Your solar installer's phone is disconnected. The website is gone. The service portal won't load. If this sounds familiar, you're one of hundreds of thousands of American homeowners — the industry calls them "solar orphans" — whose installer went out of business. Since 2024, more than 100 solar companies have closed, including giants like Titan Solar Power, SunPower, and Sunnova.
Here's the good news: your solar system still works, your equipment warranties are probably still valid, and qualified professionals can absolutely service it. Here's exactly what to do.
Step 1: Don't panic — your system doesn't know its installer is gone
Solar panels are remarkably durable, with expected lifespans of 25–30 years. Your system will keep producing power regardless of what happened to the company that installed it. Nothing about a business closure affects the physical equipment on your roof.
Step 2: Gather your documentation
Find everything you have from the original installation:
- Your contract and proof of purchase
- Equipment lists (panel brand/model, inverter brand/model)
- Permits and inspection records
- Warranty documents
- Monitoring app login credentials
If you can't find equipment details, photos of the panel labels and the inverter nameplate will do. This documentation is what a new service provider — and equipment manufacturers — will ask for.
Step 3: Understand which warranties survive
This is where most solar orphans get bad information. There are typically three warranties on a solar installation:
- Panel manufacturer warranty (usually 25 years): Still valid. This comes from the panel maker (Qcells, REC, Silfab, etc.), not your installer.
- Inverter manufacturer warranty (usually 10–25 years): Still valid, from the manufacturer (Enphase, SolarEdge, etc.).
- Installer workmanship warranty: This one typically dies with the company. It covered labor and installation defects like roof leaks at mount points.
Manufacturer warranties attach to the equipment, not the installer. If a panel or inverter fails, you can file a claim directly with the manufacturer.
For details, see our guide to understanding your solar warranty after your installer closes.
Step 4: Check on your loan, lease, or PPA
If you financed your system, your loan is with a lender — not the installer — so payments continue as normal. If you have a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), those contracts are usually sold to another servicer during bankruptcy proceedings. Watch your mail for official transfer notices, and be wary of anyone who calls claiming you must "re-sign" anything.
Step 5: Get a system audit from an independent pro
Before anything breaks, have a qualified independent technician perform a full system audit. They'll document your system's current condition, verify it was installed correctly, set up monitoring you control, and give you a written baseline. If your original installer cut corners, you want to know now — not during a failure three years from now.
Step 6: Line up a new service partner
Any qualified solar technician can service your system, regardless of who installed it. Look for:
- NABCEP certification (the industry gold standard)
- Active state contractor licensing and insurance
- Experience with your specific equipment brands
- Verified reviews from other orphaned-system customers
Step 7: Consider ongoing maintenance
Your installer's service plan died with them, but independent pros offer maintenance plan takeovers. An annual inspection and cleaning typically costs far less than the production losses it prevents. See our 2026 maintenance checklist for what should be covered.
The bottom line
An installer going out of business is a headache, not a catastrophe. Your equipment warranties survive, your system keeps producing, and vetted independent professionals are ready to step in. Find one near you and turn your orphaned system into a well-cared-for one.