When you compare your solar panel options from leading companies like SunPower, Canadian Solar, LG, and Hyundai, one of the biggest factors to consider is the solar panel warranties offered with their products. Solar panels come with two main warranties attached: the materials warranty, also known as the product warranty, and the production warranty.
The materials warranty guarantees that your solar panels will be free from problems caused by manufacturing defects or durability issues. If your panels fail as a result of one of these problems, the manufacturer will provide you with a replacement at no cost. The industry standard for the materials warranty is 10 years, although as you can see in the table below, the best solar panels offer up to a 25-year warranty.
The production warranty is related to how much power your panels will generate over time. Solar panel performance naturally degrades over time at a relatively slow and steady rate. To give you a sense of what to expect year-over-year, your solar panels also come with a power production warranty, which guarantees that their panels will retain a certain percentage of their production capacity over the first 25 years.
Solar panel warranties by company table
| Company | Materials Warranty | Production Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Solar | 10 years | 83% |
| Hyundai | 12 years | 80.2% |
| LG | 25 years | 90.8% |
| Panasonic | 25 years | 90.76% |
| REC Solar | 20 years | 80.7% |
| SunPower | 25 years | 94% |
| Trina Solar | 10 years | 80.7% |
Read on to learn more about warranties for leading solar panel brands below.
SunPower warranty: industry-leading brand with warranties to match
Materials Warranty: 25 years
Production Warranty: Up to 92% of initial capacity after 25 years
SunPower solar panels are often cited as one of the best PV options available on the market in the United States, both for their above-average efficiency and for their industry-leading product warranties.
SunPower offers a 25-year materials warranty – one of the only companies in the industry to do so – and additionally guarantees that their panels will produce electricity at no less than 92% of their original capacity after 25 years of operation. While SunPower panels often come at a significant price premium, you can be certain that the company will stand by its products for the long haul.
LG solar panel warranty: EnergySage’s most frequently quoted brand offers solid warranties across the board
Materials Warranty: 25 years
Production Warranty: Up to 87% of initial capacity after 25 years (depending on product)
LG is the brand of solar panel most frequently featured in quotes to homeowners and businesses on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace, and for good reason. The company is well known for high-quality electronics and manufactures its solar panel products in South Korea.
LG’s solar panel warranty covers manufacturing defects for 25 years, which is in line with the best warranties in the industry. Its production warranty is also higher than average (although it can’t beat SunPower) – some LG solar panels are guaranteed to operate at no less than 87% of initial capacity after 25 years in operation.
Panasonic solar panel warranty: leading electronics manufacturer takes on solar
Materials Warranty: 25 years
Production Warranty: Up to 90.76% of initial capacity after 25 years
Panasonic recently entered the U.S. market for solar panels, and thanks to their reputation as a reliable manufacturer of electronics, they’re already a popular choice for U.S. homeowners installing solar.
The warranty offerings for Panasonic’s solar panels are the strongest of any of the top brands on this list, surpassing even SunPower’s production warranty. Their HIT line of panels comes with an industry-leading 25-year materials warranty and a remarkable production warranty of 90.76% after 25 years.
Canadian Solar warranty: popular mid-range brand with variety of options
Materials Warranty: 10 years
Production Warranty: Up to 83% of initial capacity after 25 years
Canadian Solar is a popular panel option for homeowners shopping for solar on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. The company, which manufactures its panels in Canada, China, and Vietnam, offers a variety of mid-range solar panel products.
All Canadian Solar panels come with an industry-standard 10-year materials warranty, but their production warranty differs depending on which line of solar panels you purchase. Canadian Solar offers warranties for production that range from 80.2% to 83% of their original capacity after 25 years.
Hyundai solar panel warranty: a budget option from a well-known brand
Materials Warranty: 10 to 12 years
Production Warranty: Up to 80.2% of initial capacity after 25 years
Hyundai’s solar panel offering is produced by a separate branch of the company that owns Hyundai Motors. Like LG, their panels are manufactured in South Korea, but their products are generally considered to be an “economy” option for homeowners looking for a low-cost solar installation.
The Hyundai solar panel warranty for production is often a flat 80% of initial capacity after 25 years, and the materials warranty is either five or 10 years depending on the product line that you purchase.
Compare solar panel warranties & costs on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace
Finding the right solar panel system for your home means comparing multiple quotes from solar installers. The EnergySage Solar Marketplace can help you find local solar installers near you and make easy side-by-side comparisons of all your solar options, including panels & warranties offered, installers, and financing. By shopping around first, you can find the right option at the right price – warranties and all.
NOTE: the data in this piece was last updated July 2019 and is updated every 6 months.