Questions California homeowners ask us
Short answers to the things that come up on almost every call. If yours is not here, ring us and ask — the phone triage is free and we would rather you understood the problem before spending money on it.
My solar installer went out of business. Do I still have to pay the loan?
Yes. Solar loans are held by a separate lender, and that agreement survives the installer's bankruptcy. Stopping payment damages your credit and may trigger enforcement against a lien on your property. If you believe the seller failed to deliver what was promised, speak to a consumer attorney about your options rather than defaulting.
Are my solar panels still under warranty if the company that installed them is gone?
Your panel and inverter warranties come from the manufacturers and are generally unaffected. What you lose is the installer's workmanship warranty, which covered labor, racking, and roof penetrations. Manufacturer warranties cover the part but almost never the labor to install it, so you will still pay a contractor to do the work.
How do I know whether my solar system is actually broken?
Compare recent utility bills to the same months a year earlier. If billed usage is roughly flat, the array is producing and you likely have a monitoring problem rather than an equipment failure. If usage has jumped back toward pre-solar levels, production has stopped. You can also check the inverter display on a sunny day for a current output reading.
How much does it cost to replace a solar inverter in California?
Roughly $1,500 to $3,500 installed for a residential string inverter that is out of warranty. If the unit is still covered by the manufacturer, you typically pay labor and claim handling only, commonly $500 to $1,200. Microinverters and optimizers run about $200 to $500 per unit installed.
Will another solar company work on a system it did not install?
Some will and some will not. Companies that have built a deliberate service business take on other installers' systems routinely; companies focused on new sales often decline. Ask directly whether they service orphaned systems and whether they will file the manufacturer warranty claim for you.
My system was installed but never turned on. What do I do?
Some companies collapsed mid-project, leaving systems that were never inspected or granted permission to operate by the utility. Resolving it means tracing where the permit and interconnection application stalled, correcting any incomplete work, and getting the system through inspection and PTO. A contractor who handles this regularly will know the process.
Can I replace my own solar inverter?
No. A solar array produces dangerous DC voltage whenever sunlight hits it and cannot be switched off at the panel. Inverter replacement requires a licensed electrician and, in most California jurisdictions, a permit and inspection. Reading the display and checking the breaker is the limit of safe homeowner troubleshooting.
Do I need to remove my solar panels to replace my roof?
Yes. Roofing crews cannot work around an array and are not licensed to disconnect it. A solar contractor detaches the panels, the roof is replaced, then the array is reinstalled with new flashing. Budget roughly $2,000 to $6,000 for both visits and get it quoted before committing to the roofing job.
How long does a solar inverter last?
String inverters typically run ten to fifteen years, and sustained inland heat tends to shorten that. Microinverters generally last longer and often carry warranties up to 25 years. Expect at least one inverter replacement over the life of a system.
I lease my solar panels. Who pays for repairs?
Not you, in most cases. Under a lease or power purchase agreement, a third party owns the equipment and carries the maintenance obligation. When the original provider fails, the agreement is usually sold to another servicer. Trace where your monthly payment is going to identify who currently holds it, then put the repair request to them in writing.