Warranties

[SolarCity]

Was wondering what warranties contractors are offering on their gear. We have been offering 5 year on inverters and 25 years on panels. When I mentioned this to someone earlier, they were shocked that we offered such a long guarantee on the panels. But if the manufacturer gives a 25 year guarantee, then aren't we obliged to offer it too?

 

[Markc]

Isn't the 25 year on panels a tolerance warranty and not materials. As far as I'm aware it's five years on most product. We offer 5 years materials and Labour on all our installs.

 

[Marvo]

25 year warranty, I just blew coffee out of my nose. I have never heard of any item carrying a 25 year warranty, not one which is a full replacement warranty should the item fail. I could be wrong but I would read the small print again if I were you.

 

[SolarCity]

But what if the panel falls below the tolerance? Who pays to have it replaced?

 

[Markc]

But what if the panel falls below the tolerance? Who pays to have it replaced?

I think you know the answer to that. I don't think any manufacture will willingly replace a panel IF it is found to be below tolerance. Best your bottom dollar the process will be:

Installer: Hi I have a panel fitted in 2010 which is now 24 years old and it seems not to be generating to within 80% of its rated output.
Manufacture: Ok take the panel off the roof, pack it securely and send it to us here in (you pick your country but I bet it's not UK) at your cost. We will test it and if it is below we will do our utmost to fiddle the figures to prove it isn't our fault and then you can pay us for checking it and sending it back to the UK. Once you receive it back you will notice the panel is now cracked and no longer works but thanks for your call!

 

[SolarCity]

I figure that's how it would work. But exactly what should my stance with the customer be? If I tell them they have a 25 year warranty on their panels, yet only guarantee my work for 5 years - where does this leave them? Materials guaranteed but with labour costs?

 

[bugsy]

Piggy back manufactueres warranties and five years on the install on the provisio it does not get tampered with and is subect to relevent inspections

 

[Markc]

Just say five years on materials and labour but the panels do come with a 25yr tolerance warranty . Can't see why you should offer more. You don't have to offer 5 years on your labour can be 2.

The tolerance warranty isn't covering materials just a rating of output of the panel after a certain time period. It isn't going to produce a nice new panel in 25yrs time if the panel falls apart but "should!" if it isn't achieving 80% of it's rated wattage

 

[SolarCity]

Fair enough. On hindsight it certainly does seem reasonable.

 

[Markc]

Fair enough. On hindsight it certainly does seem reasonable.

It wouldn't be fun it was simple! lol.

 

[SolarCity]

The thing is, we're not used to offering these kind of warranties so it's thrown us a bit!

 

[Marvo]

The thing is, we're not used to offering these kind of warranties so it's thrown us a bit!

Neither are the manufacturers. I'm very sceptical;

1. This technology hasn't been around long enough to be field proven for even ten years.
2. There's likely to be some small print get-out clauses.
3. What's the chances the supplier or manufacturer or agent will be around for comment in 25 years?
4. What's the chances the original customer will have proof of purchase in 25 yrs from now?
5. What's the chances you as an installer will have an invoice for your purchase in 25 yrs time?

This sounds like a sales gimmick to me. Just make sure you don't come short because of it. I would stipulate on the invoice that any materials warranties are only at the discression of the agent or manufacturers and keep yourself out of the loop if you can. I would read up on consumer law in your location and make sure you're not liable by that route as well.

 

[SolarCity]

To be fair, tests indicate that panels should be able to last 40 years+ without any problems but I do get your point about companies being around in 25 years to honour the guarantee. I think this is one of the main concerns when gaining MCS certification for your product.

I'm not sure whether warranty advice comes under MCS or REAL but I suspect it will be the latter. I will drop them an email later and see what they say. Frankly, I'm happy to honour the industry standard and I reckon that MarkC has got that right.

 

[Markc]

Neither are the manufacturers. I'm very sceptical;

1. This technology hasn't been around long enough to be field proven for even ten years.
2. There's likely to be some small print get-out clauses.
3. What's the chances the supplier or manufacturer or agent will be around for comment in 25 years?
4. What's the chances the original customer will have proof of purchase in 25 yrs from now?
5. What's the chances you as an installer will have an invoice for your purchase in 25 yrs time?

This sounds like a sales gimmick to me. Just make sure you don't come short because of it. I would stipulate on the invoice that any materials warranties are only at the discression of the agent or manufacturers and keep yourself out of the loop if you can. I would read up on consumer law in your location and make sure you're not liable by that route as well.

Well not that I disagree with everything here but:

This technology hasn't been around long enough to be field proven for even ten years. It has, I have read press releases online form systems that have been running now for 30+years in Germany and still producing rated current. Just because the UK indusrty is new doesn't mean the technology is.

There's likely to be some small print get-out clauses. Isn't there always!

What's the chances the supplier or manufacturer or agent will be around for comment in 25 years? Risk we have to take with anything we buy. Think of Woolworths!

What's the chances the original customer will have proof of purchase in 25 yrs from now? MCS Certificate, Electrical Installation Certificate, Part P certificate, Quotations and Contract. I Think there will be some paper chain some how. And anyway if they have lost every thing then that's their fault.

What's the chances you as an installer will have an invoice for your purchase in 25 yrs time? Fair point.