If your installer closes down, the manufacturer warranties on your panels, inverter and battery usually remain in force, but the installer's workmanship warranty generally goes with the business. The practical problem is that manufacturer claims normally run through the installer, so without them you deal with the manufacturer or its Australian office yourself, and you may need to pay another installer for diagnosis, removal and reinstallation. The records you keep and the brands you choose decide how painful that becomes.

Which warranties survive and which do not

Typical terms show what is at stake: panel product warranties commonly run 12-25 years and performance warranties 25-30 years, inverter warranties are commonly 5-10 years and LFP battery warranties commonly 10 years. Workmanship warranties vary widely between installers. Our solar panel warranty guide explains each type in detail.

What manufacturer warranties often leave out

Even a valid manufacturer claim can leave you with costs that an installer would normally absorb or organise for you. Read the warranty document for:

• Labour: some warranties supply a replacement part only, leaving removal and reinstallation to you.
• Freight: shipping the faulty unit back and the replacement out may be excluded.
• Roof access: scaffolding or height safety equipment for replacing panels is rarely included.
• Diagnosis: someone has to show the fault lies with the product, not the installation.
• Installation conditions: claims can be refused if equipment was installed incorrectly, which is harder to dispute once the installer is gone.

Separately from written warranties, the Australian Consumer Law gives you rights that apply regardless of what a warranty document says, and in some situations you may be able to seek a remedy directly from the manufacturer or importer. For guidance on your own situation, contact your state's fair trading office.

If the installer closes before the job is finished

The hardest situation is a business that stops trading after taking a deposit, or after installing the panels but before the paperwork is complete. Work through these points:

• Deposit paid, nothing installed: keep the contract and receipts, and seek advice from your state's fair trading office about your options as a creditor or consumer.
• System installed but not switched on: do not try to turn it on. Have a licensed electrician and accredited installer inspect it and confirm whether the installation is safe and compliant.
• No compliance certificate: the electrician who takes over may need to test and certify the work before the system can be used.
• Grid connection not approved: the new installer can check whether an application was lodged with your network and submit one if needed.
• STC paperwork incomplete: ask the new installer to check how the STC discount on your contract was handled before you pay any further amount.

Paying most of the price on completion, rather than upfront, limits your exposure to this scenario in the first place.

How to claim when your installer has gone

1. Check the monitoring app or inverter display and record any error codes, dates and photos, without opening any equipment.
2. Find the manufacturer's Australian warranty contact on your warranty certificate or datasheet.
3. Lodge the claim with your proof of purchase, installation date, serial numbers and fault details.
4. If the manufacturer asks for a technical report, engage a licensed, accredited installer to diagnose the fault in writing.
5. Have the replacement fitted by an accredited installer so the new part keeps its own warranty.

Expect to pay for a service call to diagnose the problem. Some installers happily service systems they did not install, while others are selective about unfamiliar or discontinued equipment, so ask before arranging a visit.

The documents that protect you

Keep a single folder, paper or digital, containing:

• The signed contract, final invoice and proof of payment.
• Panel, inverter and battery models and serial numbers.
• Warranty certificates and any registration confirmations.
• The electrical compliance certificate and network connection approval.
• The STC assignment form and the system design or panel layout.
• Photos of the installation, including the switchboard, inverter and roof array.
• Monitoring account login details, with the account registered in your own name.

If a manufacturer requires warranty registration within a set period, check it has been done yourself rather than assuming the installer did it. Store a copy of the folder somewhere other than the house, such as cloud storage, so it survives if the originals are lost or damaged.

Choosing brands and installers with this risk in mind

Nobody can know whether a particular business will still be trading in 15 years, but you can reduce the fallout. Favour equipment brands with an Australian office, local stock of replacement parts and a clear consumer warranty process, and check how long each brand has supported products in Australia. Our panel brands comparison covers what separates established manufacturers.

When comparing installers, look for signs of stability: accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia, a physical base in your region, public liability insurance, New Energy Tech Approved Seller status and a clear after-sales process. The installer selection guide sets out how to check each one. Also ask whether the workmanship warranty is backed by anything beyond the company itself, and keep any deposit modest so you are not exposed if a business fails before installation.

Next steps

Gather your system documents now, while everything is working, and register any warranties that are still unregistered. If your installer has closed and you need a fault diagnosed, Solar Fault Diagnosis is listed at $249 for the call-out and first hour in the energy market, an indicative price. For a new or replacement system, request a free assessment from Blue Energy Solar, a New Energy Tech Approved Seller with SAA-accredited installers and $20 million public liability cover.

Frequently asked questions

Can a new installer take over my old workmanship warranty?

Not automatically. A workmanship warranty is a promise made by the business that did the work, so another installer has no obligation to honour it. Some installers will inspect an existing system and then warrant any repairs or rectification work they carry out themselves. Ask exactly what their warranty covers before agreeing to paid work on a system they did not install.

What if the manufacturer has also left the Australian market?

Claims become much harder. The warranty may still exist on paper, but without a local office you may have to deal with an overseas business or accept that replacement is the practical option. In that case, a licensed installer can advise whether a compatible replacement inverter or panels will suit your system and what approvals the change needs.

Does home insurance cover a failed inverter or panel?

Home insurance policies generally cover sudden events such as storms, fire or lightning rather than wear or manufacturing faults, although terms differ between insurers. Read your product disclosure statement and ask your insurer how solar equipment is treated. Keep photos and serial numbers on file, because insurers and manufacturers both ask for them when assessing a claim.