What Happens If Your Solar Company Goes Out of Business?
Have you been trying to get in touch with your solar installer only to find out that they’re no longer in business?It’s frustrating, especially if your panels aren’t working and you need help. But just because your original installer isn’t around anymore, doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
At SouthFace Solar & Electric, we offer solar maintenance and repairs for all systems, even ones we didn’t originally install.
Here’s what you need to know.
A Lot Depends on How You Paid for Your System
Your situation will be a little bit different depending on how you paid for your solar panels.
Cash
If you paid cash, you own your system outright. That makes things simple. We can step in and help with repairs, maintenance, or anything else you need.
Loan
If you financed your system with a loan, you’re still the owner, so we can help. It’s a good idea to check in with your lender just to make sure everything’s okay, but your installer going out of business shouldn’t affect your loan.
Lease
Leased systems are trickier. Since the leasing company technically owns the equipment, they’re usually the only ones allowed to service it.
If your leasing company went out of business, there’s a good chance your lease was sold to another provider. They should reach out to you, but you can also try contacting them directly.
We need approval from your leasing company in order to fix your leased system, but we are often able to obtain that approval if you know who owns your lease.
What Will Happen to My Warranty?
Labor Warranties Might Be Invalidated
If your installer or leasing company offered a workmanship or labor warranty, it may no longer be valid if the company is out of business.
Equipment Warranties Won’t Change
Your parts/equipment warranties are upheld by the manufacturer, which means they should still be valid even if your installer isn’t around anymore.
We recommend reaching out to your manufacturer to check on your equipment warranty. If your system needs repairs, we can help you submit a claim and work with your manufacturer to get the replacement parts you need.
What Should I Do When I Need Maintenance or Repairs?
If something’s not right with your solar system, you need to find a solar installer that can help. A lot of companies won’t touch systems they didn’t install, but at SouthFace Solar & Electric, we’re happy to help.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Don’t Wait – The longer your system is down, the more money you’re spending on grid electricity.
- Check your monitoring app – This can give you a good idea of what’s wrong with your system and what kind of repairs you might need.
- Track down your system info – If you still have your proposal or contract from your installation, hang onto it. It might have information that will make repairing or upgrading your system easier.
- Call your manufacturer for warranty support. Your manufacturer should be able to provide details about your warranty and what’s covered.
Need Service or Have Questions? We’re Here to Help
If your installer left you hanging, SouthFace Solar & Electric is here for you! We’ve been installing solar panels in Arizona since 2008, and we’re not going anywhere. We’re a locally owned solar company that’s proud to help homeowners across Arizona keep their systems up and running, no matter who did the original install.
