What Is Solar Insure? The 30-Year Solar Warranty, Explained
Learn how Solar Insure SI-30 covers eligible solar equipment repairs, labor and service continuity, plus enrollment, exclusions and warranty transfers.
In this article
Short answer: Solar Insure SI-30 is a 30-year limited warranty for eligible solar equipment defects, with covered parts, labor and shipping and a $0 deductible. It can extend protection where a manufacturer warranty leaves a service gap. Coverage depends on the equipment, enrollment and claim terms, and can transfer with the system at its original address.
The name confuses people, so let us clear that up first. Solar Insure is not an insurance company and this is not an insurance policy. The company describes itself as "a fintech company that provides limited warranty products backed by a global insurance provider." Coverage for manufacturer or installer default is backed by Zurich North America, an A.M. Best A+ rated carrier, which Solar Power World confirmed when the program launched.
Solar Insure was founded in 2006 and is based in Costa Mesa, California (Solar Insure). pv magazine USA reports it operates nationwide.
The gap it fills
A solar system usually comes with two warranties, and there is a space between them.
Your manufacturer warranty sets the remedy for a covered equipment defect. Some warranties include eligible replacement labor; others cover the component but leave some service costs to the owner. For example, REC ProTrust includes labor coverage under its program conditions. Check the terms for the equipment and installer in your proposal.
Your installer's workmanship warranty covers specified installation work for the term in your agreement. It sits alongside the equipment warranty, with its own service process and exclusions.
Solar Insure adds a defined repair and service-continuity layer. Its SI-30 terms cover eligible component repairs or replacement, including specified labor and shipping, subject to the warranty conditions.
What the SI-30 warranty covers
The product page sets out the core terms:
- Thirty years on covered system equipment
- Parts and labor, including shipping and the service call when a defect is confirmed
- $0 deductible, $0 subscription, $0 onboarding fees
- Manufacturer and installer default coverage, backed by an A.M. Best A+ rated carrier
- Roof resealing and reflashing at the array's mounting points
- Monitoring through the Daybreak platform, which consolidates data across inverter manufacturers for early fault detection
Coverage requires eligible equipment on the Approved Vendor List, timely enrollment through a certified provider, and the connectivity and monitoring required by the warranty. Confirm the exact models and coverage at installation.
There are separate versions for batteries (SI-30 Battery), for both together (SI-30 Total), and for commercial systems up to 2 MW. All the terms documents are published at solarinsure.com/warranties.
What sits outside it
A warranty covers defects. A few things belong to other coverage, and knowing which is which saves a phone call later.
Weather, fire, theft and impact damage fall outside this equipment-defect warranty. Your homeowners policy may cover specified perils; confirm its coverage and deductible with your insurer. Installation workmanship has separate terms in your installer agreement. Panel removal for roof work is a separate service. SI-30 does not guarantee a particular production number.
Review these documents together so you know which provider handles each type of claim.
| Covers | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer warranty | Covered equipment defects; labor depends on the warranty |
| Installer workmanship | Installation quality, flashing, wiring, mounting |
| Homeowners insurance | Specified perils, subject to the policy and deductible |
| Solar Insure SI-30 | Panel and inverter defects plus labor, shipping and the service call, for 30 years |
How service continuity works
Solar Insure provides a service route for covered claims if the original installer is no longer operating. Contact Solar Insure so it can arrange an eligible certified provider under the warranty terms. This additional point of contact helps owners plan for long-term support alongside their equipment and workmanship coverage.
How claims work
Start with your installer or the contact listed on your warranty certificate.
Your provider checks the issue, obtains the required authorization and handles eligible repairs through Solar Insure’s claim process. Covered claims have a $0 deductible. A diagnostic visit that finds no covered defect may not be covered, so confirm authorization and any charges before work begins.
If the original installer is no longer operating, contact Solar Insure for the next steps and an eligible service provider.
Does it transfer when I sell my house?
Yes, at no cost. Solar Insure states the coverage "is transferable with no transfer fees."
The coverage follows the property, so it stays with the system at that address through a sale. For battery coverage, the new owner notifies Solar Insure within 30 days. A transferable 30-year warranty is a genuine selling point when you list, because it answers the question every buyer asks about a used solar system.
Can I add it to a system I already own?
SI-30 enrollment is tied to installation. The published terms call for the certified installer to enroll the system within 30 days of installation, subject to the warranty conditions.
That channel structure is normal for the category rather than unique to Solar Insure. Third-party solar warranty and performance products are generally sold through partners rather than direct to homeowners, available "through channel partners, such as lenders and installers," as Solar Builder described a comparable product at launch (Solar Builder).
Solar Insure also offers SolarDetect for some existing systems. Ask Solar Insure directly about current availability in your state, eligible equipment, enrollment and coverage before relying on it for an existing system.
When planning a new installation, compare coverage with your equipment and payment options. Existing owners should start with their current warranty documents and service provider.
Who handles repairs if I lease or have a PPA?
The lease or PPA agreement identifies who handles maintenance and covered repairs. Provider-managed service is one reason homeowners choose third-party ownership; review its scope and claim process with your proposal.
If you buy the system out of the agreement, confirm which provider services end, which equipment warranties can transfer, and any steps needed to keep coverage in place.
If you are considering a lease or PPA through Sunwise, ask what the agreement covers for maintenance and repair across its term, and what coverage applies to your specific contract. Your rep can walk through both.
Is it worth it?
It comes down to how you want to handle the next thirty years of service.
Compare the coverage with your existing equipment warranties, the cost of the optional plan and how you want future service handled. Covered labor, the length of protection and continuity of service are useful parts of that comparison. Transferability may also matter if you plan to sell your home.
SI-30 enrollment is tied to installation. Buying out a lease years later does not by itself create a new enrollment window.
If Solar Insure appears in a Sunwise proposal, ask for the current provider terms incorporated into that proposal. Coverage, eligibility, exclusions, claim procedure and duration are controlled by those documents. Our solar warranty page explains how the workmanship, manufacturer and optional third-party documents fit together on a specific system.
Planning a new solar system? Get your solar estimate and discuss the equipment, payment options and coverage available for your home. For an existing-system claim, use the service contact in your current agreement.
Solar Insure FAQ
Is Solar Insure actual insurance?
No. Solar Insure is a limited warranty provider, not an insurance company. Coverage for manufacturer and installer default is backed by Zurich North America, an A.M. Best A+ rated carrier.
What does Solar Insure cover that my manufacturer warranty does not?
It can cover eligible repair labor and extend the service protection available with your equipment. Manufacturer labor coverage varies, so compare your exact warranty with SI-30’s covered components, term, exclusions and claim process.
How long does Solar Insure coverage last?
Thirty years from the start date for the SI-30 residential warranty, on both panels and inverters. Battery and commercial versions have their own terms.
Does Solar Insure transfer if I sell my home?
Yes, at no cost. The coverage follows the property address, so it stays with the system through a sale. Battery owners notify Solar Insure within 30 days of the transfer.
Can I buy Solar Insure for a system I already own?
SI-30 enrollment is tied to installation. The published terms call for the certified installer to enroll the system within 30 days of installation, subject to the warranty conditions.
What happens if my solar installer goes out of business?
Contact Solar Insure about an eligible certified provider for a covered claim. Manufacturer and workmanship warranties have separate terms, so keep those documents with your Solar Insure certificate.
Who handles repairs on a leased or PPA system?
Your lease or PPA names the party responsible for maintenance and covered repairs. Follow that agreement’s service process and confirm which services continue if ownership changes.
How do I file a Solar Insure claim?
Contact your installer or Solar Insure using your warranty certificate. The provider checks eligibility and required authorization before the repair. Covered claims have a $0 deductible; visits or work outside coverage may carry charges.
Does Solar Insure cover storm or hail damage?
SI-30 covers eligible equipment defects rather than storm or hail damage. Ask your homeowners insurer what protection and deductible apply to those events.
References
- Solar Insure, SI-30 Solar Monitoring and Warranty
- Solar Insure, SI-30 Solar terms and conditions (PDF)
- Solar Insure, Warranty documents index
- Solar Insure, Approved Vendor List
- Solar Insure, Homeowner FAQ
- Solar Insure, Provider FAQ
- Solar Insure, What it is and what it is not
- Solar Power World, Solar Insure unveils insurance-backed warranty coverage
- pv magazine USA, Solar Insure launches commercial warranty, expands vendor list
- Progressive, Does home insurance cover solar panels?
- pv magazine USA, How long do residential solar panels last?
- IEA PVPS Task 13, Review of Failures of Photovoltaic Modules
- Solar Builder, Lifetime guarantee for solar system performance