A solar panel warranty in Ireland is really several warranties stacked together: one for the panels as products, one for their power output, one for the inverter, one for any battery, and one from the installer for the work itself. Each comes from a different company, runs for a different length of time and is claimed in a different way. This guide explains each type, the minimums SEAI sets for grant-aided homes, and what you can do if your installer closes down. Checked 26 October 2026.
The five warranties on a solar PV system
| Warranty | Who gives it | What it covers | SEAI minimum (grant-aided homes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel product | Panel manufacturer | Defects in the panel’s materials and manufacture | 10 years |
| Panel performance | Panel manufacturer | Minimum output over time | ≥90% after 10 years, ≥80% after 25 years |
| Inverter | Inverter manufacturer | Inverter faults | 5 years (string), 10 years (microinverter) |
| Battery | Battery manufacturer | Faults and capacity loss, usually with conditions | Not set in the Code of Practice |
| Workmanship | Your installer | Installation faults: fixings, cabling, roof penetrations, commissioning | Not set in the Code of Practice |
Solar panel warranty Ireland: product vs performance
Product warranty
This covers the panel itself failing because of a manufacturing defect, such as delamination, a faulty junction box or a broken frame. Current residential panels typically offer well above SEAI’s 10-year minimum. For example, Jinko’s Tiger Neo 48HL4M-DB and AIKO’s Neostar 3P+54 both list 25 years, while LONGi’s Hi-MO X10 LR7-54HVH lists 15 years (Jinko, AIKO, LONGi datasheets).
Performance (power) warranty
This guarantees the panel will still produce a set share of its rated power after a number of years. All three panels above carry 30-year linear power warranties, guaranteeing 87.4% (Jinko) or 88.85% (LONGi, AIKO) of rated output at year 30. A performance claim usually needs evidence: the manufacturer may ask for test results showing the panel is below the guaranteed level, so keep your monitoring data.
Inverter warranties
The inverter usually has the shortest warranty of the main components. SEAI’s minimum is 5 years for a string inverter and 10 years for microinverters (SEAI). Manufacturers often go further: Huawei lists 10 years for its SUN2000-L1 hybrid (distributor listing), and SolarEdge’s Home Hub brochure advertises 12–25 years (SolarEdge). Extended warranties sometimes require online registration within a set period, so register the product as soon as it’s installed.
Battery warranties
Battery warranties are typically 10 years, but they almost always come with conditions:
- Capacity floor: Sigenergy guarantees its batteries will keep 70% of usable energy for 10 years (Sigenergy European warranty).
- Throughput cap: the same warranty ends early if the battery delivers a set amount of energy first, for example 15.85MWh for a 5kWh module.
- Connectivity: Tesla’s Powerwall 3 datasheet says the unit must be reliably connected to the internet to secure the full 10-year warranty (Tesla).
If you plan to charge your battery on a cheap night rate every day, ask how that affects the throughput limit. Our battery storage advice covers sizing and usage.
Workmanship warranties
This is the installer’s promise about their own work: that the panels are securely fixed, the roof stays watertight where brackets pass through slates or tiles, and the wiring and commissioning are correct. SEAI’s Code of Practice sets technical standards for the installation, but we couldn’t find a minimum workmanship warranty period in it. That makes it one of the most important things to compare between quotes. Ask:
- How many years does your workmanship warranty run, and is it in writing?
- Does it cover roof leaks caused by the installation?
- Will you come back to fix a fault for free, including scaffolding?
- If you offer an insurance-backed guarantee, who is the insurer, and can I see the policy?
Our compare solar quotes guide includes warranty questions in its side-by-side checklist.
Your consumer rights sit on top of any warranty
Warranties add to your legal rights; they don’t replace them. The CCPC says warranties do not replace your statutory consumer rights under Irish law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2022, and that you can be entitled to a repair, replacement or refund if a fault arises for up to six years after purchase (CCPC). Installation is a service, and the CCPC says you also have strong rights when a service falls short of what you agreed or would normally expect (CCPC). If you’re unsure, the CCPC’s helpline can advise.
What happens if the installer closes?
Solar installers, like any business, can cease trading. If that happens:
- Manufacturer warranties don’t disappear. Panel, inverter and battery warranties come from the manufacturers, not the installer. Claims are often routed through the installer or the distributor, so contact the manufacturer’s Irish or European support team or distributor directly.
- Workmanship warranties usually go with the business. Unless the guarantee was insurance-backed or transferred to another company, a closed installer can’t honour it.
- Get another registered contractor to inspect. The CRU says you should always use a Registered Electrical Contractor for electrical work and ask for a completion certificate (CRU).
- Check your grid paperwork. If you’re not sure an NC6 was submitted, ESB Networks has a retrospective registration process (ESB Networks). Export payments depend on it (CRU).
The best protection is a complete paper file from day one. It also helps when you sell; see whether solar panels add value to your home.
Keep these documents
SEAI’s application guide advises keeping the warranties for solar PV modules, inverters and mounting system with your installation documents (SEAI application guide V6.0), and the Code of Practice requires the installer to hand over datasheets, warranties and an operation and maintenance manual. Keep:
- Signed contract and itemised invoice, showing exact model numbers
- Datasheets and warranty documents for panels, inverter, battery and mounting system
- Installer’s written workmanship warranty
- Safe Electric completion certificate, NC6 and SEAI documents
- Product registration confirmations and serial numbers
- Monitoring logins and periodic screenshots of generation
Good maintenance habits also help keep warranties valid; see solar panel maintenance and cleaning in Ireland.
FAQs
How long is a solar panel warranty in Ireland?
It depends on the manufacturer. SEAI requires at least a 10-year product warranty and a performance warranty of at least 80% after 25 years for grant-aided systems. Many current panels offer 15–25 years’ product cover and 30 years on performance.
Does the SEAI grant require a workmanship warranty?
We couldn’t find a minimum workmanship warranty in SEAI’s Code of Practice V3.0. Ask each installer for theirs in writing and compare them.
Who do I contact if my inverter fails?
Start with your installer. If they’ve closed, contact the inverter manufacturer or its distributor with the serial number, invoice and installation date.
Are solar battery warranties really 10 years?
Usually, but with conditions such as a minimum retained capacity (often 70%), a throughput cap and, for some brands, a permanent internet connection.
Do I still have rights if there’s no warranty?
Yes. The CCPC says warranties don’t replace statutory rights, and you can be entitled to a repair, replacement or refund for faults arising up to six years after purchase.
Get your solar quote today
Get your solar quote today. Tell us about your home and we’ll connect you with SEAI-registered installers whose quotes set out every warranty, so you can compare the cover as well as the price. Or call 089 450 4544.
