The Tesla solar panels, Solar Roof tiles, and Powerwall systems are some of the most exciting solar energy innovations on the market today, coming to consumers from a trusted, well-known brand. Its system is also backed by a strong warranty that will help protect your investment in both the long- and the short-term, giving you peace of mind.
Currently, there is a 25-year panel performance warranty with Tesla Solar Panels or Solar Roof tiles, and a 10-year comprehensive warranty on your Powerwall, Solar Inverter, and Roof Mounting Area, that includes roof leaks. Tesla’s solar warranties are some of the best in the market.
When you invest in the Tesla solar system, you are almost able to live entirely off the grid, lessening your carbon footprint by using sustainable, green energy. The company makes it worth your while by providing a top-notch warranty that will help you to know that your purchase is protected against many common issues for up to 25 years.
Tesla Solar Panel Warranty
When you purchase solar panels from Tesla, you are also receiving a 25-year warranty for your panels. The company guarantees at least 80 percent of its power capacity for a minimum of 25 years. If there are any issues, a Tesla-certified tech will come out and perform any service at no cost to you, as long as the issue is covered under warranty. The most common issues are all covered.
The Tesla Solar Panel system warranty applies to several different elements, including:
- Solar Panels, which are installed on your roof to capture the raw solar energy. This will be converted using a solar inverter, which carries a separate warranty.
- The Solar Roof, which is an alternative to solar panels, integrates solar cell technology into traditional-looking shingles. It performs identically to solar panels without the traditional solar panel look.
- Workmanship, which covers your panel’s installation against damage, including waterproofing, mounting and more.
Each carries different coverage, and you will need to submit a claim to get service on your Tesla solar power system. Once Tesla processes your claim, the company will send a certified repair technician to address the problem. Keep in mind that a slight degradation in performance over the years is completely normal and will be accounted for in your warranty.
Additionally, your contract may state that Tesla will compensate you for under-energy production on a 24-month rolling basis. The rate may be about half of what you pay for your utilities, and those rates were set at the time you signed your contract. Be sure to read the fine print before submitting a claim or inquiring about your panel’s performance.
Tesla Solar Panels
The Tesla solar panel system is what drives your energy production. These are installed on your roof and will convert the sunlight into power. This is one element of the Tesla solar power ecosystem, and if your panels are not working properly, your entire solar power system will be down. It is incredibly important that the panels optimally perform.
Your Tesla solar panels come with a manufacturer’s warranty of at least 12 years. It covers the workmanship and minimum power capacity of your panels. For workmanship, it covers the installation and any defects with that or the panel itself. It also guarantees a minimum power capacity of at least 80 percent over the course of 25 years.
- If your panel’s performance degrades more than 20 percent, you can submit a claim to get it serviced.
- There is a normal degradation in performance over time, but it should be minimal that you will not notice it year over year.
- If you do, contact Tesla, and they can check it out. Panel performance and other defects are covered under warranty.
Keep in mind that where the solar panels are installed, your roof’s warranty will be voided. It will then be replaced by the Tesla solar warranty, and any defects, including leaking, are covered under the workmanship. Consult your roof’s warranty to ensure they do not have other clauses. Tesla’s warranty only covers the areas the solar panels are installed.
Tesla Solar Roof
The Tesla Solar Roof mimics a traditional roof, and the solar cells are contained in alternating shingles. The roof itself carries a 25-year warranty, where your Solar Roof will be free from defects in design and materials. It also has a 25-year warranty against any weather damage, specifically against the wind, rain, and other water damage.
- There is a module warranty that extends 20 years. This guarantees that your Solar Roof’s power output capacity will be at least 95 percent of the rated peak power.
- This will be outlined on your Tesla Solar Roof’s datasheet five years after your Solar Roof’s installation.
- It is specific to the size of your roof and your home’s energy usage.
This part of the Solar Roof’s warranty applies to the amount of power that your roof produces under standard energy test conditions. If you have any issues with your Solar Roof, parts will be replaced or repaired as needed. The original warranty period applies. The warranty will not be extended based on the installation of your new part or parts.
There are exclusions and limitations to your warranty that will be specific to your home. It does not cover the workmanship (there is a separate warranty for that), the materials and equipment of the installer if not Tesla, or the power level electronics if not produced by Tesla. Instead, these will carry their own warranties, which are at least 10 years.
Tesla Workmanship
Tesla stands behind their products, not just in the production quality of the solar panels, Solar Roof, or solar inverters, but also in the quality of their work. That is why they offer an overall workmanship warranty of 20 years on their solar power system. The installation of your product will be free from product and installation defects for up to 20 years.
You will want to read the fine print of your contract, but there may be subclauses to these that impact the overall warranty. For example, if you have solar panels that were installed directly into your roof, Tesla guarantees these will be watertight for at least 10 years. Tesla calls these roof penetrations, and the warranty protects against leakage.
Additionally, your Tesla roof warranty can be extended if there is an existing installation warranty on your roof or if the new home builder’s performance standard for your current roof is longer than 10 years. You will need to consult your existing roof’s warranty and consult with your Tesla customer service rep for more information.
When you get a Tesla-authorized installation, you should expect the highest quality of work. This workmanship clause guarantees that, and if you have any issues with how your panels look or how they were installed, file a claim against the workmanship. Visual performance is just as important as technical solar panel performance.
Tesla Comprehensive Warranty
The complete Tesla solar power system includes elements like the Powerwall and solar inverter. These are covered under the 10-year comprehensive warranty. This includes any roof mounting or leak issues that you may encounter from the Solar Roof. Tesla will fix any issues covered under warranty free of charge if they meet the requirements.
The comprehensive warranty applies to the following elements, though there may be other pieces covered. Consult your contract for full information on your specific warranty and how it impacts the:
- Powerwall
- Inverter, which converts your solar energy to usable energy
- Roof mounting and leaks
Tesla Solar Warranty does not cover issues caused by acts of God. These kinds of events include, but are not limited to:
- Lightning Strikes
- Floods
- Earthquakes
- Fires
- Extreme Weather
These phenomena will be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy, so when you get your Tesla solar power system installed, be sure to add the entire system to your policy for maximum coverage.
The Tesla comprehensive warranty applies to the full life of your system. Tesla’s solar power system operates as an ecosystem, and if one element is out of sync, the whole system’s performance will suffer. It is important to submit claims timely so that you do not notice a long-term degradation in performance that will cost you more money.
Tesla Powerwall
The Tesla Powerwall is a solar energy battery backup that integrates seamlessly with your Tesla solar power system, including any solar panels or Solar Roof tiles. It carries a 10-year limited warranty, which means that your Powerwall will be free from performance defects during that time, though normal performance degradation can be expected.
There is no limit to the number of times that your battery will be cycled during this time. It applies to all Tesla power walls that have been purchased directly from Tesla or an authorized reseller and have been installed in the United States. If your Powerwall is serviced by any unauthorized personnel, your warranty will be void, so be careful.
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that your Powerwall will face performance degradation over time. This is completely normal, and your Powerwall is guaranteed a minimum capacity of 70 percent over time. That means that you will only lose about 30 percent of energy storage over time, which is much better than its competitors.
- If your degradation is less than 30 percent, it will not be covered under warranty.
- Normal wear and tear, superficial defects that do not impact performance, noise or vibration that does not impact performance, damage, or theft also will not be covered under the standard Tesla Powerwall warranty.
Check the terms for the full list of exclusions.
Tesla Inverter
The Tesla inverter converts the DC power captured from the sun into AC power, which can be used by all your home appliances. The Tesla inverter is an essential part of the solar power ecosystem as it is needed to produce usable energy for your home appliance usage. The inverter is connected directly to the solar panels or the Solar Roof.
The Tesla inverter carries a 12.5-year manufacturer’s warranty, which covers any unit defects, installation issues, and more that can impact the inverter’s performance over time. The inverter, like the panels and the Powerwall, may face normal changes in performance over time, but it will likely be minimal that you do not notice a difference.
The Tesla inverter connects to the internet using Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular data, so it will continually update to the latest technology.
- If there are any issues, these updates will be the first line of defense.
- The inverter will debug itself with software updates.
- If it is not a software issue, the manufacturer’s warranty will cover most other damage.
This does not apply to any damage or defects that are because of external damage to the unit. If you personally damage your Tesla inverter, it may not be covered by the warranty, but you can contact their customer support team and submit a claim to be sure. You never want to get service from someone unauthorized. It will void your warranty.
Roof Mounting and Leaks
As mentioned earlier, Tesla offers a workmanship warranty. This includes protection against any roof mounting or leak issues that stem from the installation of your Tesla solar power system, including solar panels and Solar Roof tiles. The roof mounting is the location that your solar panels have been installed directly onto your home’s roof.
Because they are mounted directly on the roof, it may cause leakage. Your panel installation should be completely watertight, and Tesla guarantees this for at least 10 years. This does, however, extend only to the portion of the roof that has been altered due to the solar panel installation. Other issues are part of your standard roof warranty.
- When you are getting your Tesla solar power system installed, make sure to use a Tesla authorized partner or go directly through them.
- Any service performed by non-authorized personnel will cause your warranty to be voided.
- If your warranty is voided, all issues, even if they are system defects, will be your responsibility to fix, including any leaking issues.
This does not apply to service to your roof that does not include the solar panels. That will not void your warranty. Just be sure that they do not touch the solar panels during their service. At any given point, you will likely have two warranties active on various parts of your roof, and all should be covered under your homeowner’s policy as well.
Are Tesla Solar Panels Worth It?
Tesla is well-known for its electric cars, and they entered the solar energy game less than a decade ago. That does not mean they are inexperienced. They are building on a strong foundation, creating a sustainable ecosystem to help keep you off the grid and give you more control over your energy consumption to lessen your carbon footprint.
There are others on the market, but none carry the prestige of the Tesla name. The Tesla solar panels and Powerwall system skews on the more expensive side. It comes with an app that helps you to understand and control how you are using your home energy and make meaningful behavioral changes for lasting change.
Tesla is a full-service sustainable energy system, but you may still have some questions about how it works and if the system is worth the investment. Overall, if you are looking to invest in a home solar power system that you can use to power all of your home energy needs, Tesla is a great option for you to explore. This is especially true when you consider Tesla’s outstanding warranties.
It is worth looking into and learning more about how Tesla solar power can completely change your life and how you consume and produce energy in meaningful, cost-efficient ways.
How Do the Solar Panels Work?
The Tesla solar panels are installed on your roof, and the number of panels you receive will depend on the size of your roof, your home’s energy consumption, and more. These will capture energy, channeling it to the solar inverter. The inverter will then convert the DC energy to AC energy, which is used to power your home appliances.
If you have a Tesla Powerwall, it will store excess energy for future use when you are no longer generating power. The stored energy comes in handy during a number of situations:
- During the night, when the sun is down
- During a power outage
- During a high consumption period in your home
Any excess energy will get sent to the grid, and you will receive credit for this. If you need more energy, you will access the grid.
When you contact Tesla, you will consult with a customer service professional who will design a solar power system that meets your needs. They will be able to work within your power consumption needs, as well as your budget, to recommend how many panels you need, how many Powerwalls you should get, and more.
Do I Need a Powerwall?
If you are purchasing a new solar panel or Solar Roof, you will need to purchase an additional Powerwall home backup battery. This was recently made a requirement for a new system. However, the number of Powerwalls that you purchase is completely up to you and how much power your home consumes. Your Tesla solar panel system can support up to 10 Powerwalls for energy backup.
- Powerwalls are a convenient way to store excess energy, helping you stay off the grid and control your energy consumption.
- They integrate with the Tesla app, giving your critical insights into your energy usage.
- They also help you make long-term, sustainable changes in your behaviors to reduce your carbon footprint in meaningful ways.
If you have an existing solar power system, you do not need a Powerwall. It is not essential for your Tesla solar power system’s performance. It is simply a convenient home battery backup system that helps to keep you off the traditional energy grid longer because it can be charged with excess solar energy. There is no limit to the cycle charges.
What is the Lifespan of Tesla Solar Panels?
The Tesla solar panel system carries a 25-year warranty. Tesla stands behind their panel’s performance because it is constructed using durable materials that protect the high-quality electrical equipment. The different elements of your Tesla solar panel system may carry different warranties, but overall, this is in line with industry standards.
This warranty can protect against weather, including:
- Wind
- Rain
- Other water damage
Unlike the Powerwall, which can only be installed in a semi-outdoors location due to its limited waterproofing rating, the solar panels are completely weatherproofed. They are designed to perform optimally no matter the weather conditions.
Tesla solar panels do not need to receive routine maintenance. However, you may want to clean your panels, removing any debris that could hinder energy production over time. Debris and dirt can prevent your panels from performing at their optimal levels, and if you notice a difference in performance, start with cleaning your solar panel system.
How Do I Clean My Panels?
Cleaning your panels is not necessary, but it can improve your energy production over time. To clean your tesla solar panels, rinse your panels through with water to remove any dirt or debris. You can do this using a garden hose with gentle pressure or soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. Make sure it is non-abrasive, so you do not scratch your panels.
- You should only clean the panels one-to-two times a year. Cleaning too frequently could potentially damage your Tesla solar power system.
- If you clean your panels correctly, it could improve your Tesla solar power system’s energy production anywhere between 3 to 5 percent, which will make a meaningful difference to your power bill and energy consumption.
If you notice any change in your panels’ performance, you may want to start by cleaning them. This will likely be the first step that any service representative will suggest. If you clean them prior to making that call, it can help jump-start any service that you may need. Just be sure you do not accidentally damage the panels in the process!
How Does the Tesla Warranty Stack Up to Competitors?
Tesla’s warranty overall is pretty similar to competitors’ warranties. Depending on the elements, it ranges from 10 years to 25 years. However, there are pieces that go above and beyond the industry standard, which make it more attractive to seasoned solar energy customers and potential new converts alike.
For example, the Tesla Powerwall has a 10-year warranty, but it also carries a minimum capacity warranty of 70 percent. That means that it is guaranteed to keep 70 percent capacity over 10 years, allowing for only 30 percent degradation. Other similar products only guarantee 60 percent, giving you significantly more energy storage over time.
How Do I Submit a Claim?
To submit a claim against your Tesla solar power system warranty, contact their customer service team. They have trained staff that can help process your claim. Keep in mind that they may try to offer technical support for you over the phone, but if your issue requires in-person support, you will simply schedule a service.
Remember that you must receive service by Tesla authorized personnel lest you accidentally void your warranty. Most issues with any element of your Tesla solar system should be covered under warranty, so there is no need to solicit additional support. Tesla should be your first stop with any issues in your solar power system.
Can I Get Tax Credits for Solar Power?
On top of great warranties, you can also get tax credits for installing and using solar power. This is an awesome incentive that you can get on a federal and state level. Things you can claim on your taxes include the installation fees, solar panels, Solar Roofs, solar inverter, and the Powerwall home battery backup system.
Any claims against your warranty, as long as they are covered, will not be eligible to be claimed on your taxes. If you do receive the service that you pay for, you will need to claim at the end of the calendar year. Your tax professional can help you to claim anything on your taxes, but the incentives are great perks that reward you for sustainable behaviors.
The Final Say
Tesla stands behind its products, offering an extensive warranty to protect your long-term investment. After all, you are investing in Tesla, and these warranties are their way to invest in you. The warranties vary between 10 and 25 years, and it covers all standard defects that would impact performance over the lifespan of your solar power system.
The Tesla solar warranty is very standard for the solar power industry, with some exceptions. If you get the Powerwall, you will have a better minimum guaranteed capacity. If your roof has a better warranty, Tesla will supplement it with an extended warranty. Overall, the warranty will help you feel safe knowing you are protected.
If you are investing in a solar power system, consider investing in Tesla. They are quickly becoming one of the top powerhouse names in sustainability, and their ventures into solar power are just the beginning. They can help you live an overall greener lifestyle, and their warranties will keep you protected for 10 years or more.