Solar Warranty Myths in India: Panels, Inverters & Workmanship

A rooftop solar quotation can show impressive figures such as “25-year performance warranty” or “10-year inverter warranty”. But those numbers do not all mean the same thing. For an Indian homeowner, understanding who covers the solar panels, who covers the inverter, and who is responsible for installation workmanship can prevent unpleasant surprises later.

Understand the difference between solar panel, inverter and workmanship warranties before choosing a rooftop solar system.

This guide separates the most common solar warranty myths from the actual protection you should look for before signing a rooftop-solar contract.

Myth 1: A 25- or 30-Year Panel Warranty Covers Every Panel Problem

Not necessarily. Solar modules commonly come with two different promises: a product warranty and a power-output or performance warranty. They are not interchangeable.

The product warranty deals with eligible manufacturing defects in the module, subject to the manufacturer’s conditions. The performance warranty sets a minimum power-output level over time, usually measured under specified test conditions.

A current Waaree warranty document illustrates the distinction: depending on the module series, its product-warranty term can differ from its 25-, 27- or 30-year power-output warranty. The same document also contains exclusions and claim conditions.

So, when a seller says “30-year warranty”, ask: 30 years for what—product defects or warranted power output?

Myth 2: A Panel Performance Warranty Guarantees 25–30 Years of Electricity Generation

A performance warranty is not a guarantee that your home will receive a fixed number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) each year.

Module power warranties are generally tied to the panel’s rated power under defined test conditions. Waaree’s document, for example, evaluates warranted power output under Standard Test Conditions (STC), rather than guaranteeing the energy produced by an entire rooftop system in real weather.

Your actual solar generation depends on factors such as location, solar irradiation, roof orientation, tilt, shading, module temperature, soiling, inverter performance, electrical losses and system availability. A panel can remain within its power warranty while the overall plant produces less energy because of an unrelated system or site issue.

Remember the units: kW describes power or capacity, while kWh describes energy generated or consumed over time.

Myth 3: The Inverter Is Covered for as Long as the Panels

Do not assume this. The solar inverter is a separate product with its own warranty terms, commencement date, exclusions and claim procedure.

For example, Solis publishes India-specific inverter warranty terms effective for applicable products from 1 July 2025. The document states that the applicable warranty period depends on the covered product details, explains when the warranty starts, and lists exclusions such as certain access, labour or transport costs, improper installation, unauthorised repair and some external events.

That is why the correct question is not simply “What is the inverter warranty?” Ask for the exact warranty document for the inverter model being supplied, including any conditions for registration or extended coverage.

A long module performance warranty does not automatically extend the inverter warranty.

Myth 4: Workmanship Warranty Is the Same as Manufacturer Warranty

This is one of the most important distinctions.

A manufacturer’s warranty normally applies to its own equipment. Installation workmanship is the responsibility of the installer or vendor under your installation contract or applicable scheme conditions. Workmanship issues can involve mounting, cable routing, electrical terminations, system integration, roof penetrations, earthing arrangements or other installation activities.

For installations under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the MNRE guidelines are particularly relevant. Registered vendors are required to provide repairs and maintenance free of cost during a five-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC) period. The model consumer-vendor agreement also says the complete system should be warranted for five years from DISCOM commissioning, while manufacturer warranty documents for individual components must be provided to the consumer.

For installations outside such a scheme, the workmanship term and scope depend on the contract you sign. Get them in writing.

Myth 5: “Under Warranty” Always Means Zero Expense

Not always.

A manufacturer may repair or replace an eligible defective product while excluding some associated expenses. Waaree’s published module terms, for example, state exclusions relating to on-site labour and certain installation, removal, reinstallation, shipping or transportation costs. Solis likewise lists several cost categories and circumstances that may fall outside its inverter limited warranty.

This makes the installer’s service commitment important. Under PM Surya Ghar’s five-year CMC provisions, registered vendors have specific repair and maintenance responsibilities during that period.

Before purchase, ask who pays for technician visits, dismantling, transport, reinstallation and replacement labour if a component fails.

Myth 6: A Warranty Claim Needs Only the Faulty Equipment

Documentation matters.

Solis’s India warranty procedure asks for information including the product model and serial number, invoice and installation report or certificate. MNRE’s PM Surya Ghar model agreement also requires vendors to provide technical and warranty documents for the consumer.

Keep your invoice, quotation, signed contract, commissioning documents, panel and inverter warranty certificates, serial-number records, single-line diagram, photographs and monitoring details together. If a fault occurs, do not open an inverter or attempt rooftop electrical repairs yourself. Use the installer or a suitably qualified solar/electrical professional.

What to Check Before You Buy

Warranty	Usually issued by	What you should verify
Panel product warranty	Module manufacturer	Defects covered, term, exclusions, claim remedy and labour/transport treatment
Panel performance warranty	Module manufacturer	Output curve, test conditions and claim-testing procedure
Inverter warranty	Inverter manufacturer	Exact model, start date, standard/extended term, exclusions and service process
Workmanship/system warranty	Installer/vendor	Installation defects covered, response time, labour, roof-related work and service period
PM Surya Ghar CMC, where applicable	Registered vendor	Five-year obligations, system warranty documents and OEM warranty handover

Do not compare solar quotations only by the biggest warranty number. Compare coverage, exclusions, responsible party, claim process and service support. 

Conclusion

The biggest solar warranty myth is that one headline number protects the entire rooftop system. In reality, panel product warranty, panel performance warranty, inverter warranty and workmanship coverage are separate protections.

Before choosing an installer, ask for the actual warranty documents—not just a brochure claim—and read who pays for labour, transport and reinstallation. For PM Surya Ghar installations, also verify that the vendor’s commitments match the current MNRE scheme requirements.

Planning rooftop solar? Use this warranty checklist while comparing quotations, and insist that every product and workmanship commitment appears in writing before installation.