Solar warranties

Sterlingtimes

My installer's website has disappeared. Perhaps that firm is a casualty of downward expectations for the domestic solar business.

This places a question mark over the guarantees and future servicing of expectations.

I wonder whether there is much value in manufacturers' warranties where the installer has gone out of business. Presumably there will be companies who will service solar installations.

tunnel

I would imagine that the warranties still stand. I'd certainly expect Sharp and SMA to honour their obligations should any issues arise even though the 2 sparkies that fitted my first system don't do solar anymore.
I'd liken it to buying a tv from a store, first point of contact is the store and then onto the manufacturer if the store doesn't exist anymore(like comet)

Cardew

tunnel wrote: »

I would imagine that the warranties still stand. I'd certainly expect Sharp and SMA to honour their obligations should any issues arise even though the 2 sparkies that fitted my first system don't do solar anymore.
I'd liken it to buying a tv from a store, first point of contact is the store and then onto the manufacturer if the store doesn't exist anymore(like comet)

Whilst the panel manufacturers might honour any guarantee if they are in business. Who will diagnose the fault? Ditto inverter.


If it is the panels, it will require someone to get on the roof(Health and Safety!) to diagnose and remove the panel(s) or cabling.


Presumably the house owner will have to pay to dispatch panel to Manufacturer, who will then inspect panel and send replacement.


Then a further visit to fit the replacement panel.


If you go back to the days of solar thermal, this was exactly the sort of problems that were encountered. Firms regularly went out of business and started up with another name, voiding the Guarantee.


Lots of these type of articles:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/property/advice/8660048/Beware-of-rogue-traders.html


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1274784/They-tell-solar-panels-eco-friendly-save-money-The-truth-They-dont-work-time-100-YEARS-pay-.html

tunnel

Fair point Mr C,
Luckily for myself I still use one of the 2 sparkies that fitted my first system and would call on him if there was any problems, others may not be so lucky.