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What To Do If Your Solar Company Goes Out of Business
- Planet Solar
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
Investing in solar energy for your home is one of the smartest moves you can make both financially and environmentally. What happens when the company that installed your system is no longer around? This is an unfortunate reality for thousands of solar customers in California. This is an increasingly common reality as solar companies close, merge, or shift focus, leaving customers “orphaned” with no support. If this has happened to you, don’t panic, you still have options to protect and maintain your system.
We’ll walk you through how to stay on top of your system's performance, what to do when something breaks, and how to find the right service provider to keep things running smoothly — even if they weren't the ones who installed your system.
Keep a Record of Your System Details
When your installer is no longer in business, having complete and organized information about your system becomes essential. The first thing you should do — especially if you’re “orphaned” by your installer — is gather and store all available documentation about your system. This includes:
The manufacturer, model, and serial numbers of your solar panels, inverter(s), and battery
System installation date and any permits
Monitoring login credentials for your solar and battery platforms
All warranty documentation from the manufacturer (not the installer)
Your original contract and installation proposal (if available)
This information makes it much easier for a new service provider to step in, diagnose any issues, and handle warranty claims. If you’re missing any of this, a reputable solar service provider may be able to help you recover most of it.
Stay Engaged with Your Monitoring System
Most solar systems include a monitoring portal tied to your inverter or energy management system. If you have a battery — such as a Tesla Powerwall, Enphase Encharge, or LG Chem RESU — it will also come with a monitoring platform that tracks charge/discharge cycles, battery health, and how much backup capacity you have.
If your original company is no longer around, you still likely have access to these platforms. Monitoring them regularly can help you: If you haven’t already, log in and familiarize yourself with:
Daily and monthly production levels
Identify underperformance, error codes, or communication issues
Spot battery degradation or connectivity losses
Catch problems early before they affect your energy use or backup power
Being proactive can help you catch issues early before they turn into major problems. If you’re not sure how to log in, look up your equipment manufacturer’s support site or contact a solar service provider who specializes in working with orphaned systems.
What To Do If Something Breaks: Panels, Inverters & Batteries
When any component of your system goes down — whether it’s a panel, inverter, or battery — it can seriously impact your energy savings, power availability, or grid independence.
Inverter Failure
Your inverter is the “brain” of your solar system. If it fails, your system likely stops producing altogether. While many inverters carry warranties of 10–12 years, manufacturer warranties only cover the hardware — not the labor to diagnose, uninstall, or reinstall them. If your installer is out of business, you’ll need to find a certified provider who can do this work without voiding the warranty.
Panel Malfunction
Individual panel failures are less common but still possible. Without panel-level monitoring, you may not even notice unless your energy bills creep up. While most panels have a 25-year warranty, they’re only covered for replacement, not the labor to remove and reinstall.
Battery Issues
Batteries add another layer of complexity. They include software, communications systems, and often need to be registered and commissioned by an authorized installer to maintain warranty coverage. If your battery stops charging, is not responding, or stops providing backup power, diagnosing the issue typically requires a certified technician.
Worse still, most battery manufacturers — including Tesla, Enphase, and LG — require that any warranty claim or system update be handled by an authorized service provider. If you try to do it yourself or hire an uncertified electrician, you may void your warranty altogether.
Solar panels are generally durable and can last 20+ years, but they’re not immune to failure. Inverters, on the other hand, are more likely to need replacement at some point, often within 10 to 12 years. If your system stops producing power, your inverter is usually the culprit.
Navigating Warranties Without Your Installer
Even if your product is still under manufacturer warranty, the process of claiming it can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially without an installer to coordinate on your behalf. Here’s what you need to know:
Manufacturers only ship you the part — they don’t install it.
You’re responsible for finding a certified installer to diagnose and confirm the issue.
If the equipment isn’t properly installed or commissioned by an authorized installer, you could void your warranty entirely
Some manufacturers will not speak directly with homeowners and require a certified partner company to initiate claims.
This is why working with a company that specializes in servicing “orphan” systems is so important. They know how to interface with manufacturers, process claims correctly, and perform installations that preserve your warranty. They also have the right tools, software access, and training to work on batteries and smart inverter systems — something a general electrician normally does not offer.
Why Finding the Right Solar Service Partner Matters
When looking for a new solar service provider, it’s important to ask:
Do you work on systems installed by other companies?
Are you authorized to service and install major inverter and battery brands?
Can you help with warranty claims and handle all communication?
Do you offer full diagnostic services and monitoring help?
Are your technicians trained on solar and battery systems?
Do you offer diagnostic services, maintenance, and system upgrades?
A reputable service provider will have relationships with top equipment manufacturers and be authorized to perform warranty-related installations. They’ll save you the hassle of going back and forth with manufacturers, chasing down parts, and trying to find someone to install them correctly. In short — they’ll handle the entire process for you.
They’ll also ensure the work is done to code and with proper documentation so that nothing gets missed and you remain compliant with any future home sale requirements or utility regulations.
Look for companies that have been in business for many years, with strong reviews and a focus on long-term support — not just new installs. A trustworthy provider will be able to step in where your old installer left off and take full responsibility for keeping your system running.
Final Thoughts
Being left without support after your solar company goes out of business can feel overwhelming, but it's important to remember that your system is still a valuable asset. By staying informed, keeping good records, and regularly monitoring performance, you can ensure your solar investment continues to serve you well for years to come.
If issues arise, working with a reputable service provider who understands the complexities of warranty claims and is certified to work with your specific equipment is essential. Taking these proactive steps will help protect your investment, avoid unnecessary downtime, and ensure that your system continues delivering clean, cost-saving energy for years to come.
Planet Solar: Trusted Support for Orphaned Solar Customers
If your solar company has disappeared and you’re left wondering who to call, Planet Solar is here to help. With offices in both Fresno and Palm Desert, we proudly offer service and maintenance for “orphan” solar customers throughout Central and Southern California. Whether your inverter has failed, your production is down, or you’re just not sure where to start, our expert technicians are trained to step in, troubleshoot, and take over care of your system — even if we didn’t install it.
We’ve been in business since 2007, and unlike fly-by-night installers, we’re built to last. Planet Solar has long-standing partnerships with major manufacturers, meaning we can process warranty claims on your behalf and are certified to perform installation and repairs that keep your warranty intact. We handle the logistics, the paperwork, and the dirty work — so you don’t have to.
Solar power should give you peace of mind — and with Planet Solar, it still can.
You can call or email us to come out and look at your system.
Fresno Office: 559-288-9245
Palm Desert Office: 760-341-1413
What To Do If Your Solar Company Goes Out of Business
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