You invested in solar expecting your system to produce clean energy for years to come. But what happens when your solar installer went out of business and you need help with your system?
First, don’t panic.
If your solar installer went out of business, your solar system doesn’t suddenly stop working. But losing your original installer can leave you with some important questions: Who do you call if something breaks? Who can inspect your system? What happens to your equipment warranties? And who can help make sure everything continues operating as it should?
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to navigate those questions alone.
New England Clean Energy provides solar service and support for homeowners with systems installed by other companies. Whether your solar installer went out of business recently or you’ve been without an original service provider for years, there are steps you can take to protect your investment.
What Happens If Your Solar Installer Went Out of Business?
When your solar installer went out of business, the biggest immediate change is that you may lose the company that previously served as your main point of contact.
Your solar panels, inverter, battery, and other equipment are still installed on your property, and a closed installer doesn’t automatically mean there is something wrong with your system.
The challenge often comes later.
Maybe your monitoring app reports an error. An inverter stops producing. You notice a damaged panel. You need roof work that requires panels to be temporarily removed. Or perhaps everything appears to be working, but you simply want someone knowledgeable to inspect the system.
Without your original installer, you’ll need to find another qualified solar service provider willing and able to work on an existing system.
Can Another Solar Company Help If Your Solar Installer Went Out of Business?
Yes, depending on the company and the equipment involved.
Not every solar installer services systems installed by other contractors, so it’s important to ask before scheduling an appointment.
New England Clean Energy works with homeowners whose solar installer went out of business and who now need support for an existing solar or energy storage system.
Working on an existing system starts with understanding what’s already there. Your system may include equipment from several manufacturers, along with monitoring equipment, electrical components, racking, and, in some cases, battery storage.
That’s one reason having an experienced service team evaluate the system can be valuable.
What Happens to Your Solar Warranties?
This is understandably one of the biggest concerns if your solar installer went out of business.
Solar systems can have several different types of warranties, and they aren’t necessarily all provided by the company that installed your system.
For example, equipment such as solar panels, inverters, and batteries may have manufacturer warranties. Your original installer may also have provided separate workmanship or installation warranties.
If your installer goes out of business, determining what coverage remains may require reviewing your original contract and warranty documents and identifying the manufacturers of your equipment.
Keep any paperwork associated with your original installation. Contracts, equipment specifications, warranty information, system plans, permits, and previous service records can all be useful when another solar professional begins working with your system.
It’s also important to understand what a new service provider is—and isn’t—taking responsibility for. For example, New England Clean Energy’s Annual Inspection & Maintenance Plan does not include manufacturer warranty administration as part of the annual inspection.
What Should You Have Ready When You Call a New Solar Service Company?
Don’t worry if you don’t have every document from your original installation. But if they’re available, gathering some basic information can make it easier for a new service provider to understand your system.
Helpful information can include:
- The name of your original solar installer
- The approximate installation date
- Solar panel manufacturer and model
- Inverter or microinverter manufacturer
- Battery manufacturer and model, if applicable
- Your original contract and system design
- Warranty documentation
- Access to your monitoring platform, if available
- Previous service or repair records
- A description or photo of any current error messages
If you aren’t sure what equipment you have, that’s okay. An inspection can help establish a clearer picture of the system currently installed on your property.
What If Your Solar System Is Working Fine?
If your solar installer went out of business, you don’t have to wait for something to go wrong before finding a company that can support your system.
In fact, this can be a good opportunity to establish a relationship with another experienced solar service provider before you have an urgent problem.
New England Clean Energy’s Residential Solar & Energy Storage Annual Inspection & Maintenance Agreement is designed around preventive maintenance and visual inspections to help homeowners protect their solar investment and identify potential issues early.
An annual solar inspection includes checking:
- Solar panels for damage, debris, and performance concerns
- Racking, roof attachments, and accessible roof penetrations
- Electrical equipment, wiring, disconnects, and inverters
- Monitoring system connectivity and operational status
- Safety labels and shutdown equipment
- Selected components with thermal imaging when appropriate
The visit can also include minor maintenance that can safely be performed at the time of inspection. Afterward, homeowners receive a written summary of the findings and recommended next steps.
For homes with energy storage, an optional battery inspection can evaluate battery cabinets and mounting equipment, accessible wiring and disconnects, ventilation and clearances, battery status indicators, active fault messages, monitoring connections, and basic backup system operation when appropriate and safe.
An Inspection Isn’t the Same as a Repair Plan
It’s important to know exactly what you’re signing up for when choosing ongoing solar service.
New England Clean Energy’s annual plan focuses on preventive maintenance and visual inspections. Repairs and replacement parts aren’t included in the annual inspection, nor are services such as panel cleaning, vegetation removal, pest remediation, roof work, engineering services, monitoring account recovery, firmware updates, manufacturer warranty administration, equipment upgrades or redesigns, or emergency and corrective repairs unless separately authorized. These services may be provided separately at standard rates.
That distinction is especially important if your solar installer went out of business. A new solar service provider isn’t automatically assuming every responsibility or warranty obligation of the company that originally installed your system.
Instead, you’re gaining a knowledgeable resource who can evaluate your existing system, help identify concerns, and recommend appropriate next steps.
Your Solar Installer Went Out of Business. Your Solar Investment Didn’t.
Solar is a long-term investment. If your solar installer went out of business, you may have lost your original point of contact—but that doesn’t mean you should be left without somewhere to turn.
Whether you’re dealing with a current problem, looking for someone to inspect an orphaned solar system, or simply want a plan for maintaining your system going forward, New England Clean Energy can help.
Our experienced service team works with existing solar and energy storage systems to help homeowners understand what’s happening with their equipment and what steps may be needed to keep it operating safely and reliably.
Need help because your solar installer went out of business?
Contact New England Clean Energy at 877-886-8867 or fill out this form to talk with our team about your system and available service options.
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