Solar Warranty Comparison Chart Australia 2026
TL;DR: Premium panels now offer 25 to 40 year product warranties with 0.25 to 0.40% annual degradation. Enphase microinverters lead with 25-year standard warranty. Most string inverters offer 10 years standard with paid extensions to 15 or 20. Battery warranties are 10 to 15 years with 60 to 70% capacity retention guarantees. Always check that your inverter and battery are compatible, as mismatched equipment voids both warranties.
Warranties vary dramatically across solar brands. A cheap system with a 10-year panel warranty and a 5-year inverter warranty will cost you more in replacements than a quality system with 25-year coverage. This page compares every major brand warranty for panels, inverters, and batteries sold in Australia.
Solar Panel Warranties
| Brand / Model | Product Warranty | Performance Guarantee | Degradation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LONGi Hi-MO 6 | 25 years | 30 years (87.4%) | 0.40%/yr | HPBC cell technology. One of the strongest panel warranties in Australia. |
| Jinko Tiger Neo | 25 years | 30 years (87.4%) | 0.35%/yr | N-Type TOPCon. 25-year product warranty applies to Australian market. Tier 1 manufacturer, massive global scale. |
| Trina Vertex S+ | 25 years | 30 years (87.4%) | 0.40%/yr | N-Type TOPCon. Strong warranty backed by local Australian office. |
| Canadian Solar HiKu7 | 12 years | 25 years (84.8%) | 0.55%/yr | N-Type TOPCon. 12-year product warranty is shorter than competitors. Claims via AU office. |
| REC Alpha Pure-R | 25 years | 25 years (92%) | 0.25%/yr | HJT cell. Lowest degradation rate. REC ProTrust warranty includes labour. |
| Q CELLS Q.Peak DUO | 25 years | 25 years (86%) | 0.50%/yr | PERC. Slightly higher degradation than N-Type but proven track record. |
| SunPower Maxeon 7 | 40 years | 40 years (88.3%) | 0.25%/yr | IBC cell. Industry-leading 40-year warranty. Premium price. |
Inverter Warranties
| Brand / Model | Standard | Extended Option | Extension Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fronius Gen24 Plus | 10 years | 15 or 20 years (paid) | $300 to $600 | Must register within 12 months. Extension available via Fronius portal. |
| Sungrow SG/SH Series | 10 years | 15 years (paid) | $200 to $400 | Extension via Sungrow portal. Claims processed through AU distributor. |
| SMA Sunny Tripower | 10 years | 15 or 20 years (paid) | $250 to $500 | Must purchase extension within 5 years. SMA has local AU support centre. |
| Huawei SUN2000 | 10 years | 15 years (paid) | $200 to $400 | Extension via FusionSolar portal. |
| GoodWe DNS/EH | 10 years | 15 years (paid) | $150 to $300 | Lowest cost extension. Claims via AU distributor network. |
| Enphase IQ8+ | 25 years | N/A (already 25yr) | Included | Industry-leading warranty. Each microinverter warranted individually. |
| SolarEdge Home Hub | 12 years | 20 or 25 years (paid) | $200 to $500 | Optimisers carry separate 25-year warranty. |
| Tesla Inverter | 10 years | N/A | N/A | Sold only as part of Tesla solar + Powerwall package. Warranty matches Powerwall warranty period. |
Battery Warranties
| Brand / Model | Capacity | Warranty | Capacity Retention | Cycle Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 2 | 13.5 kWh | 10 years | 70% at 10 years | Unlimited | Warranty not cycle-limited. Covers both indoor and outdoor install. |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 kWh | 10 years | 70% at 10 years | Unlimited | Same warranty as PW2. Integrated inverter adds complexity to claims. |
| BYD Battery-Box HVM | 8.3 to 22.1 kWh | 10 years | 60% at 10 years | 6,000+ | Modular system. Each module warranted independently. |
| Sungrow SBR | 9.6 to 25.6 kWh | 10 years | 60% at 10 years | 6,000 | Must be paired with Sungrow SH inverter for warranty to apply. |
| Enphase IQ Battery | 3.5 or 10.5 kWh | 15 years | 60% at 15 years | 4,000+ | Longest battery warranty in AU market. Must use with Enphase system. |
| SolarEdge Home Battery | 9.7 kWh | 10 years | 70% at 10 years | Unlimited | Must be paired with SolarEdge Home Hub inverter. |
| Alpha ESS SMILE | 5.7 to 22.9 kWh | 10 years | 60% at 10 years | 6,000 | Compatible with GoodWe and select other hybrid inverters. |
| Huawei LUNA 2000 | 5 to 30 kWh | 10 years | 60% at 10 years | 6,000 | Must be paired with Huawei SUN2000 hybrid inverter. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a solar panel performance warranty actually cover?
A performance warranty guarantees that panels will still produce a certain percentage of their original rated output after a set number of years. For example, "30 years at 87.4%" means the manufacturer guarantees at least 87.4% of rated wattage at the 30-year mark. If output drops below this threshold due to a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer must repair or replace the panel. Normal soiling or shading are not covered.
Is it worth paying for an extended inverter warranty?
For string inverters, yes. Inverters are the component most likely to fail before 15 years, and replacement costs $1,500 to $3,000 including labour. An extended warranty from $200 to $600 is good insurance. For Enphase microinverters, the standard 25-year warranty already outlasts the system, so no extension is needed.
What voids a solar warranty in Australia?
Common warranty exclusions include: installation by a non-accredited installer (must be SAA accredited), physical damage from impacts or storms, modifications to the system without manufacturer approval, failure to maintain (excessive dirt buildup or bird damage), and operating outside rated specifications. Importantly, using a product with an incompatible inverter or battery can void the warranty on both items.
How do I make a solar warranty claim in Australia?
Contact your installer first, as they often handle claims on your behalf under Australian Consumer Law. If your installer has gone out of business, contact the manufacturer directly via their Australian office or distributor. Under ACL, the manufacturer must provide a remedy (repair, replace, or refund) for any major failure within a reasonable timeframe regardless of the written warranty period.
Does Australian Consumer Law override manufacturer warranty?
Yes. Under ACL, products must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. Even after the written manufacturer warranty expires, you may still have rights if the product fails sooner than a reasonable consumer would expect. For solar panels with a 25-year performance warranty, regulators have indicated that a reasonable consumer would expect at least 20 years of functional service.
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