What Do Solar Warranties Cover? A Homeowner’s Guide

As more homeowners turn to solar energy for its environmental and financial benefits, understanding the protections that come with a solar system is crucial. One of the most important aspects of investing in solar is knowing what kind of warranty coverage you’ll have. Solar warranties ensure your system continues to perform efficiently over time and give you peace of mind when unexpected issues arise.

In this article, we’ll break down what solar warranties typically cover, how long they last, and how Eagle Mountain Solar’s installation partner, Powur, offers industry-leading coverage with its 30-year warranty. We’ll also clarify how your homeowners insurance comes into play to cover certain damages that warranties don’t.

As always, if you’d like to skip ahead and get a customized solar savings report done on your home, contact us!

What Are Solar Warranties?

When you invest in a solar energy system, warranties protect various components of the system and ensure that if something goes wrong, you won’t bear the full cost of repairs or replacements. A typical solar system warranty will cover several key areas, including the panels, the inverters, the labor, and even roof penetrations. Understanding these different components can help you make an informed decision when selecting a solar installer and system.

Types of Solar Warranties

Most solar warranties fall into four categories:

Product (Equipment) Warranty

    • Covers: This warranty protects against defects in the solar panels themselves, including issues related to manufacturing flaws, material degradation, and workmanship.
    • Length: Typically, solar panel warranties last between 10 to 25 years. However, high-quality systems, such as those installed by Eagle Mountain Solar’s partner Powur, offer longer warranties that extend to 30 years, providing extra protection over time.
    • What to Expect: If a solar panel stops working or produces significantly less energy due to a defect, the product warranty will cover its replacement.

    Performance Warranty

      • Covers: Solar panels lose a small percentage of efficiency each year, which is normal. A performance warranty guarantees that your panels will produce a certain amount of electricity over time. If they fall below the expected output level, this warranty kicks in.
      • Length: These warranties generally cover 25 years and guarantee that after 25 years, your panels should still be producing at least 80-85% of their original power.
      • What to Expect: If your system’s performance drops faster than expected, the manufacturer will either repair or replace the faulty panels.

      Labor (Workmanship) Warranty

        • Covers: This warranty protects you against any problems resulting from the installation process, such as improper wiring, roof leaks, or system failures due to incorrect setup.
        • Length: Labor warranties can vary widely. Some installers offer only 1 to 5 years of coverage, while others, like Powur, provide comprehensive warranties lasting up to 30 years.
        • What to Expect: If your system experiences installation-related issues, the installer will return to fix the problem at no cost to you.

        Roof Penetration Warranty

          • Covers: Since solar panels are usually installed on rooftops, there’s a possibility that roof penetrations could lead to leaks or other roof-related issues. A roof penetration warranty ensures that your roof remains protected from damage related to the installation process.
          • Length: These warranties typically last around 10 years for most companies, ensuring you have coverage for any roofing issues caused by the solar installation.
          • What to Expect: If you experience a roof leak or damage directly related to the installation of your solar panels, the installer will repair the problem at no cost during the warranty period.

          Powur’s Industry-Leading 30-Year Warranty

          At Eagle Mountain Solar, we partner with Powur, a trusted national leader in solar installations. One of the key benefits of choosing us is the peace of mind that comes with Powur’s 30-year warranty. This comprehensive coverage goes beyond what most solar companies offer, ensuring long-term protection across product, performance, labor, and roof penetrations.

          • 30-Year Product Warranty: Covers any manufacturing defects in the solar panels.
          • 30-Year Performance Guarantee: Ensures that your system produces at expected levels for decades.
          • 30-Year Labor Warranty: Protects you from installation errors and ensures any necessary repairs are covered for the life of the warranty.
          • 30-Year Roof Penetration Warranty: Practically unheard of! Covers any issues related to roof leaks or damage caused during installation for 30 years.

          This extensive warranty coverage means homeowners who choose Eagle Mountain Solar and Powur for their installation get more than just a high-performing solar system—they get long-term protection backed by a company with a reputation for excellence.

          How Homeowners Insurance Comes Into Play

          While solar warranties protect you from equipment failures and installation issues, your homeowners insurance steps in to cover damage caused by external events. Homeowners insurance typically covers solar panels because they are considered a permanent fixture on your home.

          What Homeowners Insurance Covers

          • Storm Damage: If a strong storm causes physical damage to your solar panels, your homeowners insurance typically covers the cost of repairs or replacements.
          • Fire or Theft: In the event of a fire or if your system is vandalized or stolen, your homeowners insurance will likely cover the damages.
          • Accidents: If something unexpected, such as a tree falling on your solar panels, occurs, homeowners insurance will typically cover the repair costs.

          What Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover

          Although homeowners insurance can protect against various forms of damage, there are things it doesn’t cover:

          • Product Defects or Installation Errors: This is where your solar warranties come into play. For example, if your system has a manufacturing flaw, your product warranty would cover repairs, not your homeowners insurance.
          • Normal Wear and Tear: Solar panels are built to withstand various environmental conditions, but over time, natural degradation occurs. Your warranties will cover performance dips outside of expected ranges, but routine maintenance is not covered by insurance.

          Why Transparency Matters

          With so many moving parts in a solar system—panels, inverters, wiring—it’s essential that you work with a solar provider who offers transparency at every step of the process. At Eagle Mountain Solar, we pride ourselves on providing clear, honest consulting so that you know exactly what your warranties and homeowners insurance cover, and what they don’t. When you’re making such an important investment in your home’s energy future, it’s critical to have a partner you can trust.

          Key Takeaways

          When you’re considering solar, warranties and insurance are two essential pieces of the puzzle. Here’s what you need to remember:

          • Solar Warranties typically cover equipment, performance, labor, and roof penetrations. Look for systems with warranties lasting 25 years or more, like the 30-year warranty from Powur that covers everything from product defects to installation issues.
          • Homeowners Insurance typically covers damage from storms, fire, and theft but does not cover product defects or normal wear and tear.
          • Transparency is key. At Eagle Mountain Solar, we provide expert, straightforward consulting to ensure you understand the full scope of your investment, including your long-term warranty and insurance protections.

          Choosing solar energy is a big decision, but with the right warranties and homeowners insurance in place, you can be confident that your system will deliver reliable, clean energy for decades to come. Ready to make the switch to solar? Contact Eagle Mountain Solar today to learn more about our warranties and how we can help you power your home with the sun.

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