Warranty · Faisalabad, Lahore, Punjab
Solar Panel and Inverter Warranties: What to Check Before You Buy
Short answer
A solar system comes with several separate warranties: the panel product warranty, the panel performance warranty, the inverter and battery warranties from their manufacturers, and the installer's own warranty on workmanship and structure. Before you buy, check each one is listed on the quotation, check who handles a claim, and make sure the exact model and serial numbers are on your documents. A long warranty means little if the product is not genuine or the paperwork is missing.
This guide explains each type in plain language. It does not quote warranty years, because they differ by brand, model and seller, and are listed on each quotation.
The warranties in a solar system
| Warranty | Covers | Given by |
|---|---|---|
| Panel product warranty | Defects in materials and manufacturing (for example frame, glass, junction box, delamination) | Panel manufacturer |
| Panel performance warranty | Output staying above a stated percentage of rated power over a stated period | Panel manufacturer |
| Inverter warranty | Faults in the inverter | Inverter manufacturer |
| Battery warranty | Faults and, often, remaining capacity over a stated period or energy throughput | Battery manufacturer |
| Protection devices and cables | Product defects | Their manufacturers |
| Structure warranty | The mounting structure built for your site | Installer |
| Service or workmanship warranty | Installation quality and service support | Installer |
Who covers what
Manufacturer
Panels, inverter, battery: per product
Solar Works
1-year service, 3-year structure
Solar panel warranty: product vs performance
Panels carry two different promises, and people often mix them up.
Product warranty
The product warranty covers the panel itself: defects in materials and workmanship. Examples include a failed junction box, delamination, broken bypass diodes or frame defects. If the panel is defective, the manufacturer repairs or replaces it under its terms.
Performance warranty
The performance warranty promises that the panel will still produce at least a stated percentage of its rated power after a stated number of years. Most manufacturers use a linear performance warranty, where the guaranteed output falls by a small, fixed amount each year.
All panels lose a little output each year. That is normal and expected. The performance warranty covers the panel losing output faster than the manufacturer's stated rate. Our guide to solar panel lifespan explains degradation in more detail.
What is usually not covered
Panel warranties generally exclude damage from:
- breakage during transport, handling or installation;
- improper installation or mounting outside the manufacturer's instructions;
- storms, lightning, flooding, fire and other external events;
- dirt, bird droppings or shading (these lower output but are not defects);
- unauthorised modifications.
Read the actual exclusions in the manufacturer's warranty document. They vary.
Inverter warranty
The inverter is the component most likely to need attention during a system's life, so its warranty matters. Check:
- The warranty period and whether it can be extended, as stated by the manufacturer.
- Repair or replacement: does the manufacturer repair the unit, swap it or send parts?
- Where claims are handled: through the manufacturer's own service network in Pakistan, or through the seller.
- Installation conditions: many inverter warranties require installation in a ventilated, shaded location within the stated temperature range, by a qualified installer.
Our solar inverter price page lists the inverter brands we supply.
Battery warranty
Lithium battery warranties often have more conditions than panel warranties. They may be limited by:
- a period of time;
- a number of cycles or a total energy throughput, whichever comes first;
- a minimum remaining capacity at the end of the period;
- operating temperature and installation conditions;
- use with a compatible inverter and correct settings.
Ask which limit applies first. Our guide to lithium battery lifespan and care explains how heat, depth of discharge and settings affect battery life.
Who handles a warranty claim?
This is the question buyers forget to ask. In Pakistan, a claim normally passes through these steps:
- You report the fault to your installer or seller.
- The installer diagnoses it on site and confirms whether it is a product defect, an installation issue or something else, such as a grid fault.
- The installer raises the claim with the manufacturer's service network or the distributor, with the serial number, invoice and fault details.
- The manufacturer decides on repair or replacement under its own terms.
- The installer removes and refits the unit as needed.
Timelines depend on the manufacturer, the fault and parts availability. Solar Works Pakistan sources equipment through Pakistani distributors, and claims follow each manufacturer's own warranty route.
Solar Works Pakistan's own warranties
On projects we install, we give:
- Manufacturer warranty per product. Panels, inverters and batteries are covered by their respective manufacturer warranties. We do not invent warranty periods; we state the actual terms for the equipment quoted.
- 1-year service warranty. The first year of service coverage includes breaker replacement, subject to the applicable project terms.
- 3-year structure warranty on the structure designed by our in-house engineers and fabricated and assembled by our own teams on site. After that period, the customer is responsible for appropriate maintenance. See solar structures.
- 48-hour response target. Once a complaint is registered, we target sending service personnel within 48 hours to begin diagnosis. This is a target for reaching you, not a promise that every fault is fixed within 48 hours.
After the first year, maintenance and service are chargeable. We do not require an annual maintenance contract, but we can provide one if you want it.
Warranty is only as good as the product
A warranty from a manufacturer is only useful if the product is genuine and traceable. Fake, refurbished or grade-B panels may carry labels that look right but no valid warranty behind them.
- Check panel serial numbers with the manufacturer where a verification route exists. Our guide on how to check genuine solar panels explains how.
- Buy from a seller who puts the brand and exact model on the invoice.
- Stick to established brands. See the brands we supply and current options on our solar panel price page.
Documents to keep
Keep these in one folder, on paper and as photos on your phone:
- The quotation and BOQ, showing brand, model, quantity and warranty for each item.
- The final invoice with the seller's details and date.
- Serial numbers of every panel, the inverter and each battery (photograph the labels before installation).
- Manufacturer warranty documents or registration confirmations.
- Datasheets for panels, inverter and battery.
- Commissioning records and the single-line diagram, if provided.
- Monitoring app login details, as app data helps prove a fault.
- Service records, with dates of every visit and what was done.
Our guide on how to compare solar quotations shows what a complete quotation should include.
Red flags
- A warranty period promised only verbally, with no manufacturer document behind it.
- No brand or model on the quotation, only "A-grade panels".
- A seller who says warranty claims are "your problem" with the manufacturer.
- Panels with serial numbers that cannot be verified.
- No mention of the installer's own workmanship or structure warranty.
Get today's price or a free site survey
Ask us for a detailed quotation: every item comes with brand, model, quantity and its warranty.
- WhatsApp or call: 0336 666 4321
- Email: info@solarworks.pk
- Head office: Main Boulevard, Sargodha Rd, Block F FDA City, Faisalabad
- Lahore branch: 2nd Floor, Jeff Heights, Gulberg, Lahore
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, daily
- Service area: all of Punjab. See our Faisalabad and Lahore pages, or contact us.
Site surveys are normally free. Founded in 2021, Solar Works Pakistan has served 300+ customers, including 50+ industrial clients.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a product and a performance warranty?
The product warranty covers defects in the panel itself, such as a failed junction box or delamination. The performance warranty promises output will stay above a stated percentage of rated power over a stated period. Both are set by the manufacturer.
How long is a solar panel warranty?
It depends on the brand and model, so we do not quote a single figure. Solar Works Pakistan gives the manufacturer's warranty for each product.
Who do I contact for a warranty claim?
Contact your installer first. They should diagnose the fault and raise the claim with the manufacturer's service network, using your serial numbers and invoice. For systems we install, call 0336 666 4321.
Does the warranty cover storm or lightning damage?
Usually not. Manufacturer warranties cover product defects, not external events such as storms, lightning or flooding. Some property insurance policies can cover that.
What warranty does Solar Works Pakistan give?
A 1-year service warranty, including breaker replacement, under the applicable project terms, and a 3-year structure warranty. Panels, inverters and batteries carry their manufacturer warranties.
Will fake panels have a warranty?
Not a valid one. Fake or grade-B panels may carry convincing labels, but the manufacturer will not honour them. Verify serial numbers and buy from a seller who lists the exact model on the invoice.