Solar warranty check for new owners

Most panels come with dual warranties: Product warranty (10–12 years) covers manufacturing defects, workmanship, and materials. Performance warranty (25 years) guarantees the panels retain 80%+ of their rated output. Performance degradation of 5–10% over 25 years is normal and covered.

The inverter is the most common component to fail (though failures are still rare). Standard warranty is 5–12 years depending on brand and covers manufacturing defects. Some brands like SolarEdge offer extended 25-year options. Inverters are "working parts" of the system; failure rates are higher than panels but still low in the first 5 years.

If your system has a battery, it typically comes with 5–10 years standard warranty covering manufacturing defects and capacity degradation (retains 80% capacity). Modern lithium batteries are designed for 10,000–20,000 charge cycles (10–20 years), but degradation accelerates beyond that. Capacity fade (100% → 95% → 90% over several years) is normal.

The installer typically provides 1–5 years workmanship warranty from installation, covering labour for repairs due to poor workmanship. This usually does NOT transfer if the installer has gone bust. If the original installer is still trading, you can sometimes request they assign the workmanship warranty to you. This is the warranty most affected by installer insolvency.

The installer may have registered the equipment with the manufacturer initially, but workmanship warranty is now void. The manufacturer warranty (on inverter, battery, panels) is usually still valid. Contact the manufacturer with the serial number. They have their own records and can confirm warranty status independently. Two exceptions: GivEnergy Ltd entered administration on 9 April 2026 and no further hardware warranties will be honoured (GivEnergy warranty guide), and Fox ESS claims go through a Local Installer, a role we can take on (Fox ESS warranty guide).

The previous owner may have registered the warranty in their personal name, locking you out of direct access. Contact the manufacturer with proof of property purchase. Most manufacturers will re-register ownership to you without needing the previous owner's involvement. Emphasise that you're now the property and equipment owner.

If the system is 5+ years old and the manufacturer warranty has expired, you have no manufacturer coverage for equipment faults. Check if the manufacturer offers extended warranty plans (some do, for a fee). Alternatively, consider getting a system health check from a qualified technician to assess condition.

Most systems last 20–25+ years, but replacement costs can be £500–£3000+ for an inverter or battery if not covered by warranty.

Without installation documentation, warranty proof may be harder to establish. The MCS certificate is site-specific and publicly searchable. Go to mcscertified.com and search by your postcode—most residential installs from 2012 onwards are listed. Use this as your primary document. If not listed, contact the manufacturer with just the serial number and installation date (visible on the inverter label).

If your inverter, battery, or panels have stopped working, contact the manufacturer first. If the manufacturer confirms warranty covers the failure, they may arrange repair or replacement. If the manufacturer denies the claim, warranty claim support services can review the decision and advise your options. If your Fox ESS installer has gone bust, we can be the Local Installer you appoint to make the claim. How we make a Fox ESS claim.

Consider booking an independent solar inspection to assess the system's condition and identify any issues before warranty expires. This costs £145 remotely or from £295 on site but can save thousands if hidden problems are caught early.

If you can't locate the MCS certificate or manufacturer details, a qualified installer can identify the equipment and help you establish warranty status. They have databases of installer records and can often locate missing documentation.

If a manufacturer refuses to transfer warranty despite your proof of ownership, hold it to its own warranty terms. A solicitor or consumer rights service can send a formal letter escalating the claim. Many manufacturers relent when faced with legal action.