650,000 Australian homes have solar from a company that no longer exists

An orphaned solar system is a rooftop solar installation where the company that sold or installed it has since gone out of business. This means the workmanship warranty (typically 5 to 10 years) is effectively voided, because the installer no longer exists to honour warranty claims. Product warranties from the panel and inverter manufacturers may still apply.

Current estimates suggest between 600,000 and 700,000 solar systems in Australia are orphaned. This figure is derived by cross-referencing ASIC deregistration records with CER STC agent registration data to identify how many systems were installed by companies that no longer trade.

Your workmanship warranty is effectively lost. However, your product warranties from manufacturers (e.g. panel performance warranties of 25 years, inverter warranties of 5 to 12 years) remain valid because they are held with the manufacturer, not the installer. You can claim directly with the manufacturer if a product fault arises.

Yes. Any SAA-accredited solar installer can service and repair your system, regardless of who originally installed it. You may also have rights under Australian Consumer Law if the installation was faulty, as state fair trading bodies can sometimes assist with claims against defunct companies.

Search for the company name or ABN on the Australian Business Register (abr.business.gov.au). If the ABN status shows "Cancelled" or the entity is "Not currently registered for GST", the business may no longer be operating. You can also check ASIC Connect for company status and any external administration notices.

First, check your product warranties are still valid by contacting the panel and inverter manufacturers directly. Document your original installation paperwork and any warranty certificates. If you have installation faults, get a quote from another SAA-accredited installer and contact your state fair trading body about potential claims. You may also be covered by state electrical safety regulations.

Your panel manufacturer warranty (typically 25 years for performance, 12 years for product) remains valid regardless of whether your installer still exists. These warranties are between you and the manufacturer. Contact the manufacturer directly with your panel serial numbers to register or make a claim. Your inverter warranty (5 to 12 years depending on brand) also stays valid with the manufacturer. The only warranty you lose is the installer workmanship warranty.

Any SAA-accredited solar installer can diagnose and repair your system. Start by checking your inverter display or app for error codes. Common issues include inverter faults, tripped DC isolators, or shading from new obstructions. If the fault is a product defect (faulty panel or inverter), contact the manufacturer for a warranty replacement. If it is a wiring or installation defect, your state fair trading body may assist with a consumer guarantee claim even if the installer no longer trades.

Our tracker currently lists over 200 solar companies that have ceased trading since 2010. The rate of collapses peaked between 2017 and 2022, coinciding with intense price competition and the rapid expansion of the residential solar market. Many were small operators who could not sustain the low margins of the solar boom. The Clean Energy Regulator estimates the affected installations number between 600,000 and 700,000 systems nationwide.