Three layers, zero asterisk-fog
Warranty, translated from legalese
A solar system carries three separate warranties from two or three different parties. Salespeople love to blur them into one big reassuring number. Here's what each one actually covers, in plain words.
-
01
10 years
Northbeam workmanship warranty
Everything we did with our hands: racking, wiring, roof mounts, flashing, conduit runs. If our work leaks or fails, we fix it, and any roof damage it caused, at no cost to you.
Plainly: This is the warranty that depends on who you hire. Panels are much the same from job to job; the holes in your roof are not.
-
02
25 years, product and output
Panel manufacturer warranty
Defects in the panel itself, plus an output promise: most makers guarantee a panel still makes about 85% of its original power at year 25 (the spec sheet gives the exact curve).
Plainly: Panels lose a little output every year (about 0.5%). That's normal. The output promise only kicks in if a panel drops faster than the published curve.
-
03
12 to 25 years, by type
Inverter warranty
String inverters usually carry 12 years (you can pay to extend it); microinverters usually carry 25. The inverter is the part most likely to need attention during the system's life.
Plainly: If a string inverter dies in year 14, that's a real cost. We quote the extension up front so it's your choice, not a surprise.
Because someone should say it out loud
What's honestly not covered
Hail bigger than the panel is rated for
Panels are tested against roughly 1-inch hail. Anything worse is a homeowners-insurance claim, and we document your array at install so the claim is easy.
Damage from raking snow off panels
Metal rakes and shovels scratch the glass. Please don't: panels shed snow on their own within a day or two.
Roof leaks in areas we never touched
We photograph every roof mount at install, so there's never an argument about which leak is ours and which isn't.
Work by another contractor
If someone else moves or rewires the array, their work is covered by them, not by us.
How a claim works: call or email, we pull your closeout packet (layout, photos of every penetration, serial numbers), and we handle the manufacturer paperwork if it's a panel or inverter issue. You never get referred to a 1-800 number and wished luck.
No pressure, literally
The warranty that matters most is the installer's
Panels are commodities backed by factories. The holes in your roof are backed by whoever drilled them. Ask every bidder how long they've been around and who fixes a leak in year seven.
Prefer a human? Call (970) 555-0134 during office hours. We never cold-call.