The 4 Types of Solar Warranty (and Why Each Matters)
When a solar salesperson mentions “25-year warranty,” they’re only talking about one piece. A complete solar installation has four separate warranties from different parties — with very different scopes and durations.
Product (Manufacturer) Warranty
12–15 yearsProvided by:
Panel manufacturer
Covers:
Manufacturing defects, delamination, cell cracking (non-impact), frame corrosion (material failure), junction box failure
If a panel fails due to how it was made — the manufacturer pays. This is your protection against factory defects and premature failure.
Performance Warranty
25–30 yearsProvided by:
Panel manufacturer
Covers:
Guaranteed minimum power output. Typically: 98% at Year 1, then linear degradation to 80–84.8% at Year 25. If output falls below guaranteed level, manufacturer compensates.
This is the warranty that protects your electricity savings. The guaranteed degradation curve directly determines your ROI over 25 years.
Inverter Warranty
5–25 years (varies)Provided by:
Inverter manufacturer
Covers:
Electrical component failure, MPPT tracking failure, display/monitoring failure, firmware-related hardware faults. Does NOT cover surge damage or improper installation.
String inverters (5–12yr) will likely need 1–2 replacements during panel life. Micro-inverters (15–25yr) align better with panel warranty lifespan.
Workmanship (Installer) Warranty
2–10 yearsProvided by:
Your solar installer
Covers:
Installation quality, roof penetration waterproofing, mounting structure integrity, cable management, electrical connections. Trexon provides 10-year workmanship warranty.
This is the MOST underestimated warranty. Roof leaks, loose mounting, and wiring failures are the installer’s responsibility — not the panel manufacturer’s. A weak installer warranty is a major red flag.
Brand Warranty Comparison: LONGi vs Jinko vs Trina vs Canadian Solar
All four brands are widely installed in Malaysia. Here’s how their warranties stack up — and what the degradation guarantees actually mean for your electricity savings.
| Brand | Product | Performance | Year 1 | Year 25 | Annual Deg. | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LONGi SolarTop Pick | 12 yr | 30 yr | 98% | 84.8% | 0.45% | Hi-MO 6 / TOPCon |
| Jinko SolarTop Pick | 12 yr | 30 yr | 98% | 84.8% | 0.45% | Tiger Neo / TOPCon |
| Trina Solar | 15 yr | 25 yr | 97.5% | 84.8% | 0.50% | Vertex S+ / NEG9RC.20 |
| Canadian Solar | 12 yr | 25 yr | 97.5% | 80.7% | 0.55% | HiKu7 / PERC |
Degradation rate matters because it directly impacts your electricity savings. A panel guaranteed at 84.8% at year 25 will generate more electricity — and save you more money — than one guaranteed at 80.7%.
Inverter Warranty: String vs Micro-Inverter
The inverter is the most likely component to need replacing during your system’s life. Its warranty period is significantly shorter than panel warranties — making your choice critical.
String Inverter
Micro-Inverter
RecommendedPro tip: When calculating solar ROI, always factor in 1–2 string inverter replacements. The “cheaper” system may be more expensive over 25 years when you account for replacement costs.
Compare in detail: String vs Micro-Inverter Guide Malaysia 2026
What Your Warranty Actually Covers
Reading warranty fine print is tedious, but these are the details that determine whether you get a RM0 or RM15,000 repair bill. Here’s what each warranty type covers and doesn’t cover.
Product Warranty (12–15 yr)
Covered
- Manufacturing defects discovered after installation
- Premature cell degradation exceeding spec
- Delamination (layers separating inside panel)
- Junction box failure due to material defect
- Frame corrosion from material quality issues
- Glass breakage from internal thermal stress (not impact)
Not Covered
- Physical damage from hail, falling objects, vandalism
- Damage from improper cleaning or maintenance
- Theft of panels
- Acts of God (floods, lightning strike to panel)
- Unauthorized system modifications
Performance Warranty (25–30 yr)
Covered
- Output falling below guaranteed degradation curve
- Premature power loss due to cell chemistry issues
- Light Induced Degradation (LID) beyond specified limits
- Potential Induced Degradation (PID) beyond specified limits
- Compensation (replacement or monetary) when output is below spec
Not Covered
- Normal degradation within guaranteed curve
- Output loss due to shading (trees, new buildings)
- Soiling losses from insufficient cleaning
- Grid curtailment losses
- Output changes from inverter inefficiency
Workmanship Warranty (Trexon: 10 yr)
Covered
- Roof leaks at penetration points (flashings, sealants)
- Mounting structure failure or loosening
- Cable insulation damage from installation
- MC4 connector failure from improper crimping
- System underperformance due to incorrect design or wiring
- Earth faults from improper grounding
Not Covered
- Owner-caused roof damage (walking on panels, DIY repairs)
- Damage from extreme weather beyond building code loads
- Modifications made by third parties after installation
- Normal wear of sealants requiring reapplication after 10+ years
What Voids Your Solar Warranty
Warranty claims are denied when manufacturers or installers determine the damage was caused by the owner or circumstances outside their control. These are the most common reasons warranties are voided in Malaysia.
Unauthorized Modifications
criticalAdding panels, changing inverter settings, modifying wiring, or connecting unauthorized equipment without installer or manufacturer approval voids both product and workmanship warranties immediately.
Third-Party Repairs or Servicing
criticalHaving an uncertified or different company service your system — especially for electrical work — can void manufacturer warranties. Always use SEDA-registered technicians for any servicing.
Improper Cleaning Methods
highPressure washers, abrasive cleaners, metal scrapers, or chemical solvents damage the anti-reflective coating and cell encapsulant. This is specifically excluded in most manufacturer warranties.
Walking or Standing on Panels
highMicro-cracks from walking on panels are invisible at first but cause hotspots and accelerated degradation. Most warranties exclude any physical damage caused by the system owner.
No Maintenance Records
mediumManufacturers may deny claims if you cannot prove “reasonable maintenance.” Keep all service receipts, cleaning records, and annual inspection reports. Photograph your system every 6 months.
Electrical Surge Without Protection
mediumLightning-induced surges are force majeure and typically excluded. However, if your system lacks proper surge protection devices (SPD) — a code requirement in Malaysia — insurers may deny claims.
How to Make a Warranty Claim: Step-by-Step
Most homeowners don’t know how to make a warranty claim until they need one — and by then, missing documentation can derail the process. Follow these steps from day one.
Document the Problem
Take photos and videos of the issue. Screenshot your inverter monitoring app showing the performance drop. Note the date, weather conditions, and when you first noticed the problem.
Before claiming: check if the issue is shading, dirt, or grid outage first. These are not warranty claims.
Contact Your Installer First
Your installer is the first point of contact for ALL warranty issues. They will assess whether it’s a workmanship issue (their responsibility) or a product/performance issue (manufacturer’s responsibility) and manage the claim on your behalf.
Keep your installer’s contact, installation date, and system serial numbers saved.
Gather Your Documentation
You’ll need: original invoice and warranty certificate, installer’s work completion certificate, commissioning test report, monitoring data showing performance history, photos of the defect.
Store all documents in cloud storage (Google Drive) from day one. Physical copies fade and get lost.
Installer Submits Manufacturer Claim
For product or performance warranty claims, your installer submits to the manufacturer’s local representative. In Malaysia: LONGi MY, Jinko Solar MY, or Trina Solar MY. The manufacturer typically sends a technician within 5–15 business days.
Ask for a written claim acknowledgment with a reference number.
Resolution: Replacement or Compensation
Resolution options: (1) Panel replacement with equivalent or better panel, (2) Cash compensation for the value of lost output, (3) System repair at no cost. Performance claims may result in a pro-rated settlement based on remaining warranty period.
Document all communications in writing. Follow up if no response in 10 business days.
Why Installer Warranty Matters More Than You Think
Panel manufacturers don’t cover installation-related failures. That’s the installer’s responsibility. In Malaysia, workmanship warranties vary from 0 to 10 years — a gap that can cost you tens of thousands of ringgit.
What Workmanship Warranty Covers
Trexon’s 10-Year Workmanship Warranty
3-5x industry averageTrexon provides Malaysia’s most comprehensive 10-year workmanship warranty — covering roof penetration waterproofing, mounting structure integrity, electrical connections, and full system performance. This is triple the industry average of 2–3 years.
Warning: A solar company that offers only 1–2 years workmanship warranty is signalling low confidence in their installation quality. If they won’t back their work for 5+ years, why would you trust them with your roof for 25 years?
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose an Installer with a 10-Year Workmanship Warranty
Trexon is SEDA-registered and provides a 10-year workmanship warranty — 3–5x the industry average. Our installations are backed by LONGi, Jinko, and Trina panel manufacturer warranties plus Hoymiles micro-inverter warranties.
SEDA-registered installer • 10-year workmanship warranty • Klang Valley, Selangor, KL, Penang & Johor