranty, issued by the companies that build the panels, inverters, optimizers, batteries, and other hardware. It protects against defects in the equipment itself — such as a panel that delaminates, an inverter with an internal failure, or a microinverter that dies prematurely. Coverage terms vary by component: typically 15–30 years for panels, 10–15 years for inverters, and around 10 years for batteries. Extended warranties may be available for some products, depending on the manufacturer. What many homeowners don’t realize is that these warranties almost always cover the part only. Labor to diagnose the issue, remove the failed component, or install the replacement is usually separate, and those distinctions are spelled out in the exclusions section of each manufacturer’s warranty details.
Performance Warranty: Next up is the performance warranty, which has nothing to do with hardware defects and everything to do with long-term power output. Solar panels naturally degrade over time, but the rate at which that happens is slow and largely predictable. For this reason, solar panel manufacturers typically include a performance warranty guaranteeing that after 25–30 years, each panel will still produce a defined percentage of its original output — typically in the 80–88% range. It’s important to understand this is NOT a guarantee of how much electricity your system will generate in the real world, because shading, weather, dust, utility conditions, and roof layout all impact actual production. Instead, it’s a promise that the panel itself will maintain a healthy and expected output curve over its lifetime.
Workmanship Warranty: Finally, there is the workmanship warranty, which comes from the installer rather than the manufacturer. If the product warranty protects the hardware and the performance warranty protects the long-term efficiency of the panels, then the workmanship warranty protects the installation itself — the part of the system only your installer controls. This includes how the system was wired, how the conduit was secured, how roof penetrations were sealed, and how the entire array was integrated into your home’s electrical infrastructure. It’s also where Sun Valley Solar Solutions’ Platinum Installation Methodology sets us apart. Every system we install is built using elevated standards for engineering, mounting, wiring, and roof protection that exceed basic code requirements and reflect nearly two decades of experience designing for Arizona’s extreme climate.
Sun Valley Solar Solutions provides a 10-year workmanship warranty as outlined in our official Warranty Summary document. This is your protection against issues caused by installation errors rather than equipment defects.
As an extension to our workmanship warranty, Sun Valley Solar also includes a 24-month Quality Assurance period that covers diagnostic and local trip fees for equipment-related issues that may not fall under an OEM warranty. For the first two years after system commissioning, SVSS absorbs the cost of sending a technician to diagnose and optimize equipment failures associated with components we installed, even when the manufacturer doesn’t cover labor. This ensures that early-life issues are resolved quickly and at no additional cost to you. After the 24-month period, diagnostic and trip fees revert to standard terms outlined by the OEM warranty. These details are also documented in our Warranty Summary (page 2)
Together, the Platinum Installation Methodology, 10-year workmanship warranty, and 24-month Quality Assurance period create a higher level of protection and peace of mind than standard industry coverage. It’s a layered approach designed specifically for Arizona conditions — and one more reason our systems continue performing reliably long after the initial install.
Battery warranties operate differently than panel warranties because home batteries are fundamentally a different kind of technology. A modern energy storage system, such as a Tesla Powerwall, is essentially a tightly integrated system of thousands of lithium cells, thermal management controls, software, communication circuits, power electronics, safety systems, and a battery management system all working together. In short, there’s a lot more going on inside a battery, and many more moving parts than a typical solar panel. This makes battery warranties broader and more technical in scope.
Most battery warranties cover a period of 10 years, and many also include a “throughput limit,” meaning the total amount of energy you can cycle through the battery over its lifetime. Once you reach the time limit or the throughput threshold, the warranty is considered fulfilled. These warranties protect you against failures caused by manufacturing defects — for example, if the battery’s internal monitoring system stops functioning correctly or if a hardware component fails unexpectedly.
However, battery warranties, like most manufacturer warranties, often don’t cover the labor involved in troubleshooting, or replacement of a component- even if the component itself is covered. And because batteries interact with backup circuits, gateway devices, and your home’s main electrical panel, diagnosing an issue often requires an onsite evaluation to determine whether it’s a true warrantied failure or a result of environmental factors, user settings, excessive heat exposure, or external electrical conditions.
Arizona’s extreme climate adds an extra layer of complexity. High sustained temperatures can stress a battery, even when the battery is operating within its designed temperature range. Manufacturers expect some degradation over time, and often account for this in their warranty terms, but heat-related stress is not considered a defect. This is why we try to avoid mounting batteries on south- or west-facing exterior walls with heavy sun exposure, and generally recommend placing them in the garage whenever possible.
For homeowners, the key takeaway is that battery warranties provide strong protection against defect-based failures, but they are not performance guarantees and they do not promise zero degradation.
Production guarantees are most commonly offered on leased solar systems or power purchase agreements (PPAs). Together, these are known as Third-Party Ownership (TPO) models, where the homeowner doesn’t own the solar equipment — they simply purchase the electricity it produces. Because you’re essentially paying for system output, TPO providers often include a guarantee that the system will generate a minimum amount of energy each year. If production falls short, the provider typically issues a credit or cash adjustment, which can make leasing more appealing for some homeowners.
Purchased systems, however, generally do not include production guarantees. Instead, the energy estimates provided during the sales process are generated using industry-standard modeling software and long-term weather data. When done correctly, these projections are quite accurate and useful for evaluating ROI, but they remain estimates rather than guarantees. Real-world production is influenced by factors that are difficult to predict and outside any installer’s control — including weather, shading from growing trees, dust accumulation, pigeon intrusion, utility rate changes, and shifts in household energy usage — which is why production guarantees are not typically part of the standard ownership model.
The most common point of confusion for long-term solar owners is why labor isn’t always included in warranty coverage. Manufacturer warranties almost always cover the part during their warranty period, bot often exclude labor and diagnostics fees. Workmanship warranties are offered by the solar installer, and generally cover the installation only — things like roof penetrations, wiring, conduit runs, and how the system was integrated into your electrical panel. This structure is pretty standard across the solar industry, HVAC industry, roofing industry, and nearly every home technology category.
Sun Valley Solar Solutions backs every installation with a 10-year limited workmanship warranty. We also provide a 24-month Quality Assurance period during which diagnostic and labor fees associated with equipment failures are covered — a valuable benefit, since most manufacturer warranties exclude labor and diagnostic costs. After the 24-month period ends, diagnostic and travel fees revert to the manufacturer’s standard warranty terms. Any issues related to installation quality, however, remain covered under our 10-year workmanship warranty.
Identifying the exact cause of an issue—and determining which warranty applies—usually requires a full on-site assessment. Manufacturers often request the technician’s report before deciding what is or isn’t covered. Because of this, any over-the-phone guidance is often preliminary, and homeowners may need to wait a few days for confirmation how much of a repair falls under the warranty umbrella.
Many Arizona homeowners eventually sell a home that’s equipped with solar panels and batteries. When that happens, it may be possible to transfer the balance of a workmanship warranty, or manufacturers warranty to the new owner. Every company has their own procedure for transferring a warranty.
Here’s how Sun Valley Solar Solutions handles the warranty transfer process.
The inspection must fall within a strict timeline:
No earlier than 60 days before the sale
No later than 60 days after closing
SVSS will assist with any OEM warranty claims for equipment-related repairs.
For non-warrantied items, SVSS provides itemized estimates so the appropriate party (buyer or seller) can approve the work.
For homeowners preparing to sell, it’s smart to notify SVSS early in the process so the inspection and transfer can be completed smoothly.
Read More: Sun Valley Solar Warranty Summary
Arizona’s extreme environment has a direct impact on solar and battery systems, which is why warranties and workmanship quality are even more important here. High heat accelerates thermal expansion and contraction of wiring, connectors, and inverter components. Dust and airborne debris increase abrasion on panels and can infiltrate exposed cooling fans, connectors or mechanical joints. Monsoon winds test racking systems and roof penetrations. And prolonged exposure to UV radiation affects everything from plastic housings to junction boxes.
A solar system that might go 15 years without a service call in a cooler climate may require occasional maintenance in Arizona, especially during years 8 through 12 when things like wiring and conduit seals may begin to experience normal aging. This isn’t a sign of poor installation or poor equipment performance — it’s simply the reality of operating sophisticated electrical equipment outdoors in one of the harshest climates in the country.
Understanding these environmental realities helps set the right long-term expectations and illustrates why a strong workmanship warranty offered by a stable solar installer with a strong history matters as much as the equipment itself.
Unfortunately, it’s more common than many homeowners realize: far too many solar companies come and go, leaving their customers without support, without warranty guidance, and with no one to call when something goes wrong.
If you learn that your installer has closed its doors, the first step is to gather your system documentation, including contracts, equipment lists, monitoring access, and warranty information. These documents will help you work directly with manufacturers, who often still honor product warranties even if the original installer is gone. It’s also important to find a new qualified solar service provider who can safely diagnose issues, manage repairs, and help you reestablish ongoing manufacturer support for your system.
Sadly, this situation is something we see far too often. It’s also one of the reasons our Sun Valley Solar Solutions service team has grown dramatically in recent years. We’ve welcomed hundreds of “orphaned” solar customers whose installers disappeared. As a 20-year solar veteran here in the Valley, we have a long-standing reputation for stability, responsible business practices, and long-term commitment to our customers. We believe strongly in advocating for this industry and helping homeowners get the support they need—whether we installed the system or not.
For homeowners searching for a new service partner, choosing an established company with in-house technicians, strong manufacturer relationships, and a local presence can make all the difference. And for those already part of the Sun Valley Solar family, know that our commitment to long-term service is one of the cornerstones of our business.
For more guidance, read: What to Do If Your Solar Panel Company Goes Out of Business
If you’re shopping for solar, understanding warranties is one of the most important steps in choosing the right installer. Look for companies that provide clear, transparent, written workmanship terms, use reputable manufacturers with proven product and performance warranties, and have a dedicated in-house service department—not outsourced labor—so your system is supported long after installation.
For our existing customers, know that you’re in good hands. Sun Valley Solar Solutions maintains a fully staffed, in-house service team trained to support every system we install. Whether you have questions about your warranty, need help preparing for a home sale, or simply want to ensure your solar and battery system continues delivering reliable performance in Arizona’s extreme climate, we’re always just a call away and ready to help.