How Long-Term Solar Warranties Can Lead to Great Savings

The potential cost-of-living savings is always a big factor when Aussies are deciding to purchase a solar system. Generate Energy customers recognise once their solar system is in place, their household can begin to drive down energy bills and even earn some income back from their system exporting energy via a feed-in-tariff (FIT). But this isn’t the only area in which the right solar system can deliver big savings in the long term.

There’s a big difference between a quality solar installer and the alternative, and this applies to solar products too. If you get a reputable solar installer to install well-made components with a long-term warranty, you’ll be set to reap the rewards for years to come. So let’s look now at how a long-term warranty on inverter can save you money.

How Warranties Work

For anyone yet to be familiar with the warranties process in Australia a quick overview will help. It’s necessary to keep in mind some variables can exist here. For example, if a manufacturer has an office in Australia they’re responsible for their warranties, yet if not, it’ll be the importer who is responsible for them. But the following is an overview of the regulations and common approaches to warranties across the nation.

1. Australian Consumer Warranties

As the ACCC details Australian Consumer Law (ACL) confirms goods sold in Australia must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. There can be certain exceptions to this. For instance, if someone clearly advertises and sells a used car for sale as ‘for parts only’, then it wouldn’t be reasonable for someone who has purchased it to complain the car wasn’t working properly. But there is no ‘opt-out’ clause for any business in following the ACL - it’s mandatory when operating in Australia. So unless the seller specifically makes a potential buyer aware parts are not of acceptable quality and fit for purpose, the buyer has a right to expect what they buy is in good working condition.

2. Installer Warranty

This warranty is commonly offered by an installer of a solar system. Although this does not directly cover the parts and operation of the solar system, it covers the workmanship. If it emerges that a mistake has occurred or a fault has arisen as a result of the installation and/or subsequent workmanship within the warranty period, then the installer will be on the hook to remedy it.

3. Manufacturer’s Warranty

A manufacturer’s warranty is an important consideration when looking to save on costs over the years. This warranty is provided by a manufacturer to cover the parts (AKA panel product) and operation (AKA performance) of a solar system. A manufacturer that offers a long-term warranty sends a signal their products are made with quality parts, and they warrant their performance. Yes, a long-term warranty is by default a long time to make a promise, but given a manufacturer gets a competitive advantage over other businesses who will not warrant an extended period, it’s certainly right and fair to expect they’ll honour that promise.

Saving Time and Money

What can make a long-term manufacturing warranty so worthwhile from a savings perspective? It comes down to the two aforementioned promises that a manufacturer offers. They give an undertaking surrounding the parts and operation of their products.

The Parts

If at any time during the parts warranty its components fail due to a manufacturer’s defect, the customer will have a remedy available to them. While solar systems are unquestionably a great investment, it’s no secret the upfront cost of purchase and installation can require many Aussies households to save up for a time. A long-term warranty can help ensure a household won’t be left having to fork out another chunk of cash to get new solar products. This is unfortunately something many Aussies have had to do when they’ve purchased solar products from providers who maximise affordability at the expense of quality. Ultimately these Aussies have had to eventually pay for repair or replacement - and financially this can be a very painful lesson to learn.

It’s necessary to note the inverter is of course a part of the solar system but is usually treated differently for warranty purposes. We discuss the particulars regarding inverter warranty timelines in the conclusion below.

The Performance

The performance warranty was once called a performance guarantee until An inferior system might work on day 1, but over time its performance can decline. This means it won’t generate as much electricity as it once did - certainly not as much as a reputable system would - and may stop working altogether! This is really unfortunate, but in absence of a performance warranty, the solar system owner has little option but to put up with the performance decline, or opt for the previously mentioned avenues of costly repairs or replacement of the whole system. Where it concerns the operation of a system with highly respected solar products, a long-term warranty on the components will ensure the system’s operation will continue effectively* during this period.

*Subject to the specific terms of the warranty.

No Daily Dramas

Obtaining a warranty from a reputable manufacturer also offers peace of mind as you go about your daily life. This is because you can usually have a far greater certainty that a trusted business will still be trading in many years' time as opposed to one that seems to offer a ‘great’ deal today - but may not even be there next year! If utilising a questionable installer with questionable parts, the odds of them ceasing operation in time - and thus leaving customers high and dry - is far greater.

Making the Most of the Years

Warranties help provide some peace of mind when it comes to a solar installation. But it’s true there are additional steps that are always good form to practice where it concerns managing a solar installation from one year to the next. Ensuring a system gets regular checks and maintenance done is a great way to keep it in optimal condition from one year to the next.

So How Long is the Right Warranty?

Generate Energy provides exceptional service and quality solutions that empower our clients with sustainable and renewable energy independence.

LG Solar Panel Warranty. Announced in February 2022, LG Electronics Australia decided to close down solar production and sales. The decision follows the uncertainty created by multiple factors in the solar industry, including the intensification of price competition and the rising cost of raw materials. LG will continue to provide warranty and after sales support for LG solar panels for the warranty period and in accordance with applicable regulations.

Q CELLS Panel Warranty. Q CELLS (NASDAQ: HQCL) is a part of Hanwha Group, a Global Fortune 500 Company established in 1952 with over 55 Billion USD in total revenue and over 159 Billion USD in total assets. Hanwha Group has over 67 years' history of financial stability and with Hanwha Group's backing, Q CELLS is more than able to offer a standard 25-year warranty.

SolarEdge Inverters are a simpler, more cost effective, more reliable solar inverter with a standard 12-year warranty, extendable to 20 or 25 years.

Enphase Microinverters. Enphase Microinverters come with an industry-leading warranty of 10 years. They're also future-proofed, with the ability to add additional panels that are higher wattage.

Whichever combination of these warranties you acquire with your new solar system, hiring a quality solar installer that utilises trusted components and pursuing long-term warranties surrounding their system provides many benefits. There will be much greater peace of mind knowing the odds of something going wrong are far smaller, and in the unlikely event it does, they have some additional protection to remedy it with their long-term warranties in place.

Generate Energy delivers only the best. For more information on our warranties contact us today.