Solar warranty claims in India: panels, inverter, battery and workmanship

A home solar system usually carries four separate warranties: the module product warranty (defects), the module performance warranty (minimum output over a long period, often 25 years or more), the inverter warranty (usually much shorter), and the vendor's workmanship and maintenance commitment, which under PM Surya Ghar includes a five-year maintenance period from registered vendors. Batteries have their own warranty in years or cycles. To claim, you need the invoice, the warranty card or registration, serial numbers, and evidence of the fault, such as monitoring app data or photos. Most refusals come from missing papers, unauthorised repairs, physical damage, or a fault outside the warranty's scope. This guide explains each warranty, how to claim and what to do if the claim is refused.

The warranties compared

Warranty	Given by	What it typically covers	Common exclusions
Module product	Module manufacturer	Manufacturing defects: delamination, junction box failure, broken frames not caused by handling	Physical damage, improper installation, lightning, fire
Module performance	Module manufacturer	Output stays above stated % of rated power for a stated period	Shading, dirt, wiring faults outside the module
Inverter	Inverter manufacturer	Defects in the inverter	Water ingress from poor mounting, surges without protection, opened casing
Battery	Battery manufacturer	Defects, capacity retention over years or cycles	Use outside temperature range, wrong charger settings, deep discharge abuse
Workmanship and maintenance	Installer (vendor)	Faults in installation, periodic maintenance visits for the agreed period	Damage by others; changes made by third parties

The exact terms are in each manufacturer's document. Ask for them before you buy, not after a fault.

How performance warranties work

A performance warranty might say output will be at least a stated percentage of rated power after year one and decline by no more than a stated percentage each year. Proving a breach usually needs test results from an accredited method, not just a lower electricity bill, because dirt, shade, heat and inverter faults also reduce output. In practice, check the simpler causes first; see low solar generation, cleaning and maintenance.

What voids warranties

Unregistered warranty where the manufacturer requires online registration within a time limit.
Unauthorised repair or opening the inverter casing.
Mismatched components, such as a battery used with an inverter not set for its chemistry.
Physical damage from walking on modules, falling objects or careless cleaning with hard tools.
Missing protection: surge damage where the specified surge protection was not installed.
Poor mounting: water entering an inverter installed in direct rain.

How to make a claim

Record the fault: screenshots of the inverter app showing error codes or a sudden drop, photos of physical defects, dates.
Contact the vendor first: during the maintenance period, the vendor should diagnose and coordinate with the manufacturer.
Contact the manufacturer through its official service channel if the vendor does not act. Give the serial number, invoice and installation date.
Get a ticket number and the expected time for inspection or replacement.
Ask for written reasons if a claim is refused.

Documents to keep

Tax invoice with GST details;
module serial numbers and DCR certificate;
inverter and battery serial numbers;
warranty cards and registration confirmations;
commissioning report and single-line diagram;
maintenance visit records.

Worked example (illustrative)

Four years after installation, an inverter shows a fault code and stops. The vendor's five-year maintenance period is still running.

The owner sends the vendor a screenshot of the error and the serial number.
The vendor's technician confirms an internal fault and raises a claim with the manufacturer.
The manufacturer asks for the invoice and installation date. The inverter's warranty term has expired by a few months, but the owner had bought an extended warranty at installation. The replacement is approved.
Without the extended warranty, the owner would have paid for a replacement inverter, which in a payback calculation is often assumed once in the system's life.

Lesson: compare the inverter warranty term with your payback period, and consider an extended warranty if offered at a fair price.

If the claim is refused

Ask for the refusal in writing with reasons.
If the reason is wrong (for example, they say the system was unregistered but you have the confirmation), reply with the evidence.
Complain to the National Consumer Helpline (1915).
File before a consumer commission for deficiency in service if the matter is not resolved. See how to complain.

Vendor goes out of business

Manufacturer warranties on modules and inverters usually survive the installer's closure, so register them in your own name. The workmanship and maintenance commitment may be lost. Under PM Surya Ghar, inform the DISCOM and the national portal if a registered vendor stops servicing installations. Keep a list of other registered vendors who could take over maintenance for a fee.

Back to the pillar guide: rooftop solar mistakes and official sources. Related: solar quotation and vendor checklist, home batteries.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 25-year warranty cover the whole system?

No. It usually covers module performance only. Inverters, batteries and the structure have shorter terms.

Who pays for transport and labour on a warranty replacement?

It depends on the warranty terms. Some cover only the part. Read the terms before buying.

Can I clean the panels myself without voiding the warranty?

Usually yes, if you follow the manufacturer's cleaning guidance: soft water, soft brush, no abrasive tools or high-pressure jets.

Is lightning damage covered?

Often excluded from manufacturer warranties. Home insurance may cover it; check your policy.

Official sources

National Consumer Helpline — 1915, warranty disputes
Bureau of Indian Standards — product registration
PM Surya Ghar national portal — vendor obligations and grievances