Solar Orphans: Your Installer Is Gone — What Happens to Your Warranty, and What to Do Next
You call the number on your solar contract and it is disconnected. The website is gone. The company that sold you a 25-year asset has disappeared after three years. You are not alone, and you are not without options.
Australians call these systems "orphaned" or "solar orphans": systems whose original installer or retailer is no longer operating, leaving the owner unsure who to call when something stops working. One installer guide puts the number of solar companies that have gone bankrupt or stopped trading in Australia since 2011 at more than 700, which, if each installed even a few hundred systems a year, means hundreds of thousands of orphaned systems. The exact number is uncertain, but the pattern is not: solar companies open and close far faster than solar panels wear out.
The good news is that your warranties did not necessarily disappear with your installer. The bad news is that claiming them without the installer takes a different path, and taking the wrong first step can make things worse. This blog sets out that path, step by step.
1. First, work out what kind of problem you actually have
Not every orphan problem is a warranty problem. Before you call anyone, work out which of these you are dealing with, because each one goes to a different party:
A component has failed: An inverter shows a fault code, panels have stopped producing, or monitoring shows a string down. This is usually a manufacturer warranty matter.
The installation itself is faulty: Roof leaks, unsafe wiring, panels coming loose, or work that does not meet standards. This is a workmanship matter, and it is harder, because the business that did the work is gone.
You paid a deposit and got nothing, or only part of a system: This is a consumer protection matter, and it goes to your state or territory fair trading agency.
Nothing is wrong yet, but you want to know where you stand: You want your documents in order, your warranties confirmed, and a plan for the day something does fail. This is the cheapest problem to solve, and the one most people skip.
Write down the symptoms before you call anyone. Fault codes, dates, monitoring screenshots, and photos of anything that looks damaged. A clear, dated record is the single most useful thing you can bring to a manufacturer, a new installer, or a fair trading complaint.
2. Your manufacturer warranty usually survives your installer
Panels, inverters and batteries carry manufacturer warranties that are separate from your installer's warranty. Solar Analytics, a monitoring provider that deals with orphaned customers regularly, explains that whether or not your reseller is still operating, your panels, inverter and monitoring equipment remain covered by their manufacturer warranties. For solar panels this can be up to 25 years, and for inverters and monitoring devices it is generally 5 to 10 years, depending on the manufacturer.
There is one important exception. If your failed reseller was itself the importer of the equipment, there may be no Australian entity left to honour the manufacturer warranty. That is worth checking early, because it changes your options completely.
Your installer's workmanship warranty is a different story. If the business that installed the system has closed, its workmanship warranty is usually gone with it. That does not leave you without remedies: state and territory consumer protection agencies, and Australian Consumer Law, may still offer a path, particularly where the problem is a major failure or a safety issue. But it does mean that a workmanship problem will not be fixed by a phone call to the manufacturer, and you should not expect the manufacturer to accept responsibility for someone else's installation work.
3. The exact steps, in order
Step 1: Gather your documents. Find your original contract, the system design, the certificate of electrical safety or compliance, the panel and inverter warranty documents, and any commissioning records. Note the panel and inverter brands and models, the serial numbers, the installation date, and the name of the business that sold and installed the system. If you cannot find the documents, check your email for the installer's handover pack, and check the inverter and switchboard for labels and serial numbers.
Step 2: Check whether the business is really gone. Search the company's name on ASIC Connect, and check the ASIC Register of Insolvencies. The business may have moved, changed numbers, or been bought by another company that inherited its obligations. A quick search can save you a long detour. If it is still an active business, keep trying its current contact details, including social media, before moving on.
Step 3: Contact the manufacturer directly, through its warranty process. Do not start with a general electrician. Energy Matters, writing on warranty protection in 2026, warns that unauthorised repairs or inspections can void a warranty, because most brands require the first assessment to come through their approved process. Contact the manufacturer's warranty department, explain that your installer is no longer operating, and ask what procedure they require. Many brands will send their own technician or nominate an accredited partner.
Step 4: Use your monitoring data. If your system has monitoring, its history shows when the problem started, whether it developed gradually or suddenly, and how much production you have lost. That evidence supports your claim and helps the manufacturer diagnose the fault without relying on the original installer's records. Keep screenshots and export the data if you can.
Step 5: If the manufacturer and installer disagree, get it in writing. Fronius, writing on solar warranties in Australia in September 2026, notes a common trap: the installer says the equipment is faulty and the manufacturer says the installation caused the issue. If that happens to you, ask each party to put its assessment in writing, and keep fault codes, monitoring records, photographs, reports, inspection dates and correspondence together. A disputed cause is much harder to resolve without a written record.
Step 6: If the manufacturer is unresponsive, or the problem is workmanship or a lost deposit, go to your state or territory consumer agency. SolarQuotes lists the agencies that deal with orphaned customers: Queensland Office of Fair Trading on 13 74 68, New South Wales Fair Trading on 13 32 20, Victoria Consumer Affairs on 1300 558 181, Western Australia Consumer Protection on 1300 304 054, South Australia Consumer and Business Services on 131 882, ACT Fair Trading on 13 22 81, Tasmania Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading on 1300 654 499, and Northern Territory Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319. Be aware that if a manufacturer is based solely overseas, Australian agencies may have limited ability to assist, although many panel manufacturers have Australian offices.
Problem | Who to Contact First | What to Have Ready |
Inverter or panel fault | Panel or inverter manufacturer, via its warranty process | Brand, model, serial numbers, fault codes, monitoring history |
Monitoring fault | Monitoring provider, directly | Account details, device serial number, fault history |
Unsafe or faulty installation | Licensed electrician for safety, then fair trading agency | Photos, safety certificate, original contract, inspection report |
Lost deposit or partial install | State or territory fair trading agency | Contract, payment records, correspondence, photos of work done |
Manufacturer and installer disagree | Both parties, in writing, then fair trading advice | Written assessments from each party, monitoring data, photos |
Nothing wrong yet | Your own document file, plus an independent review if you want certainty | All warranties, certificates, serial numbers and monitoring access |
4. What not to do
Do not let just anyone open the inverter or rewire the system. Unauthorised work can void the manufacturer warranty you are trying to claim. Go through the manufacturer's process first.
Do not accept a verbal diagnosis as final. If a party says the fault is someone else's responsibility, ask for that assessment in writing, with reasons.
Do not throw away documents. The installer's handover pack, warranty certificates and commissioning records are the evidence that proves what was installed, when, and by whom. Without them, even a legitimate claim becomes difficult.
Do not assume the system is worthless. An orphaned system with a valid manufacturer warranty and a sound installation is still a valuable asset. The problem is usually documentation and access, not the hardware.
5. Buying a house with an orphaned system? Check before you settle
An orphaned system is a common pre-purchase surprise. The seller's installer is gone, the warranties are in a drawer somewhere, and nobody can say whether the system is safe, compliant or even working properly. Before you settle, ask for the panel and inverter warranties, the certificate of electrical safety, the monitoring login, and the production history. If the seller cannot provide them, that is a negotiating point, not a reason to walk away automatically, but it is a reason to get an independent inspection.
An independent technical review can answer the questions the seller cannot. It can verify what equipment is on the roof, whether the installation meets the relevant standards, whether the warranties are still valid, and what it would cost to bring the system up to a maintainable condition. For a home buyer, that is the difference between inheriting an asset and inheriting a liability.
6. When an independent review is worth paying for
You have a disputed claim: The manufacturer and another party disagree about the cause, and you need an independent technical assessment in writing.
You are worried about safety: The installation looks damaged, non-compliant or unsafe, and you need to know before you use the system or sell the house.
You are buying a property: The existing system is orphaned, undocumented, or both, and you need to know what you are inheriting.
You want a plan, not a panic: Your system works today, but you want your warranties confirmed, your documents in order, and a maintenance plan that does not depend on a company that may not exist next year.
How This Works for Both Sides: Companies and Professionals vs. Everyday Australians
Decision | For Companies and Professionals (Installers, Agents, Conveyancers) | For Everyday Australians and Families |
Manufacturer-first claim path | A documented, warranty-safe process that protects the next contractor from voiding a claim | Your warranty stays valid, and your claim is handled by the party that actually made the product |
Written assessments | A clear record that resolves installer-versus-manufacturer disputes without litigation | You are not caught in the middle of two companies blaming each other |
Pre-purchase inspection | A property transaction that does not stall over an undocumented solar system | You know whether you are buying an asset or a liability |
Fixed-Fee EServices4U Solution |
Frequently Asked Questions
My installer is gone. Is my solar warranty automatically void?
No. Manufacturer warranties for panels and inverters are separate from your installer's warranty and usually survive the installer's closure, although there are exceptions, such as where the failed reseller was itself the importer. Your installer's workmanship warranty is usually lost, but consumer protection avenues may still apply.
Should I call a local electrician first?
For a safety emergency, yes, call a licensed electrician immediately. For a warranty claim, contact the manufacturer through its warranty process first, because unauthorised repairs or inspections can void the warranty. The manufacturer will usually nominate an accredited technician or partner.
What if I cannot find any of my documents?
Start with the equipment itself: panel and inverter brands, models and serial numbers, usually on labels on the inverter and in the switchboard. Check your email for the handover pack, and check whether your monitoring account is still active. An independent review can help reconstruct what is on your roof and what warranties apply.
What if the manufacturer is overseas and will not respond?
Contact your state or territory fair trading agency for advice. Australian agencies may have limited leverage over a manufacturer with no Australian presence, but many manufacturers do have Australian offices, and a documented complaint is still worth making.
Can EServices4U help with an orphaned system?
Yes. A Home Owner's Engineer review from $599 can verify the as-built system, check standards compliance, assess warranties and documentation, and give you a written, independent position you can use with a manufacturer, an insurer or a buyer. Start with the free 15-minute consultation below to find out which fixed-fee review fits.
Get an Independent Position on Your Orphaned System
Start with a free 15-minute consultation to talk through your tender, system, building, or project and find out which fixed-fee review fits, if any. Call/WhatsApp 0480 001 498 or email growthpartner@eservices4u.com.au. No obligation, and it does not include a written report.
Home Owner's Engineer from $599: Complete technical representation for homeowners, including contractor design audits, AS/NZS compliance verification, SLD review and commissioning oversight.
Solar & Battery Feasibility from $299: Load profiling, roof layout modelling, degradation simulation and battery analysis for your site.
Residential Solar Quote Review from $149: Forensic comparison of up to three solar or battery quotes, line by line, useful when you are replacing or extending an orphaned system.
Commercial Infrastructure Assessment / RPEQ & RPEV SLD Sign-Off from $495: For commercial and strata systems with documentation gaps.
Contact EServices4U: Call/WhatsApp 0480 001 498 or
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