Understanding your solar investment

Getting solar is one of the smartest upgrades we can make for our homes, but it’s also a big investment. So, how do you protect it for the long run? The answer is in the warranties. They can feel like a tangle of jargon and fine print, but I’m here to help you unravel them.

A good warranty is more than just a piece of paper; it’s your assurance that the system you install today will still be saving you money for decades to come. Let’s break down what you need to look for.

The main types of solar panel warranties in Australia

When you look at a solar panel quote, you’ll see a few different warranties mentioned. It’s crucial to know the difference, as they cover completely separate things.

• Product warranty: This is the big one. It covers defects in the panel’s materials and manufacturing. Think of it like the warranty on your TV—if it fails due to a fault in how it was made, the manufacturer will repair or replace it. For good quality panels, this is typically between 15 and 25 years. This is arguably the most important warranty to consider.
• Performance warranty: This guarantees your panels won’t degrade too quickly. All solar panels lose a tiny bit of output each year. A performance warranty ensures they will still produce a certain percentage of their original power after 25 or 30 years—usually around 80-85%. While important, claiming on this can sometimes be more difficult than a straightforward product warranty claim.

A quick guide to solar panel warranty comparison Australia

When you’re comparing quotes, a longer warranty period often signals a higher quality, more durable product. A manufacturer that is confident its panels will last will back them with a longer warranty. Many reputable brands now offer a 25-year product warranty to match their 25-year performance warranty, which is a fantastic sign of quality and reliability.

Here’s a look at what some of the top solar panel brands available in Australia were offering as of late 2025.

Top solar panel brands in Australia 2025

Based on installer feedback and market popularity in Australia, a few key names consistently come out on top for performance, value, and warranty support.

• Premium choices: Brands like SunPower and REC are often seen as the top-tier options, known for their high efficiency and outstanding, long-lasting warranties.
• Great all-rounders: Qcells, Trina Solar, and Jinko Solar are incredibly popular choices that balance excellent performance with a more accessible price point.
• Value-focused options: Longi offers a great combination of affordability and solid performance, backed by a strong warranty.

Jinko Solar panel warranty Australia

Jinko is a massive name in Australian solar, and for good reason. They produce reliable panels at a great price. Their popular residential panels, like the Tiger Neo series, typically come with a 25-year product and performance warranty. This makes them a very strong and dependable choice for most homes.

Trina Solar panel warranty Australia

Trina Solar is another top-selling brand in Australia. For their new generation Vertex S residential modules, Trina increased their product warranty to an impressive 25 years. Some of their premium dual-glass panels even come with a 30-year power warranty, offering extra peace of mind.

Longi Solar panel warranty Australia

Longi has become a popular choice for homeowners looking for great value. They have also moved to strengthen their warranty offering, with their Hi-MO 5m series for residential rooftops now featuring a 25-year product warranty to match the 25-year performance warranty.

Canadian Solar panel warranty Australia

Canadian Solar is known for producing durable and reliable panels that perform well in Australia’s tough conditions. Their residential panels typically come with comprehensive product and performance warranties that are competitive within the industry, often ranging up to 25 years.

REC Solar panel warranty Australia

REC is a premium European brand known for exceptional quality. They offer a standout warranty, especially if you use a certified REC installer. The REC ProTrust Warranty includes a 25-year product, 25-year performance, and even a 25-year labour warranty on systems up to 25kW. This means if a panel needs servicing, REC will help cover the cost of the labour to fix or replace it, which is a huge benefit.

SunPower panel warranty Australia

SunPower panels are widely regarded as one of the best you can buy, with industry-leading efficiency and durability. This quality is reflected in their warranty. The SunPower Maxeon panel warranty covers your entire system for 25 years, including product, performance and labour. It’s one of the most comprehensive warranties on the market.

Don’t forget the inverter warranty

Your inverter is the hardest-working part of your solar system, converting the DC power from your panels into AC power your home can use. Because of this, its warranty is usually shorter than the panels’.

A standard inverter warranty is typically 5 to 10 years, though some premium brands offer longer periods or paid extensions. Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular inverter brands in Australia.

Fronius inverter warranty Australia

Fronius inverters are a very popular, high-quality choice. They come with a 5-year Fronius Warranty Plus (covering parts, labour, and transport) as standard. By registering your inverter online, you can get an additional 5 years on parts, for a total of 10 years of coverage. There’s currently a promotion for inverters installed until the end of 2025 to get the full 10 years as “Warranty Plus”.

SMA inverter warranty Australia

SMA is another top-tier German brand known for its reliability. Their string inverters typically come with a 5-year warranty as standard, which can often be extended to 10 years or more for a fee.

Enphase inverter warranty Australia

Enphase makes microinverters, which are small inverters that sit behind each individual solar panel. This is a different approach to the single “string” inverter. In a huge vote of confidence for their product, Enphase recently increased the warranty on their IQ8 series microinverters to an industry-leading 25 years in Australia. This matches the warranty of top-tier solar panels.

SolarEdge inverter warranty Australia

SolarEdge systems use a combination of a central inverter and power optimisers on each panel. Their inverters come with a standard 12-year warranty, which is longer than many competitors. The power optimisers themselves have a 25-year warranty. You can also purchase a warranty extension for the inverter to 20 or 25 years.

Sungrow inverter warranty Australia

Sungrow offers a great balance of quality, features, and value. Their residential inverters typically come with a standard 10-year warranty, which is very competitive.

GoodWe inverter warranty Australia

GoodWe is another brand that provides excellent value for money. Their inverters generally come with a standard warranty of 5 to 10 years, depending on the model.

And what about solar battery warranties?

If you’re adding a battery to your system, it will have its own separate warranty. This is usually based on a period of time (e.g., 10 years) or a certain number of charge/discharge “cycles” or energy “throughput”, whichever comes first.

Tesla Powerwall warranty Australia

The Tesla Powerwall comes with a 10-year warranty. It guarantees the battery will retain at least 70% of its original 13.5kWh capacity over that decade. For typical use like solar self-consumption, the warranty covers unlimited cycles.

BYD battery warranty Australia

BYD is another leading battery provider. Their home battery systems, like the popular Battery-Box series, come with a robust warranty. The battery itself is typically covered for 8 years or 160,000kms throughput, whichever comes first.

The final piece: Workmanship warranty for solar installation Australia

This warranty is just as important as the manufacturer warranties. The workmanship warranty is provided by your installer and covers any defects related to the installation itself, like faulty wiring or roof leaks caused by the install.

Under Australian standards, the minimum workmanship warranty an installer must provide is 5 years, but a good, reputable installer will often offer 10 years or more. This is a huge indicator of the quality of their work.

Gigi’s pro tip: Always choose an installer who is accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). This is the new standard, ensuring your installer is up-to-date with the latest safety and quality requirements.

Making a confident choice

Navigating solar warranties can seem complex, but it really comes down to looking for comprehensive, long-term coverage from reputable companies. A strong set of warranties—covering product, performance, the inverter, and workmanship—is the best protection you can get for your solar investment.

If you’re ready to get a proper quote from a trusted installer in your area, I can help. I only connect homeowners with vetted, local SAA-accredited experts who can provide a detailed quote with all the warranty information you need. Just fill out the form on this page to get started.