Understanding Your Solar Battery’s Warranty

Everything You Need to Know About Your Solar Battery’s Warranty

Warranties can be confusing, but it’s important to understand the ins and outs of your solar battery‘s warranty. While they may seem long and complicated, learning a few key terms can help you navigate the fine print.

In this guide, we break down the main components of a typical battery warranty and define important terms you are likely to encounter. We also explore what is usually covered under warranty and what is not. Investing in a home battery is a significant purchase, so it’s crucial to understand the protection you’re getting.

A Breakdown of Solar Battery Warranties

Solar battery warranties can generally be divided into three main sections: battery lifespan and coverage, shipping and labor coverage, and warranty exclusions. In each section, we outline what these terms mean and what to look for in a warranty.

We have reviewed several solar battery warranties to identify common standards in the industry. Most batteries come with a 10-year warranty and a 70% end-of-warranty capacity guarantee. However, factors like cycle and throughput coverage can vary depending on the battery’s energy storage capacity.

Years Covered

Battery warranties typically last for a set number of years, which is usually around 10. Some warranties may offer longer coverage of 12 or 15 years. However, it’s crucial to be aware of any cycle or throughput clauses that can limit your warranty. These clauses restrict how often you can cycle your battery without voiding your warranty.

By understanding your warranty’s cycle count, which is usually around 6,000 cycles, you can assess how your battery usage might affect your warranty. Some warranties have no cycle limit, while others may have a throughput clause as well.

Throughput

Your battery’s throughput is the amount of energy it is expected to supply over its lifetime, typically measured in megawatt-hours (MWh). If your battery delivers its expected throughput before the warranty term ends, the warranty will expire.

Expected throughput can vary depending on the manufacturer, making it challenging to provide an average estimate. However, we have seen batteries with an expected throughput range between 30 and 50 MWh. Modulhttps or modular batteries may have a specified throughput per cell or module.

End-of-Warranty Capacity Guarantee

Over time, your battery’s capacity will deteriorate. The end-of-warranty capacity guarantee assures that your battery will retain a certain percentage of its original capacity by the end of the warranty period. Most manufacturers offer a guarantee of around 70%, meaning that if you purchased a 10 kWh battery, it should be able to store at least 7 kWh of energy after the warranty expires.

Shipping and Labor Costs

While battery warranties cover replacements and repairs, they often do not cover shipping costs or labor associated with replacing or repairing the battery. Additionally, diagnostics fees typically come out of the customer’s pocket. However, some installer warranties may cover the workmanship of the installation.

General Warranty Exclusions

“Warranty exclusions” refer to the scenarios or reasons for damage that a manufacturer may consider outside the scope of warranty coverage. While each manufacturer’s list of exclusions will vary, common exclusions include damage caused by factors outside the manufacturer’s control (e.g., natural disasters), unauthorized modifications or tampering with the battery, and failure to register the product.

Comparing Popular Solar Battery Warranties

To provide a comparison of different solar battery warranties, we have compiled a list of popular batteries and their key specifications, including usable capacity, years covered, cycles, throughput, and end-of-warranty capacity guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does a solar battery last? Solar batteries typically last at least 10 years, but this can vary depending on factors such as expected throughput and cycle life.
• How many years are solar batteries covered under warranty for? Most solar batteries come with a 10-year warranty, but the warranty term can be influenced by cycle and throughput clauses.
• Do solar batteries come with a warranty? Yes, the majority of solar batteries come with limited warranties. Be cautious of batteries that do not offer a warranty.

Understanding your solar battery’s warranty is essential to ensure you get the most out of your investment. By familiarizing yourself with the key components of a warranty, you will be better equipped to assess which battery offers the best protection for your needs.

Source: Everything You Need to Know About Your Solar Battery’s Warranty – CNET