Guide
Your solar installer has gone. What now?
An orphaned system still works. Who honours the equipment warranty, what the workmanship warranty is worth now, and how to find someone to service it.
Updated September 18, 20262 min readAwaiting expert review
Written from primary sources by our editorial team. A credentialed reviewer hasn't signed off yet, so this page isn't in search results. It's information, not professional advice.
Not sure where to start? Take the Solar Check.About 2 minutes. Rough answers are fine.An installer closing does not stop your system producing. What you lose is the organisation that would have answered the phone, and that matters most for warranty and monitoring.
First, gather the paperwork
Before anything else, find and save: the panel make, model and quantity; the inverter make, model and serial; the installation date; the interconnection agreement with your utility; and the monitoring platform login. If you have any of these only in an installer portal, export them now.
Manufacturer warranties still stand
Panel and inverter warranties are issued by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer is still trading, a claim goes to them directly — you do not need the installer. What you may need is proof of installation date and the serials, which is why the paperwork matters.
The workmanship warranty is the real loss
Roof penetrations, wiring and mounting were warranted by the company that did them. In practice that promise usually ends when they do. Some states operate contractor recovery funds or bonding requirements that can help; your state consumer protection office is free and is the right place to ask what exists where you live.
Finding someone to service it
Many solar contractors take on orphaned systems, and some specialise in it. Some will decline to work on another company's installation, particularly where roof penetrations are involved and they would inherit the liability. Expect to pay for a service call and expect to be asked for the documentation above.
Bottom line
Save the documentation today, go to the manufacturer for equipment claims, and expect the workmanship warranty to have gone. The system itself is still an asset — see how long solar panels last and what solar costs to install.
Common questions
Does my system stop working?
No. The hardware is unaffected by the installer's business. What you lose is the company that would have serviced it and honoured its workmanship warranty.
Who honours the panel warranty?
The manufacturer, not the installer, provided the manufacturer still exists. Find your panel and inverter make and model and go to them directly.
What about the workmanship warranty?
It was the installer's promise, so in practice it usually goes with them. Some states have contractor recovery funds; your consumer protection office can say.
Can another company service it?
Usually yes. Many solar contractors take on service work for orphaned systems, though some will not touch another company's installation.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: Homeowner's guide to going solar
- USA.gov: State consumer protection offices
- NREL: Solar market research and analysis
- DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
By SolarRealCost Editorial Team. First published September 18, 2026. Advertiser disclosure
Keep reading
