Solar Panel Warranties

A question about : Solar Panel Warranties

In the process of obtaining quotes, one company asking Ј9k but offering 25 year warranty on panels
Seen one company online offering Ј5k but with a 10 year warranty.

I believe the Ј9k is way too high and am in the process of looking at alternatives however.

My question is it is worth paying extra for a longer warranty?

Best answers:

• In all likelyhood, no.
  What was the exact warranty for? Power or manufacturing warranty? The later is typically for 10 years and covers manufacturing defects, the former that the peak power of the module reaches certain levels after each year and is typically for 25 years. Both pretty hard to prove fault to be honest.
  There has been a lot of module manufacturers going bust and if your one did go bust the warranty would likely mean nothing. Infact alot of the big renewable energy investment firms won't put really any faith in the manufacturer warranty and will set aside their own maintenaince reserve account (cash) to fund replacements (source: my job).
  Paying for a longer inverter warranty I would maybe consider especially if from the likes of ABB or SMA.
  Edit: Not talking about a Ј4k difference though, keep a bargepole length away from them.
• No probs,
  Halifax, west yorkshire
  4kw system - 16 panels
  Due South facing - no shading whatsoever
  Roof pitch believe standard 35-40?
• When you are getting quotes you need to ask all the companies to quote for like for like.
  There are a lot of different products on the market with lots of different quality and appearance etc. I think you need to make a decision of what you want and ask every one to quote for the same job.
  As one could be quoting for a rolls Royce and the other for a lada and they may be coming out at similar prices...