Solar Panel Warranties in Minnesota: What’s Actually Covered

“25-year warranty” is one of those phrases that sounds reassuring without actually telling you much. Every solar installer leads with it. But what does a 25-year warranty actually cover? What are the conditions? What happens if something goes wrong?

These are the questions worth asking before you sign. Here’s a clear breakdown of how solar warranties work, what Centauri Systems offers, and what you should expect in Minnesota.

There Are Three Separate Warranties on Every System

Most homeowners hear “25-year warranty” and assume it covers everything. In reality, a residential solar installation has three distinct types of warranty coverage, and they each cover different things.

1. Product Warranty (Equipment Warranty)
This covers manufacturing defects. If a panel fails because of a defect in materials or workmanship at the factory — not because of physical damage from an external event — the product warranty covers replacement.

Standard panel product warranties run 10-12 years from most manufacturers. Centauri Systems’ current panel lineup includes options with long product coverage:

REC Pure RX panels carry a 25-year manufacturer warranty, and we offer a 30-year Solar Insure warranty on every install. SEG Solar Yukon N Series panels carry a 30-year product warranty.

This is the warranty that matters most for defect protection. A longer product warranty means the manufacturer is standing behind the panel’s integrity for longer.

2. Performance Warranty (Power Output Guarantee)
This is the promise that the panel will still produce a minimum percentage of its rated power output after a given number of years. Panels degrade slightly over time — the best panels degrade less than 0.5% per year.

A typical performance warranty guarantees 90% of rated output at year 10 and 80% at year 25. Premium panel lines like the REC Pure RX guarantee higher minimum outputs at longer intervals.

Performance warranties matter because they protect you against panels that degrade faster than expected — a real risk with lower-quality panel manufacturers. If a panel falls below the guaranteed output, it qualifies for replacement or compensation under the warranty.

3. Workmanship Warranty (Installer Warranty)
This covers the installation itself — wiring, mounting hardware, roof penetrations, and all of the work the installation crew performed. It does NOT come from the panel manufacturer. It comes from your installer.

Workmanship warranties vary significantly between installers. Some offer 1-2 years. Better installers offer 10 years or more. This is one of the clearest differentiators between installer quality and one of the most important things to ask about before signing.

Centauri Systems provides a 25-year workmanship warranty on all solar installations. This covers roof penetrations, mounting systems, wiring, and the physical installation work — not just the equipment itself.

What Warranties Don’t Cover

The gaps in coverage are as important as the coverage itself.

Physical damage from external causes. Hail, fallen trees, ice dams, fires, and other external events are typically covered by your homeowner’s insurance, not the panel warranty. Minnesota’s hail risk is real — talk to your insurance agent before installation to confirm solar panels are covered under your policy and whether your coverage limits are adequate for the system cost.

Inverter failures outside the inverter warranty. Inverters are the component that converts DC power from the panels to usable AC electricity. They have their own warranty — typically 10-12 years for string inverters, 25 years for Enphase microinverters. Inverter failure is the most common equipment issue on residential solar systems. Know what inverter your system uses and what its warranty period is.

Damage from improper maintenance or modification. If you or another contractor modifies the system or causes damage during maintenance, warranty coverage for those components may be voided.

Battery storage, if applicable. Batteries have their own product and performance warranties, separate from solar panels. Enphase and Franklin WH both offer 10-year warranties on battery storage units. These are separate from the panel warranties.

The Solar Insure Program

Centauri Systems offers Solar Insure coverage on eligible installations. Solar Insure offers product warranties on Tier 1 panels for 30 years.

This is worth understanding because manufacturer warranty claims are only as reliable as the manufacturer’s continued business operations. Solar manufacturers have come and gone over the past two decades. The Solar Insure warranty program provides a backup layer if the original manufacturer is no longer operating when a claim arises.

Ask about Solar Insure coverage when reviewing your Centauri proposal.

Minnesota-Specific Considerations

Hail. The Twin Cities metro averages several hail events per year. Panel glass is designed to resist hail impacts; most panels are rated to withstand 1″ hail at 50 mph impact speed. But extreme hail events exceed those ratings. Homeowner’s insurance, not panel warranties, is your protection for hail damage. Confirm your coverage before installation.

Ice and snow load. Panels are tested to significant snow load ratings. Minnesota snowfall is well within those tolerances under normal conditions.

Freeze-thaw cycling. Minnesota’s dramatic temperature swings are within the operating range of properly installed solar equipment. The mounting hardware and roof penetration sealing used by quality installers are designed for this climate.

Roof condition before installation. Centauri Systems assesses roof condition before every installation. If your roof needs replacement or significant repair, it should happen before panels go on. Installing panels on a deteriorating roof creates complications down the line, if the roof needs replacement with panels already installed, a solar removal and reinstall service is required. Centauri offers this service, but it’s a cost worth avoiding through proper pre-installation assessment.

Questions to Ask Any Solar Installer About Warranties

Before signing a solar contract with any installer, ask these questions:

What is the product warranty on the specific panels being installed? Is it the standard period or extended?

What is the performance warranty, and what minimum output does it guarantee at year 10 and year 25?

What is the workmanship warranty period? This should be at least 10 years.

What inverter is being used, and what is its warranty period?

Is there a third-party warranty or insurance program (like Solar Insure) included or available?

What is the process for filing a warranty claim? Who is my point of contact if something goes wrong in year 8?

The answers to these questions tell you a lot about the quality and confidence of the installer. A company that can answer all of them clearly, in writing, is one that stands behind its work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a 25-year solar panel warranty mean the panels will produce full power for 25 years?
No. Performance warranties typically guarantee a minimum output percentage at certain intervals — not 100% of rated output throughout the warranty period. Standard guarantees might be 90% at year 10 and 80% at year 25. Premium panel lines guarantee higher minimums.

What happens to my solar warranty if I sell my house?
Product and performance warranties typically transfer to a new owner. Workmanship warranties may or may not transfer — check the terms with your installer. Centauri’s workmanship warranty follows the installation, not the original customer.

Does hail damage void my solar panel warranty?
Hail damage from extreme events is typically not covered by product warranties. It should be filed under your homeowner’s insurance as a covered peril.

What if my solar panel manufacturer goes out of business?
This is a real risk with manufacturers that have short track records. Third-party warranty programs like Solar Insure provide backup coverage if the manufacturer is no longer operating. This is one reason Centauri prioritizes panel brands with established manufacturing histories.

How do I file a warranty claim with Centauri Systems?
Contact Centauri Systems directly at [email protected] or (763) 248-2734. As the installer, Centauri coordinates both workmanship warranty service and manufacturer warranty claims on behalf of their customers.

The warranty conversation is one of the most important parts of choosing a solar installer. Talk to Centauri Systems — they’ll walk you through exactly what’s covered, in writing, before you commit to anything.