Solar Installer Closed? What Happens to Your Warranty in Ireland

What Happens to Your Solar Warranty When Your Installer Goes Out of Business?

It is a scenario no Irish solar owner wants to face: you installed panels two years ago, something goes wrong with your system, and when you contact your installer, you discover the company has closed its doors. With thousands of solar installations completed across Ireland in recent years and growing economic pressures in the renewable energy sector, understanding what happens to your warranty when an installer goes out of business has never been more important.

The good news? Your panels are not automatically worthless. The reality is more nuanced, and knowing the difference between manufacturer warranties and installer workmanship warranties can save you thousands of euro in unnecessary worry and repair costs.

The Two Types of Solar Warranties in Ireland

When you had your solar system installed, you received at least two distinct types of warranty coverage, and understanding the difference is critical if your installer has closed.

Manufacturer Warranties cover the equipment itself, the solar panels, inverter, and battery (if you have one). These warranties are issued directly by the product manufacturer (companies like Jinko, LONGi, SolarEdge, or GivEnergy) and typically include:

• Product warranty: Covers defects in materials and manufacturing, usually for 10 to 25 years on panels and 5 to 12 years on inverters.
• Performance warranty: Guarantees that your panels will produce at least 87 to 92% of their original output after 25 years (degradation of roughly 0.3 to 0.5% per year).

Installer Workmanship Warranties cover the installation itself, mounting, roof penetrations, cabling, and electrical connections. In Ireland, reputable installers typically offer 2 to 10 years of workmanship cover. This warranty is tied directly to the installer, not the equipment manufacturer.

At the time of writing, SEAI registration does not guarantee or endorse an installer's workmanship warranty. SEAI explicitly states on its Find a Registered Professional page that "SEAI does not approve, guarantee or warranty a company or their works." This means SEAI registration confirms eligibility for grants, not long-term warranty protection.

What Stays Valid When Your Installer Closes?

If your installer goes out of business, here is what happens to each type of warranty:

Manufacturer Warranties: Still Valid

Your equipment warranties remain intact. Because these warranties are issued directly by the panel and inverter manufacturers, they do not depend on your installer staying in business. A panel made by Jinko or LONGi will still be covered under the manufacturer's 25-year product and performance guarantees, even if the Irish company that installed it has closed.

However, there is a practical hurdle: manufacturers often require professional testing, photographs, and evidence of the fault before they will honor a warranty claim. This means you will likely need to hire a new SEAI-registered installer or Safe Electric-certified electrician to diagnose the issue and submit the claim on your behalf. Most manufacturers will not deal directly with homeowners.

Installer Workmanship Warranties: Effectively Void

Unfortunately, your installer's workmanship warranty is tied to the company itself, and when that company closes, the warranty is typically voided. If a roof penetration starts leaking or a mounting bracket comes loose three years after installation, you will need to pay out of pocket for repairs. Even if those issues would have been covered under the original workmanship warranty.

This is one of the most significant financial risks of choosing a newer or financially unstable installer. A 5 or 10-year workmanship warranty is only as strong as the company backing it.

Your Legal Rights Under Irish Law

Irish consumer protection law provides some additional safeguards, even when an installer closes. Under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 and the Consumer Rights Act 2022, goods must be of merchantable quality and fit for purpose. If your solar system was defective or poorly installed from the start, you may have grounds for a claim—though enforcing this after a company has closed can be difficult and may require legal advice.

If you paid a deposit and the installer closed before completing the work, check whether your payment was protected. Some installers use escrow services or consumer protection schemes, though this is not universal in the Irish solar market. If you paid by credit card, contact your card provider to explore chargeback options.

What to Do If Your Installer Has Closed

If you have confirmed that your installer is no longer operating, follow these steps:

1. Gather Your Paperwork

Locate your original contract, all warranty documents, NC6 certificate (the Safe Electric completion certificate), and a record of the equipment installed—panel brands, inverter model numbers, and serial numbers. These documents are essential for any future warranty claims or service work.

2. Identify Your Equipment Manufacturers

Note who made each major component (panels, inverter, battery). Visit their websites or contact their Irish distributors to understand the warranty claim process. Tier 1 manufacturers like Jinko, LONGi, REC, and Q CELLS have established claim procedures and are more likely to honor warranties even when the original installer is gone.

3. Check Your Monitoring System

If your installer provided monitoring (via an app or web portal), check whether it is still active. Loss of monitoring means you may not be alerted when something goes wrong, which can void certain performance warranties. If monitoring has stopped, contact a new installer to restore it or switch to a manufacturer-direct monitoring service.

4. Find a Replacement Service Provider

Search for a new SEAI-registered solar installer or Safe Electric-certified electrician in your area who can take over maintenance, repairs, and warranty claims. Ask whether they have experience working with your specific panel and inverter brands. WattCharger offers nationwide support and can assist with troubleshooting, repairs, and manufacturer warranty claims for orphaned systems.

5. Consider Third-Party Warranty Protection

If you are concerned about future workmanship issues, some international providers (such as SolarInsure in the US) offer third-party solar warranties that cover repairs and monitoring independent of the original installer. At the time of writing, dedicated third-party solar warranty products are not widely available in Ireland, but this is an emerging market worth monitoring.

How to Avoid This Problem in the Future

If you are considering solar and want to minimize the risk of your installer closing, here are some practical steps:

• Choose established installers with a proven track record—companies that have been operating in Ireland for at least 5 years are statistically more likely to still be around in 10 or 20 years.
• Ask about financial stability—reputable installers should be transparent about their business health and long-term viability.
• Look for manufacturer-backed extended warranties—some installers offer extended workmanship warranties underwritten by insurance providers, which remain valid even if the installer closes.
• Verify Safe Electric and SEAI registration—while these do not guarantee warranty protection, they confirm the installer meets minimum safety and grant eligibility standards.
• Read online reviews and ask for references—look for patterns of poor after-sales service or unresolved warranty claims.

For a full checklist, see our guide on questions to ask before hiring a solar installer in Ireland.

The Bottom Line

Losing your installer does not mean losing your solar investment. Your manufacturer warranties remain valid, and with the right documentation and a qualified replacement service provider, you can continue to operate and maintain your system for decades. The key is acting quickly, keeping good records, and understanding the difference between equipment warranties (which survive) and workmanship warranties (which do not).

If your installer has closed and you need support with warranty claims, system troubleshooting, or repairs, contact WattCharger for expert advice. We work with all major panel and inverter brands and can help Irish homeowners navigate the complexities of orphaned solar systems.

Ready to Protect Your Solar Investment?

Whether you are dealing with an installer closure or simply want peace of mind for the future, WattCharger offers nationwide solar support, maintenance, and warranty claim assistance. Get in touch for a free consultation and let us help you keep your system running smoothly for years to come.