2.2 The fine print manufacturers don't talk about

Parts only, no labor: a microinverter or optimizer might cost $300 to replace, but the technician spending two hours on your roof costs $300–500. A 25-year warranty with a "parts only" clause is effectively no warranty at all.
Customer must self-register within 6 months: a lot of premium brand "25-year warranties" require the homeowner to register online. Most salespeople never mention it. The first time you find out the registration was required is when you file a claim and it gets denied.
Must use the manufacturer's approved installer: if the original installer goes bankrupt and you bring in someone else, the manufacturer's warranty often vanishes automatically.
Hidden exclusions: rock impact, storms, California wildfires, grid anomalies, "improper cleaning"… when a real claim hits, it almost always gets routed into one of these exclusion buckets.

2.1 Three warranty layers, none optional

2.3 The warranty that actually defines your 20-year experience: Workmanship

Next Step

Questions after reading this section? Send us your utility bill — we will come back within one business day with a recommendation specific to your situation.