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NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
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Solar panels have two warranties:product (manufacturing defects, 25–30 years) and performance (guaranteed output, typically 87% at year 25). Inverters are warrantied separately (12–25 years). Installation workmanship and roof-penetration coverage have separate terms in your signed agreement; neither is a warranty on the entire roof. Always verify who handles warranty claims: manufacturer, installer, or financing company.
Product, performance, and workmanship warranties explained. Panel and inverter comparisons, claim procedures, common exclusions, and what happens if your installer goes out of business.
A complete solar warranty has three layers. Most homeowners only ask about the panel warranty, but the workmanship warrantyis often the most important for long-term protection — and varies the most between installers.
25-30 years (panel); 10-25 years (inverter)
Covers
Manufacturing defects, material failures, premature hardware breakdown
Does NOT Cover
Physical damage from storms, unauthorized modifications, cosmetic issues
25-30 years (linear or stepped)
Covers
Guaranteed minimum power output (e.g., 87% at year 25)
Does NOT Cover
Output loss from shading, dirt, or system design issues
1-25 years (varies dramatically by installer)
Covers
Installation defects such as wiring or mounting failures, under the signed agreement; roof penetrations have separate terms
Does NOT Cover
Entire-roof coverage, existing roof conditions, unrelated roof repairs, or equipment manufacturer obligations
NuWatt’s workmanship warranty covers defects in our solar installation under your signed agreement. Coverage for roof penetrations NuWatt makes is separate, with its own duration and limits. Equipment manufacturer warranties are separate. Coverage varies by product and financing; your signed agreement states the applicable terms. Existing roof or structural conditions and repairs unrelated to our installation are outside solar coverage unless expressly included in the contracted scope. Any roofing contractor or roofing-material manufacturer warranty is separate.
NuWatt offers three panel tiers, each from a Tier 1 manufacturer with strong warranty backing. The table below compares their warranty terms side by side.
| Panel | Product | Performance | Yr 25 Output | Degradation | Claims |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai HiE-S440VG440W | 25 yr | 25 yr | 86.5% | 0.50%/yr | Hyundai direct |
| Silfab SIL-440-BG440W | 30 yr | 30 yr | 87.6% | 0.40%/yr | Silfab direct (US HQ) |
| REC Alpha Pure-R 460460W | 25 yr | 25 yr | 92.0% | 0.25%/yr | REC ProTrust / REC direct |
Best performance guarantee; lowest degradation in class
Inverters have shorter warranties than panels because they contain more active electronic components. The biggest decision is whether to extend your string inverter warrantyat time of purchase — it is significantly cheaper than replacing the unit later.
| Model | Type | Base Warranty | Extendable | Extension Cost | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enphase IQ8+ | Microinverter | 25 years | N/A (already 25yr) | — | Included (Enlighten) |
| SolarEdge HD-Wave | String + Optimizers | 12 years | Yes, to 20 or 25 years | ~$150-200 | Included (mySolarEdge) |
| SMA Sunny Boy | String Inverter | 10 years | Yes, to 15 or 20 years | ~$200-350 | Included (Sunny Portal) |
Always extend your SolarEdge warranty to 25 years at installation.The $150–$200 cost is a fraction of the $2,000–$3,500 replacement cost if the inverter fails at year 13. For Enphase IQ8 microinverters, no extension is needed — you get 25 years standard.
The answer depends on how you financed your system. Leases and PPAs shift warranty responsibility to the financing company, while owned systems require you to work with the manufacturer and installer directly.
Who Handles It
Manufacturer (product/performance) + Installer (workmanship)
Process
Contact manufacturer directly or through installer. Manufacturer ships replacement; installer handles labor.
Risk Level
If installer goes out of business, you handle labor cost for manufacturer warranty claims.
Who Handles It
Lease company handles everything
Process
Call lease company. They coordinate with manufacturer and send a technician.
Risk Level
Low risk — lease company is contractually responsible for system maintenance.
Who Handles It
PPA provider handles everything
Process
Contact PPA company. They own the system and handle all warranty claims.
Risk Level
Low risk — PPA company has financial incentive to keep system producing.
Understanding what your warranty does not cover is just as important as knowing what it does. Here are the most common exclusions across all major panel manufacturers.
| Exclusion | Examples | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Acts of God / Force Majeure | Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, lightning strikes | File under homeowner insurance instead |
| Unauthorized modifications | Adding panels without manufacturer approval, third-party wiring changes | Always use certified installers for modifications |
| Improper installation | Panels installed at wrong angle, inadequate ventilation, poor wiring | Product warranty may be void if installer not certified |
| Normal cosmetic wear | Minor discoloration, frame scratching, label fading | Does not affect performance — cosmetic only |
| Damage from cleaning | Pressure washing, abrasive cleaners, walking on panels | Use soft water rinse or professional panel cleaning service |
The solar industry has seen significant consolidation, with dozens of installers closing in 2024-2025. If your installer is no longer operating, here is what still applies and what you lose.
If your original installer is no longer in business, NuWatt can take over service and maintenance of your system. We handle manufacturer warranty claims, diagnose production issues, and provide ongoing support — even for systems we did not install. Learn about Solar Orphan Rescue.
Product warranty covers manufacturing defects. Performance warranty guarantees minimum output under the manufacturer terms. Workmanship/labor warranty covers installation defects under the installer agreement. Roof-penetration coverage has separate duration and scope and is not a warranty on the whole roof. Ask for the written terms of each before signing.
A performance warranty guarantees your panels will produce a minimum percentage of their rated output at specific milestones. For example, REC guarantees 92% output at year 25. If your panels underperform this threshold, the manufacturer must repair, replace, or compensate you. This is measured by comparing actual production to expected production.
Transfer requirements depend on the equipment manufacturer and installation agreement. Check whether notice, registration, consent, or other steps are required, and keep the warranty documents with your home sale records. NuWatt workmanship and roof-penetration coverage remain subject to the transfer terms of the signed agreement; do not assume automatic transfer or a universal duration.
Equipment manufacturer warranties are separate from installer workmanship coverage and remain subject to their written terms. If the installer closes, obtaining installation service may require a different contractor and may involve labor charges. Do not assume insurance or a surety bond will pay workmanship claims; any such protection must be documented separately.
If you have a SolarEdge or SMA string inverter, extending to 25 years for $150-350 is one of the best investments in solar. String inverters are the most likely component to need replacement. For Enphase microinverters, no extension is needed — they come with 25 years standard.
For an equipment issue, follow the manufacturer claim procedure and keep system details, installation date, and evidence such as monitoring data or photos. NuWatt can help you identify the appropriate service path. For a suspected installation defect or roof leak, contact cs@nuwattenergy.com; coverage and any billable service are assessed under your signed agreement, not assumed from the age of the system alone.
Yes, most homeowner insurance policies cover roof-mounted solar panels as part of the dwelling. This covers damage from storms, hail, fallen trees, and other perils not covered by manufacturer warranty. You may need to increase your coverage limit to reflect the added value ($20,000-40,000). Check with your insurer.
NuWatt’s workmanship warranty covers defects in our solar installation under your signed agreement. Coverage for roof penetrations NuWatt makes is separate, with its own duration and limits. Equipment manufacturer warranties are separate. Coverage varies by product and financing; your signed agreement states the applicable terms.
No. Solar installation coverage is not a warranty on the entire roof. Coverage for penetrations NuWatt makes and the surrounding area specified in your agreement has its own duration and limits. Existing roof or structural conditions and roof repairs unrelated to our installation are outside solar coverage unless expressly included in the contracted scope. Any roofing contractor or roofing-material warranty is separate.
Existing customers may have different agreements and warranty terms. Please refer to your own signed contract, warranty exhibits, and any applicable written amendments—not another customer’s agreement or the current website summary. This website does not replace or amend your agreement or reduce rights under it. Contact cs@nuwattenergy.com if you need a copy or help identifying the applicable terms.
Report a roof leak to cs@nuwattenergy.com with your project details and photos if it is safe to take them. We review the cause and your signed agreement to determine coverage. Valid covered warranty repairs include labor at no cost, subject to the agreement’s terms. Before inspection or repair, a Service Agreement explains when the visit or work may be billable. Panel removal and reinstallation for unrelated roof repairs or remodeling is separately agreed paid work.
NuWatt is your point of contact for installation service and warranty questions. Workmanship, roof-penetration, and equipment manufacturer coverage have separate terms. Your signed agreement states the applicable duration, scope, and exclusions—not a warranty on your entire roof.
Example terms from a reviewed NuWatt solar agreement—not universal coverage.
This example reflects a reviewed NuWatt solar contract v2.6. The workmanship and penetration periods run from installation. Terms vary by product and financing. Your own signed agreement, warranty exhibits, and written amendments control. Optional accessories may have separate terms. This website does not replace or amend your agreement or reduce rights under it.