On this page
The answer
Checked October 20, 2026: when a solar installer goes out of business, the panel and inverter makers’ product warranties generally still apply, but you need another solar company to do the work, and many warranties do not pay for labor.[1] Leased and PPA systems go back to whoever you pay now. Owners hire a manufacturer-certified solar company.
If you still owe on a solar loan, lease or PPA, see if a solar contract exit company can look at your situation. No cost to submit. We do not repair systems or send technicians.
This guide is for owners of so-called orphaned systems: solar setups left without the company that installed them.[1] It covers how to tell whether something is actually wrong, who is responsible for the fix, how to find a company that can work on your equipment without voiding the warranty, and what repairs typically cost. For what a bankruptcy does to your payments, liens and contract, see solar company went bankrupt.
Step 1: Is your system really broken?
Not every drop in production is a fault. Solar output falls in cloudy winter months and rises in spring and summer, and EnergySage says most production dips are normal seasonal changes.[1] Check three things before you pay anyone:
- Your monitoring app. Most systems include monitoring that shows real-time production and often sends alerts when output is below normal.[1] Compare this month with the same month last year, not with last month.
- The inverter. EnergySage reports that inverters, not panels, are the usual culprit when a system underperforms; panels themselves rarely fail once installed.[1] A string inverter is usually on a wall at ground level with a status light; microinverters sit under each panel on the roof.[1]
- The connection, if you had SunPower. SunStrong, which took over the mySunPower app (now SunStrong Connect), says free cellular connectivity for monitoring is no longer available. Systems can reconnect by WiFi, Ethernet or power-line communication.[2] A system that looks dead in the app may simply be offline.
Do not open or work on the equipment yourself. Solar systems carry high-voltage electricity, and EnergySage warns that tampering with the equipment can be dangerous and may void your warranty.[1]
Step 2: Who is responsible for the repair now?
It depends on who owns the system, not on who installed it.
| How you got the system | Who owns it | Who to contact first |
|---|---|---|
| Paid cash | You | The panel and inverter manufacturers for warranty parts, then a certified solar company for labor[1] |
| Solar loan | You | Same as cash: the loan and the repair are separate matters, so keep paying the loan while you arrange the fix. See who services my solar loan |
| Lease or PPA | The leasing company or its successor | Whoever you pay each month. SunStrong, for example, now manages former SunPower, Sunnova and some PosiGen accounts and says it provides service for those systems[3][2]. It also says it does not maintain systems financed with a loan or owned outright[4] |
If you are not sure who manages a leased system, SunStrong suggests checking your original contract for the originator and looking at your last bill before the transfer; it also lists the billing portal and monitoring app for each originator it took over (SunPower, Sunnova, PosiGen and GoodLeap).[5] Our SunStrong Management guide has the contact details.
Step 3: Find out who made your equipment
The installer’s name is on your contract, but the warranty you can still use belongs to the companies that made the parts. Find the brands and serial numbers in your contract packet, on the inverter label or in the monitoring app. Then check each maker’s position:
- SunPower panels made by Maxeon: Maxeon said in August 2024 that it would support warranty coverage on SunPower-branded Maxeon panels, working through an installer. That support covers the panels only, not microinverters, racking or batteries.[6][7]
- LG panels: LG left the solar panel business in 2022 and said it would honor the limited warranty on each product sold.[8]
- Enphase and SolarEdge inverters: both have long product warranties, but labor is the catch (next section).[9][10]
Brand by brand, with claim steps: who honors your solar warranty after the installer goes bankrupt.
Step 4: Hire a replacement solar company
EnergySage says more companies now sell operations and maintenance packages for orphaned systems, and the most important check is whether the company is certified by your equipment manufacturer, because work by an uncertified company can void the warranty. It suggests starting with the manufacturer, which can often recommend authorized local companies.[1]
Before you hire, in our assessment, ask:
- Are you certified by the maker of my inverter and panels? Will you file the warranty claim for me?
- What is your service-call or diagnostic fee, and is it credited to the repair?
- Will you put the warranty on your own repair work in writing?
- Are your installers NABCEP certified? You can confirm a person’s certification, and its expiration date, in the NABCEP Professional Directory.[11]
- Are you licensed and insured for electrical and roof work in my state?
Enphase owners have a manufacturer option: Enphase Care, a homeowner plan that Enphase says starts at $399 a year and includes $0 on-site labor for covered repairs. If the system already needs an on-site visit when you enroll, Enphase lists a one-time $399 truck roll fee.[12]
We do not repair systems or recommend repair companies. SolarPanelExit.com is an editorial site. We are not paid by any repair or maintenance company named on this page.
What solar repairs cost without an installer
HomeAdvisor puts most solar panel repairs at $238 to $1,490, about $864 on average (updated June 2026).[13] If your warranty does not cover labor, EnergySage says to expect a couple of hundred dollars for a service visit.[1] Inverter replacement is the large cost: Angi lists $800 to $5,000 (April 2026).[14]
Full breakdown by repair type: solar panel repair cost.
Roof leaks, re-roofing and removal
If water is coming in around the mounts, see solar panels damaging your roof for documenting the damage and who may be responsible. If you need a new roof, the panels have to come off and go back on: see solar panel removal and reinstall for a new roof for the steps, and solar panel removal cost for prices.
Still paying for a system nobody services?
A broken system and a monthly payment is the hardest combination. A loan generally still has to be paid even when the installer is gone, and a lease or PPA moves to a successor company. Check your installer on our solar company bankruptcy list, and read how to get out of a solar loan for the options that exist.
We do not advise homeowners to stop making payments or breach contractual obligations. SunStrong, for example, tells transferred customers to keep paying as usual.[2]
Frequently asked questions
My solar company went out of business. Who fixes my panels?
If you own the system, hire another solar company that is certified by your panel and inverter makers; the manufacturers can often recommend one. If you lease or have a PPA, contact the company you pay each month, since it owns the system.
Does my solar warranty still apply if the installer went bankrupt?
The manufacturer's product warranty generally does, because the maker backs it. The installer's own workmanship warranty depends on the installer. Labor is often not covered by the product warranty, so you may pay a new company for the work.
Who repairs leased solar panels if the solar company went bankrupt?
The company that now holds or services your lease or PPA. SunStrong Management, for example, took over former SunPower, Sunnova and some PosiGen accounts and says it provides service for those systems. SunStrong says it does not maintain systems financed with a loan or owned outright.
How much does solar panel repair cost?
HomeAdvisor puts most repairs at $238 to $1,490, about $864 on average (June 2026). Inverter replacement is the large item: Angi lists $800 to $5,000 (April 2026).
What is an orphaned solar system?
A solar system whose installer has gone out of business, leaving no one under contract to maintain it. Some solar companies now sell operations and maintenance packages for orphaned systems.
Can any solar company repair my panels?
Check first. EnergySage says work by a company that is not certified by your equipment manufacturer can void the warranty. Ask the manufacturer for authorized local companies and confirm certifications before work starts.
Why did my SunPower monitoring stop working?
SunStrong, which now runs the former mySunPower app as SunStrong Connect, says free cellular connectivity for monitoring is no longer available. It lists WiFi, Ethernet and power-line communication as the ways to reconnect the system.
Does SolarPanelExit.com repair solar panels?
No. We are an editorial site and do not repair, remove or install equipment. Our form matches homeowners who still owe on a solar loan, lease or PPA with solar contract exit companies that pay us for inquiries.
If you still owe on a solar loan, lease or PPA, see if a solar contract exit company can help. No cost to submit. We do not repair systems.
Sources
Checked October 20, 2026. Prices are published estimates from the sources below, not quotes. Warranty terms change, so confirm on the linked source and your own documents before you act.
- Consumer guideEnergySage, When solar panel repair is needed, and when it's not (updated Aug 28, 2025)
- CompanySunStrong Management, Help Center (transition, payments, SunStrong Connect app, cellular monitoring)
- CompanySunStrong Management, Company page (SunPower, Sunnova and PosiGen portfolios)
- CompanySunStrong Management, Customer service inquiry form (maintenance scope notice)
- CompanySunStrong Management, Your account (billing portals and monitoring apps by originator)
- Trade presspv magazine USA, Maxeon to offer warranty support for bankrupt SunPower (Aug 30, 2024)
- Trade pressSolar Power World, Maxeon will offer warranty support to SunPower systems after installer's bankruptcy (Aug 29, 2024)
- Company press releaseLG Electronics USA, LG to exit global solar panel business (Feb 22, 2022)
- ManufacturerEnphase, Labor Protection Program (labor reimbursement extension for IQ Microinverters)
- Manufacturer warrantySolarEdge Technologies, Limited Product Warranty (revised August 2025; copy hosted by SolarQuotes)
- Manufacturer supportSolarEdge, I Have a Warranty Question (US support page, checked Oct 20, 2026)
- Certification bodyNABCEP Professional Directory (look up certified solar professionals)
- ManufacturerEnphase, Enphase Care (homeowner service plan and FAQ)
- Cost guideHomeAdvisor, How much does solar panel repair cost? (updated Jun 19, 2026)
- Cost guideAngi, How much does a solar inverter cost? (updated Apr 6, 2026)
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal, financial or technical advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results vary by individual situation. We do not advise homeowners to stop making payments or breach contractual obligations. Consult a qualified attorney licensed in your state before acting on your solar contract or loan, and a qualified, licensed solar professional before any work on your system. SolarPanelExit.com does not repair, remove or install solar equipment. We may earn compensation when you contact companies through our site. This does not change our ratings. Form submissions may be shared with our authorized partners, solar contract exit companies that pay us for inquiries. See our Ownership Disclosure, Advertiser Disclosure and Methodology.