Installing a new solar panel system or expanding your existing storage capacity are major investments. Understanding your solar battery warranty is crucial to protecting against unforeseen circumstances affecting your system’s function.
Warranties can be confusing to navigate, which is why we have put together this short guide to cover everything you need to know about solar battery warranties and guarantees. Being familiar with your solar battery warranty helps you use the coverage if problems occur, giving you peace of mind about your solar storage system.
What is a Solar Battery Warranty?
A solar battery warranty is a protection plan offered by installers or manufacturers to cover repair or replacement costs if a solar battery fails or malfunctions within a specified period.
This is to ensure accountability on the part of solar companies and manufacturers, and provide peace of mind. With a warranty in place, homeowners will not be responsible for any costs if their solar battery fails to perform as expected for the duration of the warranty’s coverage.
Different Types of Solar Battery Warranties
“Warranty” is not an all encompassing term where your solar battery is concerned. The two main warranty types are the installation warranty and the manufacturer warranty. The type of warranty affects the length of coverage, as well as the problems and defects it will cover.
Installation Warranty
The solar battery warranty provided by a solar installation company is typically valid for the first few years after the installation and covers any service or system issues related to how the battery was installed.
Blue Raven Solar offers coverage for any battery system issues or problems within the first two years of your solar panel and battery system installation and will assist with any manufacturer claims for the first two years. This warranty also covers any manufacturer defect claims within those first few years. After the first two years, any claims for system defects will need to be covered by the manufacturer warranty.
Blue Raven Solar also offers a 5-year limited workmanship warranty for customers with existing solar panel systems who want to add an additional battery.
Manufacturer Warranty
With most lithium core solar battery systems, the manufacturer will offer at least 10 years of coverage. To understand what exactly is covered by your warranty, it’s important to carefully review the product and service guarantees offered by the manufacturer.
For instance, most manufacturers fully cover malfunctions related to factory defects and product failures, but warranties also generally adhere to guarantees related to battery degradation and base performance integrity. Many companies will also offer replacement if the performance of the battery fails to meet a certain standard or capacity within the warranty coverage period.
Exceptions to the Warranty Period
The stated coverage period on your solar battery warranty generally holds true, but the coverage may end sooner depending on a few specific factors:
- Cycle Count – Every time you drain and recharge your solar battery, it marks a battery cycle. Many battery warranties have a limit on the number of battery cycles covered. If your battery usage exceeds the cycle coverage, your warranty will expire even if the warranty period has not ended.
- Throughput – Solar battery throughput is the number of megawatt-hours the manufacturer expects the battery to supply over its lifetime. Some companies prefer to base their warranty period exceptions on throughput rather than cycle count, which means the warranty will expire once the expected throughput threshold is met.
Other exceptions to manufacturer warranty coverage include damage or product abuse outside of the manufacturer’s control, damage caused by natural disasters, unauthorized transferring of your battery’s location, and installation by a non-certified installer, to name a few. We strongly advise you to familiarize yourself with warranty exclusions and adhere to them to maximize your coverage benefits.
Blue Raven Solar Battery Manufacturer Warranties
Below is a brief comparison of the manufacturer warranties on the brands of solar batteries offered and installed by Blue Raven Solar.
BATTERY | WARRANTY LENGTH | ENERGY RETENTION GUARANTEE | CYCLE COVERAGE |
---|---|---|---|
IQ Enphase 5P | 15-year limited | 60% at the end of the 15 year warranty period | Up to 6,000 cycles |
How Long Should Solar Batteries Last?
Your solar battery warranty offers the assurance of high quality equipment and workmanship from both the manufacturer and the installer. The end of the warranty period should not mark the end of your storage system’s life. While some batteries may need replacing shortly after the end of the manufacturer warranty, in a well-maintained system batteries can last between 105 and 15 years.
To maximize your solar battery warranty and extend your battery’s lifespan:
- Know Your System – Becoming familiar with how your home storage solution and solar battery system works will help you avoid damaging its functionality and make any warranty claims, if necessary.
- Conduct Regular Inspections – Routine inspections of your solar panel system can help identify and address performance issues early on, before they compromise system function or durability.
- Keep Records – Recording your system performance over time as well as maintenance and repairs helps you to keep on schedule with system inspections and track any breakdown in the function of your storage system.
- Maintain Temperature Conditions – Temperatures too high or too low may affect the health of a solar battery in ways not covered by your warranty. Maintain optimal temperature conditions recommended by your solar expert during installation. Proper placement in a well-insulated area can help maintain ideal temperatures, typically between 60°F and 70°F.
- Avoid Overcharging and Deep Discharging – Allowing your battery to charge for too long or completely run out too often can run down the efficiency of your battery system. Again, familiarity with how the system works will allow you to monitor the charge levels and avoid this.
Why is a Warranty Important to Have?
While most solar installers and manufacturers strive for a high standard of quality, either human error or factory defects can result in expensive system issues. Having a warranty in place will protect you from having to cover these costs yourself and can save you money and the hassle.
While battery failures are not common, having protection against them is still advisable.
Takeaways on Solar Battery Warranties
Ideally, your solar battery will function as intended from the moment it is installed. In most cases, you won’t need to worry about repairs or replacements for a long time. While battery failures are uncommon, having warranty protection provides peace of mind and financial security in case of unexpected issues.
When you install a solar battery with Blue Raven Solar, you will be fully protected from any installer or manufacturer issues which may affect your solar + storage system. In addition to the 2-year hassle-free workmanship warranty we provide, we will also help to process any claims you may need to file during the life of your manufacturer warranty.
Blue Raven Solar is here to guide you through your solar installation and become energy independent. We will be there for you with quality products, quality technicians, and quality warranty support.
Contact us for a custom quote on solar installation or storage system expansion, including detailed warranty information.
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