How to Claim a Solar Warranty in the Philippines
TL;DR
Start with your installer, not the manufacturer — they usually handle the claim and they hold the workmanship warranty. Document the fault with dated photographs before anyone touches it, and know which of the three warranties applies: product, performance, or workmanship. Delay is what weakens claims most.
Start with your installer, not the manufacturer. They normally handle manufacturer claims for you, they hold the workmanship warranty themselves, and they have the equipment to establish what actually failed.
The two things that decide whether a claim succeeds are documentation and promptness. Both are within your control, and both are usually decided before you make the call.
Know which warranty applies
Three separate warranties cover a solar system, and confusing them wastes time:
| Warranty | Covers | Held by | Typical term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Manufacturing defects in the equipment | Manufacturer | ~10-15 years, panels |
| Performance | Panels still producing a stated % of rated output | Manufacturer | ~25 years |
| Workmanship | The installer’s labour — mounting, wiring, penetrations | Installer | Varies, ask |
A panel with a visible defect is a product claim. A panel quietly producing less than guaranteed at year twelve is a performance claim. A roof leak at a mounting bolt is a workmanship claim and has nothing to do with the manufacturer.
Inverters and batteries carry their own product warranties, commonly shorter than the panels — see how long do solar batteries last for how battery terms combine years with a throughput cap.
Our warranties explained guide covers what each document actually promises.
Document before anyone touches anything
This is the step people skip and later regret.
- Dated photographs of the fault, taken from the ground. Do not go on the roof — the array is live whenever the sun is up.
- The exact error code from the inverter display or app, written down.
- Output history showing when performance changed. This is what a performance claim rests on entirely, and it only exists if you were recording it — see solar monitoring.
- Original quotation, invoice, and commissioning documents.
- All warranty certificates, including the serial numbers of panels and inverter.
If a contractor replaces or repairs something before it is documented, you have lost the evidence. Photograph first.
Report in writing, immediately
Email rather than phone. You want a record with a date on it.
State plainly: what you observed, when it started, the error code if any, and what you want done. Attach the photographs. Ask for a written response with a timeline.
Delay is the most common reason claims get contested. A fault reported when noticed is straightforward; the same fault reported eight months later invites the argument that neglect made it worse. That argument is particularly effective against hot spots and anything involving water.
What is usually excluded
Warranties do not cover everything, and knowing the exclusions saves a wasted claim:
- Storm, lightning, flood, and impact damage — that is an insurance matter, not a warranty one
- Damage from shading or soiling you could have addressed — a hot spot under a tree that grew is generally excluded
- Unauthorised modification, including anyone drilling panel frames to fit bird mesh
- Normal degradation within the performance warranty’s allowance
- Consequential loss, such as the value of electricity you did not generate while waiting for a repair
If the installer has closed
Manufacturer product and performance warranties normally survive the installer’s closure, but you claim them yourself and you need the original paperwork including serial numbers. If you never filed those documents, this is the moment they matter.
The workmanship warranty is effectively gone. That is a real risk and it is one reason to weigh a company’s likely longevity when choosing — covered in how to choose a solar installer and how to avoid solar scams.
A short checklist to keep now
Before you ever need it, put these somewhere you can find them:
- Quotation, invoice, commissioning certificate
- Warranty certificates with panel and inverter serial numbers
- Installer contact details and licence information
- Pre-installation roof condition report with photographs
- A monthly note of system output
Five minutes of filing now is what makes a claim in year eight straightforward instead of impossible.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I contact first for a warranty claim?
Your installer. They generally handle manufacturer claims on your behalf, they hold the workmanship warranty themselves, and they have the test equipment to establish what actually failed. Going direct to a manufacturer usually loops back to the installer anyway.
What are the three different warranties?
Product warranty covers manufacturing defects in the equipment. Performance warranty guarantees panels still produce a stated percentage of rated output at a given year. Workmanship warranty covers the installer's own labour, including mounting and roof penetrations.
What should I document?
Dated photographs of the fault before anyone touches it, the inverter error code, your output history showing when performance changed, the original quotation and invoice, and all warranty documents. Photograph from the ground, not from the roof.
What if my installer has closed down?
The manufacturer's product and performance warranties normally survive, but you claim them directly and need the original documentation. The workmanship warranty is effectively gone, which is why a company's likely longevity matters when choosing one.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Within the warranty term, but report promptly regardless. Delay lets damage progress and gives grounds to argue the fault was worsened by neglect. Report in writing as soon as you notice something.
Is a panel that produces less after ten years a valid claim?
Only if output has fallen below what the performance warranty guarantees for that year. Gradual decline is normal and expected. You need output records to demonstrate the shortfall, which is why monitoring matters.