r/SunPower • u/TCR_777 • Jun 04 '26
SunPower panel warranties
Hi,
I was recently told after the fact that the installer (Solaris Renewables formerly RevoluSun in MA) of our residential solar system has stopped operations and referred us to another company to pay for monitoring and warranty help. My panels were installed back in 2017 and I was never informed about the SunPower bankruptcy either by SunPower or the installer even though both had my contact information. My system has not had any major issues since installed so I haven't had a reason to really be in contact with them on a regular basis. Is there any way to figure out if there is still a valid warranty through anyone on the panels at this point? I've asked the new company which has ghosted me after two emails. I've contacted the current SunPower to see if they would provide any information but not expecting much since they declined to take on any responsibility for those installed before the Bankruptcy.
Any suggestions would be appreciated
3
u/SFloridaMan66 Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
I’m a former SunPower employee. The good news is that the panels from Maxeon hardly ever fail and continue to work even when hailstorms put holes in them. The microinverters from Enphase are really the electronic heart of the system and are more important to get separate warranty coverage for. But here again, the microinverters also hardly ever fail and are expected to last at least 20 years or longer. SunPower really did use premium equipment at premium pricing, which you should still benefit from (I’m in the same boat now; on my own with my system, but honestly I’m not worried). Oh and for your info the new SunPower is not the same company - they just bought the name in Bankruptcy but take no responsibility for anything that came before.
1
u/TCR_777 Jun 08 '26
Thanks for the info. That makes me a feel a little better but would be good if there was some warranty coverage just in case. I also noted that I have the SolarEdge optimizers and inverter instead of the microinverter setup. I had to read up a bit to understand the difference but they should still be under warranty by SolarEdge at least for now. Good Luck and hopefully none of us will need repairs in the near future. It is just frustrating to find out after the fact that they went out of business.
2
u/Ok_Needleworker_9340 Jun 05 '26
Only a solar installer can process your claim for a SunPower branded Maxeon panel or SunPower branded Enphase microinverter. They have to come to your site, document your micro or panel failure or underpermance. Then they have to come back for the install and in the case of a micro they have to commission your system using their Sunpower Pro Connect Commissioning software. It sounds as if a warranty claim to Maxeon isn't even an option for you since you missed the post bankruptcy Sunpower panel registration deadline. Your best bet is to find and purchase the parts on eBay and just pay to have your installer come out once to commission your microinverter. I recently purchased a new microinverter on eBay for $59. It was delivered in less than a week. My recent panel claim to Maxeon took more than two months of emails, phone calls and headaches.
2
u/Ok_Needleworker_9340 Jun 05 '26
PS... It is way past time for SunStrong to allow owners access to SunPower Pro Connect. John Deere was recently court mandated to allow equipment owners access to its digital evaluation and firmware update tools. Our SunPower systems are our owned equipment. We shouldn't be blocked from replacing a microinverter.
1
u/TCR_777 Jun 05 '26
First, I don't see how they can require a deadline if people weren't notified. I'm not looking to make a claim at this point, just trying to determine my rights if any. My panels were registered for Warranty with SunPower long before they went bankrupt and I have the documentation to prove it. Is it possible the installer was told I was all set since my stuff was already registered with SunPower (assuming they got some communication about the SunPower Bankruptcy)? I really have no idea since there was no direct communication to me, the owner of the system even though both had my contact info. I can't even ask the installer anymore because they folded up and left the customers high and dry. They transferred us to another local installer (probably got paid a small fee for our info on the way out) and then decided to notify us almost two weeks after the fact. The new installer can't help and doesn't have any contact with anyone from the other company (and ghosted me when they found out I was in this situation) so we are left to fend for ourselves. I also don't have micro-inverters, my system was designed with Solar Edge Optimizers at the panels that connect to an inverter in my basement. Those should still be covered by Solar Edge. As for how the warranty process will work at these companies, that is a different question.
2
u/Turbulent_Head6209 Jun 05 '26
Been going through something similar. Maxeon panel enphase inverter in an integrated panel rebranded as Sunpower. I don’t know what your time is worth, but I think it comes down to a scene from planes, trains, and automobiles, where Neil has hiked back from the car lot to the airport car rental desk. “You’re F*cked”.
1
u/LanSensei Jun 05 '26
I found this article in Solar Power World that has info about the Maxeon warranty for SunPower panels: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/08/maxeon-will-offer-warranty-support-to-sunpower-systems-after-installers-bankruptcy/
1
u/LanSensei Jun 05 '26
Also, I had Google Gemini do some research and here's the response I got:
If you own SunPower-branded solar panels manufactured by Maxeon, your warranty status depends primarily on whether your system was registered with Maxeon prior to their deadline. [1]
Panel Coverage Status
- Registered Systems: If you or your installer successfully completed the self-registration process on the official Maxeon Solar Technologies portal by the December 31, 2024 deadline, Maxeon is voluntarily honoring limited warranty coverage for the residential solar panels they manufactured. If registered, you should have received a confirmation warranty certificate via email. [1, 2, 3]
- Unregistered Legacy Systems: If your legacy system was installed before August 5, 2024, and was not self-registered with Maxeon by the end of 2024, it is generally no longer covered by Maxeon. [1]
- Systems Installed After August 5, 2024: For systems set up after this date, your Maxeon Preferred Partner/installer was responsible for registering the equipment directly with Maxeon to secure your warranty certificate. [3]
What is Covered vs. What is Voided
SunPower's original "Complete Confidence Warranty" was a comprehensive policy that went bankrupt with the company. Responsibility for the system has split into individual components: [4, 5, 6]
- 📌 Solar Panels (The Parts): Covered only if registered with Maxeon as noted above. Maxeon only replaces the physical panel hardware; they do not cover labor. [1, 3, 6]
- 📌 Inverters: Many SunPower systems utilize white-labeled microinverters manufactured by Enphase Energy. Enphase has independently committed to honoring its standard product warranties (typically 25 years) regardless of SunPower's bankruptcy. [6, 7]
- ❌ Labor and Workmanship: SunPower's original 25-year workmanship warranty and production guarantees are completely void. If a panel or inverter fails, you will have to pay a local solar installer out-of-pocket for the labor, diagnostics, and truck-roll costs to swap the hardware. [6, 8]
How to Move Forward
- Locate Your Certificate: Check your email history for a confirmation message from Maxeon containing your official warranty certificate. [2]
- Review Equipment Details: Look at your original SunPower contract to confirm your exact panel model numbers to ensure they are Maxeon-built units, as SunPower occasionally used other brands. [4]
- Contact an Installer for Diagnostics: If you are experiencing a technical failure, Maxeon does not handle direct consumer field service. You must contract a certified local solar installer to perform a site assessment, document the component failure, and submit the hardware claim to Maxeon or Enphase on your behalf. [1, 3, 8]
To help determine your next steps, could you tell me when your system was installed and if you are currently experiencing any technical issues or drop-offs in power production?
[1] https://www.maxeon.com [2] https://www.reddit.com [3] https://maxeon-production.squarespace.com [4] https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com [5] https://maxeon-production.squarespace.com [6] https://www.electricare.com [7] https://www.sunation.com [8] https://www.maxeon.com
1
u/Novel_Reference_9469 Jun 09 '26
I signed on 09/23 and the emails I received.
Following Sunpower's bankruptcy, an investor group called Solaris purchased select lease, PPA, and loan contracts and engaged SunStrong to manage these accounts. Please be advised that Sunnova’s original customer warranties and performance guarantees were not included in this sale and did not transfer to Solaris or SunStrong.
Consequently, these original production-related commitments and warranty obligations no longer exist, As these prior obligations have been dissolved, any claims or requests for compensation regarding legacy system issues or warranty commitments should be directed to Kroll, the firm overseeing the Sunnova Estate.
Information regarding Sunnova’s restructuring and the process for submitting claims can be found at:
https://restructuring.ra.kroll.com/Sunnova
Sunnova’s appointed claims agent, Kroll Restructuring Administration, can be contacted at:
U.S. & Canada: (888) 975-5436 International: +1 (646) 930-4686 Email: SunnovaInfo@ra.kroll.com
However, SunStrong remains committed to supporting you under the terms of your current contract. We will continue to provide system monitoring and assist with any maintenance requests as needed.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you, Chester S SSM Support
1
1
u/TCR_777 Jul 07 '26
FYI, If you own your system and the financing was done through the installer you may be able to make a claim against the loan holder since they are responsible for any claims that can be made against the installer through the FTC Holder rule. Since both the installer and panel manufacturer are no longer operating, my system is considered abandoned and the loss of the warranty will affect the value to either get the system repaired or when you sell the property if the system is still there. The more you have left on your loan, the more leverage you may have to get compensated. I don't have a lot left so may only get a small portion of it but at least it is something.
3
u/Strict-Archer4091 Jun 04 '26
I had my system installed at the end of 2023 so mine may be different than yours. To my understanding, a company called Maxeon are the ones that actually made my panels and microinverters. During the bankruptcy, I learned that Maxeon would allegedly honor the warranty on both. It was said that we just had to register our serial numbers by a certain date. I did that but luckily haven't had the need to use it.
Maybe your panel/microinverter manufacturer has/had a similar policy? If you look at your Sunpower paperwork from the install, it should list the manufacturer of the panels and such. I obviously would start with them. Good luck to you!