How to make a solar warranty claim in Perth: panels, inverters, and workmanship

A residential solar system in Perth typically carries three different warranties from three different parties. Knowing which warranty applies to your issue determines who you contact and what the process looks like.

The three warranties on a Perth solar installation

1. Panel product warranty (manufacturer)

What it covers: Manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship of the solar panel itself. Examples: premature delamination, frame corrosion, junction box failure, defective cells.

Who provides it: The panel manufacturer (REC, Jinko, Trina, Canadian Solar, etc.)

Typical term: 10–15 years What happens at expiry: You still have the performance warranty, but manufacturing defect claims require product to fail within product warranty period.

2. Panel performance warranty (manufacturer)

What it covers: Guarantees minimum output over the panel's lifespan. Most manufacturers warrant ≥97% of rated output in Year 1, with annual degradation caps (typically ≤0.45%/year for PERC panels) ending at 80–85% at year 25.

Who provides it: The panel manufacturer.

Claim trigger: Output measured under Standard Test Conditions falls below the warranted minimum for that year of service. Most performance claims are assessed via independent testing — monitoring data is directional only; a certified STC measurement is required to prove the claim.

Practical reality: Performance warranty claims are difficult to prosecute in practice. Monitoring data is directional, not a certified measurement. Independent STC testing is expensive. Most Perth households with underperforming panels deal with the issue via the product warranty (defect claim) or installer workmanship warranty — not a performance warranty claim.

3. Workmanship warranty (installer)

What it covers: Defects in the installation work itself — incorrectly routed cables, improper weatherproofing of roof penetrations, faulty connections, incorrectly commissioned systems.

Who provides it: Your solar installer.

Typical term: Minimum 5 years under the CEC Code of Conduct. Some installers offer longer.

Claim trigger: Installation-related issues: roof leaks at panel penetrations, loose connections, panels installed in unsafe or non-compliant configurations, monitoring not commissioned correctly.

Inverter warranty

The inverter carries its own separate product warranty:

• Standard inverter warranty: 10 years (most major brands)
• Extended inverter warranty available: 15–20 years (at additional cost, typically purchased at installation)
• Microinverter warranty (Enphase): 25 years

Who provides it: The inverter manufacturer (Fronius, SMA, Sungrow, SolarEdge, Goodwe, Enphase, etc.)

Claim process: Contact the inverter manufacturer directly or through your installer. Most inverter manufacturers have Australian service centres or authorised service agents who handle warranty replacements. Replacement inverters are typically sent and installed by a CEC-accredited electrician.

Step-by-step: making a warranty claim

Step 1: Identify the issue category

Performance problem (not generating expected output): Start with your monitoring data and compare to expected generation for the season (use the month-by-month guide for Perth). If underperformance is consistent and not weather-related, investigate further.

Equipment fault (error codes, inverter not running, visible damage): Inverter faults → inverter manufacturer or installer. Physical panel damage → your installer for initial assessment.

Installation defect (roof leak, loose panels, cable issues): Installer workmanship warranty.

Step 2: Contact your installer first

For most issues, contact the installer first. Your installer:

• Has your system documentation and can access performance records
• Has relationships with panel and inverter manufacturers for warranty claims
• Is responsible under their workmanship warranty for installation-related issues
• Can assess whether the issue is a manufacturing defect (panel/inverter claim) or installation defect (workmanship claim)

What to tell them:

• Monitoring data showing the performance issue (screenshots from your monitoring app)
• When the issue started or when you first noticed it
• Any visible damage or error codes
• System details (installation date, panel model, inverter model)

Step 3: Panel manufacturer direct claim (if needed)

If your installer cannot resolve the issue or is no longer trading, contact the panel manufacturer directly. You'll need:

• Proof of purchase (original invoice showing panel model and serial numbers)
• Installation date and location
• Description of the defect with photos
• System documentation (your CEC Certificate of Compliance)

Most tier-1 panel manufacturers have Australian contacts or local distributors. Find the manufacturer's Australian warranty support contact — not a generic overseas address.

Step 4: Inverter manufacturer direct claim

For inverter faults, the process is typically:

1. Diagnostic via monitoring portal — most manufacturers can remotely diagnose fault codes
2. Service agent assessment (may involve site visit or data request)
3. Warranty replacement decision — most modern inverters are replaced (not repaired) under warranty

For Fronius, Sungrow, SMA, SolarEdge, Enphase — all have Australian-based warranty support.

If your installer has gone out of business

This happens. Some smaller Perth solar companies don't survive long term. If your installer is no longer operating:

• Your panel and inverter manufacturer warranties remain in effect — contact them directly
• Your workmanship warranty has no party to enforce against — this is the risk of choosing a company without long-term stability
• If the issue is clearly a panel or inverter defect, the manufacturer warranty path is your recourse
• If the issue is clearly an installation defect (e.g. roof leak), you may need to engage a new CEC-accredited installer for repair, at your own cost, then document and seek redress through Fair Trading if the failure is significant

Documentation: Keeping your original installation documentation (invoices, Certificate of Compliance, commissioning report, warranty certificates) is essential for claims when the original installer is no longer available. Store digital copies separately from your email archives.

Consumer protection under Australian Consumer Law (ACL)

Australian Consumer Law provides consumer guarantees independent of manufacturer warranty periods. The guarantee applies to goods of acceptable quality — they must be:

• Safe, lasting, and free from defects
• Acceptable in appearance and finish
• Doing all the things a person would normally expect them to do

For solar panels, "lasting" means lasting for a reasonable period — solar panels are marketed with 25-year performance warranties. A panel that significantly degrades in years 3–5 may not meet the ACL guarantee of acceptable quality, even if outside the manufacturer's stated product warranty period.

ACL claims are made against the seller (your installer) or, if the installer is gone, against the manufacturer where the loss is substantial. Seek legal advice for high-value ACL claims.

Keep your system documentation in an accessible location: original invoices, CEC Certificate of Compliance, panel and inverter model numbers, serial numbers, and warranty certificates. These documents are the foundation of any warranty claim.