A solar system is built to produce for decades, so the warranties behind it matter as much as the hardware on the roof. Knowing what they cover, what can void them, and who is responsible for honoring them is what separates a confident purchase from an expensive guess.
SolarCraft has designed, installed, and serviced solar systems across Marin, Sonoma, and Napa since 1984, and backs its work with some of the strongest warranties in the industry.
The two warranties that protect your system
Most of the protection on a solar system comes from two warranties, and they cover different things.
The product warranty covers the equipment itself against defects in materials and manufacturing. Quality panels commonly carry a product warranty of around 25 years, while inverters, which work harder, usually carry a shorter term. This is the coverage that replaces a component that fails because of how it was built.
The workmanship warranty covers installation: mounting, wiring, roof penetrations, and integration of the entire system. This one comes from the installer rather than the manufacturer, and its length and terms vary widely from company to company. It is also the warranty most affected by who you choose, because it is only as good as the company standing behind it.
What can void a warranty?
Coverage is not unconditional. Unauthorized repairs or modifications, work by an unqualified party, neglected maintenance, and damage from causes outside normal use can all jeopardize a manufacturer's or installer's warranty. This is a practical reason to keep service, especially anything involving the roof, the inverter, or the wiring, with a qualified professional. Protecting the warranty is part of protecting the investment.
Inverter and battery warranties
The inverter and any battery carry their own coverage, and because both work harder than the panels, their terms differ. Inverters usually carry shorter product warranties than panels and are more likely to need replacement within the system's life. Home batteries are generally warranted for 10 to 15 years, often with terms tied to usage or to a guaranteed level of retained capacity. If a system includes battery storage, review that coverage alongside the panel and inverter warranties for the full picture.
Why the installer behind the warranty matters most
The product warranty comes from the manufacturer, but two things depend entirely on the installation company: the workmanship warranty and the practical help of filing and managing a manufacturer's claim if a component fails years down the line. Both are only as good as the company that remains to honor them.
This is where many homeowners have been caught out. A great deal of solar in California was sold by companies that have since closed, leaving customers with paperwork for which no one is left to stand behind. A 25-year warranty from a company that no longer exists offers little real protection.
SolarCraft is 100% employee-owned and has been in business since 1984, which makes it one of the relatively few California solar companies that have operated long enough to honor long-term warranties on the systems it installs. The company also services and supports systems originally installed by other companies, including those whose installer has closed, through its in-house service and maintenance team.
Questions worth asking before you buy
When you compare proposals, give the warranty terms as much attention as the price. Ask how long the product and workmanship warranties last, who honors each one, whether the workmanship warranty is backed by the company actually doing the installation, how long that company has been in business locally, and whether the warranties transfer if you sell the home, since most do, and that supports resale value.
A solid warranty from a stable local installer is worth more than a longer one on paper from a company that may not be around to honor it.
How SolarCraft backs its work
SolarCraft installs with its own licensed, certified employees rather than subcontractors, which keeps responsibility for the work with the company that did it. As a licensed General Contractor (B) and Electrical Contractor (C-10), and the first company in California to earn the state's C-46 Solar license, it has the credentials and the longevity to stand behind every system it installs.
Homeowners with questions about coverage for a new or existing system can reach the team via the contact page or by calling Sonoma/Napa 707.778.0568 or Marin 415.382.7717.
