NSW Australian Consumer Law - Warranty for Solar Panels?

[Cindy1875]

We purchased a solar power system with a 2kw inverter (made in China) 5 years ago with 25 years warranty for the solar panels' performance and 5 years warranty for the inverter. Just two months over the 5 years period, the inverter broke (few days ago) and we want to replace it with another brand new inverter of European manufacture which the original supplier doesn't stock.

The questions are:
- We still have 20 years warranty for the solar panels from the original supplier, if we buy an inverter and have it installed from another company; will the panels warranty still be effective?
- A representative from another company told us that we would have to go back to the original supplier in order to have the panels warranty otherwise, the warranty would be void; is it correct under Australian Consumer Law?

Thanks in advance for your answer!

 

[Sophea]

The warranties provided under the Australian Consumer Law do not necessarily have a specific time period they simply require that goods be of acceptable quality and are fit for purpose etc. They also require that retailers and manufacturers comply with any additional stated warranty - such as a 25 year warranty, however these will be on the terms set out by the manufacturer. Therefore read your warranty card to see if it says anything on the issue and if not call the company. The Australian Consumer Law will hold them to the 25 year warranty but if the company has said - only as long as you are using one of their inverters then that is all they can enforce.

 

[Cindy1875]

The warranties provided under the Australian Consumer Law do not necessarily have a specific time period they simply require that goods be of acceptable quality and are fit for purpose etc. They also require that retailers and manufacturers comply with any additional stated warranty - such as a 25 year warranty, however these will be on the terms set out by the manufacturer. Therefore read your warranty card to see if it says anything on the issue and if not call the company. The Australian Consumer Law will hold them to the 25 year warranty but if the company has said - only as long as you are using one of their inverters then that is all they can enforce.

Hi Sophea,

Thanks a lot for your answer! I have read the company (modern solar) warranty. There are two different warranties: One for the solar panels and one for the inverter. There is not any clause saying, "only as long as you are using one of (the company) inverters" in the inverter warranty. But in the solar panel Warranty Restrictions and Exclusions, it said "Conditions arising from misuse, negligence, abuse or any human's intention or fault"".
The company tried to sell a larger power inverter (made in China again), which we don't need, to us with double price!! so we plan to buy an European made inverter from another company and hire an accredited technician from Clean Energy Council to replace the broken inverter. In that case, if something happens to the solar panel system because of itself (not the inverter), then will the above exclusion clause apply?

Many thanks again for your next answer!