Solar panel warranty in India: what's actually covered
Every quote says "25-year warranty". Almost none of them mean the panel is covered for 25 years. There are five separate warranties in a rooftop system, they run for different lengths, and the one most likely to matter to you comes from your installer, not the manufacturer.
At a glance, 10-second read
- ▸Product warranty ≠ performance warranty. 10-12 years for defects; 25 years for output.
- ▸The inverter is what actually fails, 5-10 year cover, one replacement around year 10-12.
- ▸Workmanship cover comes from the installer, is 1-5 years, and dies with the company.
- ▸Collect serial numbers and warranty certificates on installation day, claims fail on paperwork.
The five warranties in one rooftop system
Product (material) warranty
10-12 years, some premium brands 15-25Manufacturing defects in the panel itself, delamination, junction box failure, frame corrosion, cell cracking not caused by impact. The manufacturer repairs or replaces the module.
Watch out: This is the warranty that actually gets claimed. A 25-year 'warranty' advertised with a 10-year product term means the panel body is only covered for 10.
Performance (power output) warranty
25 years, ~0.5%/year degradationA guaranteed minimum output over time, typically ~97-98% in year one, then a linear decline to roughly 80-87% at year 25 depending on the brand.
Watch out: Claiming needs measured output at standard test conditions, which in practice means a paid third-party test. Small shortfalls are rarely worth pursuing.
Inverter warranty
5-10 years, extendableThe inverter's electronics. This is the component that genuinely fails in a residential system, usually around year 10-12.
Watch out: Extended cover is often worth buying, and is cheaper at purchase than later. Budget ₹15,000-30,000 for one replacement regardless.
Workmanship / installation warranty
1-5 years, from the installer, not the manufacturerMounting structure, cabling, earthing, water ingress, and labour to swap a failed part. Wholly dependent on the installer still being in business.
Watch out: The weakest link in Indian rooftop solar. A 25-year panel warranty is worth little if the structure rusts in year 4 and the installer has vanished.
Structure / mounting warranty
5-10 years against corrosionGalvanised or aluminium mounting structure against rust and structural failure.
Watch out: Critical in coastal cities. Ask for the galvanisation grade in writing, this is where cheap quotes cut cost invisibly.
What a 25-year performance warranty really promises
A typical linear performance warranty at ~0.5% degradation per year. This is the curve our 25-year savings numbers assume, we use an average retained output of 92% across the period rather than day-one output, which is why our payback figures are more conservative than most installer projections.
| Year | Guaranteed output (approx.) | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 98% | |
| Year 5 | 96% | |
| Year 10 | 94% | |
| Year 15 | 91% | |
| Year 20 | 89% | |
| Year 25 | 87% |
Exact figures vary by brand and module technology, read the warranty document for the model you are actually quoted, not the brochure for the brand's flagship.
What voids the warranty
- Physical damage from impact, storms, or someone walking on the modules during cleaning, panels are not walk-rated.
- Installation by a non-registered or unapproved installer, which usually voids both the manufacturer warranty and the subsidy.
- Unauthorised repairs, opening the junction box, or third-party modifications to the wiring.
- Abrasive or chemical cleaning that damages the anti-reflective coating, plain water and a soft brush only.
- Operating outside the specified conditions, e.g. a system left running with a known earthing fault.
- Missing paperwork: no invoice, no serial numbers, no commissioning report means no claim, whatever the brochure promised.
Collect these on installation day
Warranty claims in India fail on documentation far more often than on the merits. Ten minutes at handover saves a decade of argument.
Tax invoice with the exact panel and inverter model numbers
The warranty attaches to the model and the buyer. A generic 'solar system' line item is not enough.
Serial number list of every module installed
Manufacturers verify claims by serial. Photograph the labels before the panels go up on the roof.
Manufacturer warranty certificates, in the buyer's name
Not the installer's name. Chase this at handover, retrofitting it later is painful.
ALMM listing proof for the module model
Required for the subsidy, and useful evidence of the model's identity in a dispute.
Commissioning report and net meter installation record
Establishes the start date of every warranty period.
Installer's written workmanship warranty with scope and duration
Verbal assurances are worthless. Get the years and what's included on paper.
Official portals, apply & verify here
We are not affiliated with any government body. Applications and current scheme rules live on these official portals, never pay anyone to "arrange" the subsidy for you.
FAQs
How long is a solar panel warranty in India?
Two separate periods. The product warranty, covering manufacturing defects in the panel, is typically 10-12 years, with premium brands going to 15-25. The performance warranty, guaranteeing minimum power output, is typically 25 years. A '25-year warranty' in an advert almost always means the performance one.
What is the difference between product and performance warranty?
The product warranty replaces a physically defective panel. The performance warranty guarantees the panel still produces a stated percentage of its rated output at a given year, around 87-90% at year 25 for quality modules degrading at ~0.5% a year. Different terms, different claim processes.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell my house?
Most manufacturer warranties transfer with the property, but usually require written notification within a set window. Installer workmanship warranties frequently do not transfer. Check both before you sell, and hand over the full document pack to the buyer.
What voids a solar panel warranty?
Physical damage, installation by an unapproved vendor, unauthorised repairs or wiring changes, abrasive cleaning that damages the coating, and missing documentation. Walking on panels during cleaning is a common and avoidable cause.
Is the inverter covered for 25 years too?
No. Inverter warranties run 5-10 years, sometimes extendable at purchase. The inverter is the part that realistically fails in a 25-year system life, plan for one replacement around year 10-12 at roughly ₹15,000-30,000 for a residential system.
How do I actually make a warranty claim?
Go to the installer first, since they hold the commissioning records and usually coordinate with the manufacturer. If they are unresponsive or out of business, approach the manufacturer directly with your invoice, serial numbers, and warranty certificate. Keep everything in writing.
Sources for this page
- MNRE, ALMM listing requirements and module standards
- PM Surya Ghar, official scheme portal, Registered-vendor requirement tied to subsidy validity
Warranty terms are a vendor-selection question
The difference between a good and a bad quote is rarely the price per kW, it's the structure grade, the inverter brand, and whether the workmanship cover is written down.