Buying safely
What solar warranties should I get in South Africa?
Ask for three separate warranties in writing: the product warranty from each manufacturer (panels, inverter, battery), the panels’ performance warranty, and the installer’s workmanship warranty. Most importantly, confirm who in South Africa honours each one. A long warranty from a company with no local presence is worth far less than a shorter one you can actually claim.
Updated 26 October 2026 · Tariffs quoted are the 2026/27 municipal year (from 1 July 2026) unless stated.
The warranties, and what to check
| Part | What to ask for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Panels | Product warranty and a separate power-output warranty | Brand with no SA distributor of record |
| Inverter | Product warranty, and whether it extends on registration | Warranty that requires the installer to have done online registration |
| Battery | Years and cycles or energy throughput, and the end-of-life capacity it guarantees | Worldwide warranty documents that exclude South Africa, and voids for missing BMS communication |
| Installation | Workmanship warranty from the installer, plus the electrical Certificate of Compliance | No CoC, or a company too new to have a track record |
Battery warranty examples from manufacturer documents
- Solar MD SS4160: Solar MD’s South African warranty statement (revision 10 October 2025) guarantees at least 60% of nominal capacity for 12 years or 84 MWh of throughput, whichever comes first (7 000-cycle rating), plus a 5-year defects warranty. Claims run through the installer or distributor who sold it, and CPA consumer rights apply on top. Summary, not legal advice.
- Freedom Won eTower 2: 5 years or 4 000 cycles on the current spec sheet. The ENVA range carries 5 years or 6 000 cycles.
- Sunsynk wall batteries: a 5-year manufacturer warranty per a distributor’s SA warranty document, even where some retailers advertise longer. Ask for the manufacturer’s letter.
- BlueNova RacPower: 10-year product warranty, registered through an accredited installer.
The warranty that matters most is the one that gets honoured
Batteries from local manufacturers that have outlived their warranty in the field are a good sign the paperwork will rarely be needed. Either way, keep your invoice, serial numbers, CoC and the installer’s commissioning report together, and register products in your own name where the brand allows.
Related: battery cycles and warranty explained · what a solar CoC is · check a quote
Quick questions
How long should a solar battery warranty be?
Many lithium batteries sold in South Africa carry between 5 and 12 years, often with a cycle or energy-throughput limit. Compare the conditions, not only the headline years.
Who do I claim from if my installer closes?
From the manufacturer’s South African distributor or warranty holder. Ask for their name before you buy.
Does a missing CoC affect my warranty?
It can affect insurance and municipal approval, and some manufacturers ask for it in a claim. Always get one.
Sources
- Solar MD resources
- Solar MD worldwide standalone warranty (excludes SA)
- Freedom Won eTower 2
- TSN Kunye: Sunsynk 10.65 kWh battery
- BlueNova SBB single box battery