# Your solar installer has gone. What now?

URL: https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/my-solar-installer-went-out-of-business
Updated: 2026-09-18
Review: Reviewed by SolarRealCost Editorial Team, editorial review: primary sources checked and independently fact-checked

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.

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.

- **The hardware is unaffected.** Panels and inverter carry on.
- **Manufacturer warranties** are held by the manufacturer, not the installer.
- The **workmanship warranty** was the installer's promise and usually goes with them.
- Find your **make, model and monitoring login** and write them down now.
- Another contractor can usually take over **service**, though not everyone will.

## 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. Our [solar panel warranty](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/solar-panel-warranty) guide lists what each warranty should say.

Tool: [Will solar pay for itself on your roof?](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/tools/will-solar-pay-for-itself). Production from NREL's model, at your real rate, with the federal credit shown at $0 and dated.

## 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](https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer) 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.

**If you are on a lease or PPA**
The contract is usually with a finance company rather than the installer, so it commonly survives the installer's closure — including your payment obligation. Read who your counterparty actually is before assuming anything has changed. The [Department of Energy's guide](https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-going-solar) covers the ownership distinction.

## 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](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/how-long-do-solar-panels-last) and [what solar costs to install](https://solarrealcost.com/does-solar-pay/install-solar-panels-cost).

Start the Solar Check: https://solarrealcost.com/check

## 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](https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-going-solar)
- [USA.gov: State consumer protection offices](https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer)
- [NLR (formerly NREL): Solar market research and analysis](https://www.nlr.gov/solar/market-research-analysis/)
- [DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency](https://www.dsireusa.org/)