The short answer
Installing solar does not automatically void your roof warranty, but it can if the work is done wrong or by an uncertified installer. Each part of a roof with solar has its own warranty, held by a different company, so get in writing who covers what, especially around the solar mounts.
Labor to remove and replace a failed part is often not covered. See the checklist before you sign.
A roof with solar panels on it is not covered by one warranty. It is covered by several, and they belong to different companies: the roofing manufacturer, the roofer, the panel manufacturer, the inverter manufacturer, and the solar installer. When something goes wrong, the hard part is knowing which warranty applies and who to call first. This guide maps it out.
Table of contents
- Key Takeaways
- The Warranty Layers on a Roof with Solar
- Who Covers What When the Roofer and Solar Installer Are Different Companies
- What Manufacturer Warranties Usually Do Not Cover
- What Happens If a Company Goes Out of Business
- How Warranties Work When One Company Does Both
- Warranty Checklist Before You Sign
- How to Make a Warranty Claim
Key Takeaways
- There are at least five separate warranties on a roof with solar, each held by a different party.
- Panel warranties cover the panels, not your roof, and roof warranties cover the roofing, not the panels.
- The gray zone is the roof area around solar mounts, where responsibility depends on who did the work and what the contracts say.
- Manufacturer warranties usually do not pay for labor, and some require a certified installer to stay valid.
- Ask every company to put in writing what it covers, for how long, and what voids the coverage.
Does Installing Solar Panels Void Your Roof Warranty?
Not automatically. Whether solar affects your roof warranty depends on three things: the roofing manufacturer’s written terms, who installs the panels, and how the roof is sealed where the mounts go through it. Some manufacturers require certified installers or specific flashing methods to keep coverage valid, and others are more flexible.
What Can Put Your Roof Warranty at Risk
The usual causes are installation work that does not follow the manufacturer’s requirements, a leak at a solar mount that no one will take responsibility for, and repairs by a contractor the manufacturer does not recognize. None of these is automatic, but any of them can lead to a denied claim.
How to Protect Your Coverage
Before signing, ask the roofing manufacturer or your roofer for written confirmation that the roof warranty stays valid when solar is added, and under what conditions. Then ask the solar installer in writing who covers the roof around the mounts and for how long. If a claim is ever denied, see what to do when a roofing warranty is denied.
California Licensing: Who Does What
In California, roofing work is done under a C-39 roofing license and solar installation under a C-46 solar license, and both are verified on the CSLB website. When the roofer and solar installer are different companies, you are dealing with two licensed contractors and two separate warranties. For how coverage works if one of them closes, see roof warranties when a contractor is out of business.
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The Warranty Layers on a Roof with Solar
Before you can tell who covers what, you need to know what each warranty actually protects.
Roof Material Warranty
This comes from the roofing manufacturer and covers defects in the shingles, tile, metal, or other material. It does not cover installation mistakes.
Roofer Workmanship Warranty
This comes from the company that installed the roof. It covers errors in how the roof was put on, such as flashing, underlayment, and fastening problems that cause leaks.
Solar Panel Product Warranty
Also called a materials warranty, this covers defects in the panel itself. Many panel warranties run at least 10 to 12 years, and premium panels now offer 25 years or more.
Solar Panel Performance Warranty
Also called a power warranty, this guarantees the panel will still produce a minimum share of its original output after a set number of years. A common term is 25 years, with a guarantee of at least 80 percent of original output or higher on premium panels.
Inverter and Racking Warranties
Inverters and mounting hardware have their own warranties, separate from the panels. A panel warranty generally does not cover them.
Solar Installer Workmanship and Roof Penetration Warranty
This comes from the solar installer and covers installation issues such as wiring and roof penetrations. Workmanship terms vary widely between companies, from a year or two to 10 years or more.
Warranty Layers at a Glance
| Warranty | Who provides it | What it covers | Typical term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof material | Roofing manufacturer | Defective shingles, tile, or metal | 10 to 50 years depending on material |
| Roofer workmanship | Roofing contractor | Installation errors that cause leaks | Varies by contractor |
| Panel product | Panel manufacturer | Defects in the panel | At least 10 years, often 25 or more on premium panels |
| Panel performance | Panel manufacturer | Minimum power output over time | Often 25 to 30 years |
| Inverter | Inverter manufacturer | Defective inverter or microinverters | About 10 to 12 years for string inverters, up to 25 for microinverters |
| Solar workmanship and penetrations | Solar installer | Wiring, mounting, and roof penetration work | Commonly 1 to 10 years, longer with some companies |
Terms vary by brand, product line, and contract. Always check the current warranty document for your exact equipment.
Who Covers What When the Roofer and Solar Installer Are Different Companies
| What goes wrong | Most likely responsible party | Which warranty applies |
|---|---|---|
| A panel cracks or fails because of a defect | Panel manufacturer | Product warranty |
| Panel output drops below the guaranteed level | Panel manufacturer | Performance warranty |
| An inverter stops working | Inverter manufacturer | Inverter warranty |
| Labor to swap a failed part | Often you, unless a program or workmanship warranty covers it | Usually excluded from manufacturer warranties |
| A leak around a solar mount | Solar installer | Installer workmanship or penetration warranty |
| Shingles or tile fail on their own | Roofing manufacturer | Roof material warranty |
| A leak caused by bad flashing or underlayment | Roofer | Roofer workmanship warranty |
| Panels must be removed for a roof replacement | Depends on contracts and who does the work | Often not clearly covered |
| Your installer goes out of business | Manufacturers remain, installer coverage may end | Manufacturer warranties usually continue |
The Gray Zone Around Roof Penetrations
Solar mounts create new holes in a roof. If the roofer and the solar installer are different companies, a leak there can turn into a dispute. The roofer may say the solar installer made the penetration. The solar installer may say the roofing underneath was already flawed. Some solar installers guarantee the roof area around their mounts for several years, often up to 10, but the terms are not the same everywhere, so get the exact wording. Our guide to solar panel roof mounts and warranty goes deeper on this part.
Roof Replacement After Panels Are Installed
When an older roof needs replacing, the panels have to be detached and reset. That work can affect warranties on both sides. If the work is done by a contractor who is not certified for the panel brand, it can put manufacturer coverage at risk. Read more in our guide on replacing a roof with solar panels already installed, and see how order matters in replacing your roof before solar.
What Manufacturer Warranties Usually Do Not Cover
Manufacturer coverage looks strong on paper, but the fine print limits it. Watch for these gaps:
- Labor: most manufacturers ship a replacement part but do not pay someone to remove and install it. A single service visit to remove and replace a failed part can add up quickly, so ask who pays before work starts.
- Shipping: some warranties cover the part but not the cost to ship it to you.
- Certified installer rules: some warranties, or their extended versions, require the work to be done by a certified installer.
- Transferability: check whether coverage passes to a new owner when you sell your home.
- Environment limits: some warranties restrict coverage near salt water.
- Weather events: damage from extreme weather is typically excluded, and homeowner insurance may apply instead.
- DIY work: doing your own installation or repairs can disqualify a claim.
Want one company responsible for both? Book a free inspection and we’ll explain how a roof and solar bundle is covered.
Get a Free Roof InspectionWhat Happens If a Company Goes Out of Business
| Who closes | What usually survives | What may be lost |
|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | Panel and inverter manufacturer warranties | The installer’s workmanship and penetration warranty |
| Roofer | Roofing manufacturer warranty, if you qualify | The roofer’s workmanship warranty |
| Panel manufacturer | Installer and roofer workmanship warranties | The panel product warranty, unless a successor takes it over |
Even when a manufacturer warranty survives, you may need a certified installer to file the claim. If your roofer closes, see our guide to roof warranties when a contractor is out of business.
How Warranties Work When One Company Does Both
When the same company installs the roof and the solar, there is one party to call for the integration. US Power Roofing’s roof and solar bundle includes a 25-year solar panel performance warranty, roof warranty coverage of 10 to 50 years depending on material, a workmanship warranty, and a leak-free guarantee on all penetrations. Because one company installs both systems, there is no argument about who is responsible if a mount causes a leak. See the full roof and solar bundle for what is included.
Manufacturer warranties still apply to the equipment itself. A single installer does not replace them. It simply closes the gap between them.
Warranty Checklist Before You Sign
- Get a copy of every warranty document: roofing material, roofer workmanship, panel, inverter, racking, and installer workmanship.
- Ask which company is responsible for a leak around a solar mount, and get the answer in the contract.
- Ask whether the roofing manufacturer’s warranty stays valid when solar is added, and by whom.
- Check whether labor is covered on replacements and for how long.
- Confirm whether coverage transfers if you sell your home.
- Ask what voids each warranty, including work done by other contractors.
- Find out whether the company is licensed and insured for the work it is doing.
- Register the equipment with the manufacturer if registration is required.
Not sure what your current warranties cover? We’ll review your roof and your options at no cost.
Get a Free Roof InspectionHow to Make a Warranty Claim
- Identify the layer: decide whether the problem is a product defect, performance drop, leak, or installation issue.
- Gather documents: collect contracts, warranty certificates, serial numbers, photos, and monitoring data.
- Contact the right party: defects go to the manufacturer; workmanship issues go to the company that did the work.
- Ask about labor: confirm who pays for removal and installation before work starts.
- Keep records: save emails and dates in case of a dispute. If a claim was denied, see our guide to what to do when a roofing warranty is denied.
Related guides: Roof and Solar Warranties
- Roofing and solar in CaliforniaHow a roof and solar bundle works and what is included.
- Solar panel roof mounts and warrantyWho covers a leak at a mount, and for how long.
- Replacing a roof with solar panels installedWhat it takes and how it affects warranties.
- Replace your roof before installing solar?Why the order matters.
- Roof warranty if your contractor closesWhat stays covered when the installer is gone.
- What to do when a roofing warranty is deniedSteps to take after a denied claim.
- One contractor for roof and solarWhere the savings really come from.
- Solar roofing tiles in CaliforniaHow they compare with panels on a roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not automatically. It depends on the roofing manufacturer’s terms and who does the installation. Ask for written confirmation that the roof warranty stays valid after solar is added, and confirm who covers the roof area around the mounts.
Start with the company that did the work near the leak. A leak at a solar mount usually goes to the solar installer, while a leak from flashing or underlayment goes to the roofer. If both are the same company, there is one number to call.
This is the most common dispute, and it is why you should get responsibility for the roof around the mounts in writing before the work starts. If it has already happened, gather both contracts and warranty documents, photograph the leak, and ask both companies for a written response. A single company installing both systems avoids the problem.
Generally no. Panel warranties cover defects in the product, not the labor to detach and reset panels for other work. Plan and price that work in your roof replacement quote.
Many are, but not all. Check each warranty for transfer rules, including any paperwork or fees, before you buy.
Product warranties commonly run at least 10 to 12 years, with premium panels offering 25 years or more. Performance warranties often run 25 to 30 years. Always check the terms for your specific panel.
Manufacturer warranties on the equipment generally continue as long as the manufacturer exists, but the installer’s workmanship warranty may end. You may also need a certified installer to file a claim.
Often it does not. Most manufacturers do not reimburse labor, though a few offer limited programs through certified installers. Ask about labor coverage before you sign.
It can simplify warranties, because one company is responsible for the roof and the mounts, so there is no argument about who fixes a leak. Manufacturer warranties still apply to the equipment itself. See our roofing and solar guide for what a US Power bundle includes.
California licenses them separately: roofing under a C-39 license and solar installation under a C-46 license. One company can hold both, or work with a licensed partner. Verify any contractor’s license on the CSLB website before signing.