IMPORTANT WARNING: Risk of shortened warranties for SolarEdge inventory

(applies to goods delivered to distributors in 2023 - up to March 2024)

 

There are currently a large number of unsold SolarEdge inverters and optimizers in European warehouses that were delivered to distributors in 2023 and 2024. As we are now into March 2026, the purchase of these components represents an extreme risk for installers and end customers.

 

According to SolarEdge's updated warranty terms, these older stock items must be installed and commissioned no later than the end of March 2026 (respectively. the first telemetry must be sent to SolarEdge's monitoring system - https://www.solaredge.com/de/warranty-update).

 

Why is this a problem?

Standard practice for PV manufacturers is that the warranty starts on the date of installation but no later than X months from the date of manufacture/shipment from manufacturer to distributor (e.g. 4 months for SolarEdge) if the product is sitting in stock. If you purchase a product manufactured and delivered to a SolarEgde distributor in 2023 or early 2024, it is covered by the exemption. However, this exemption expires at the end of March 2026 and you install it (connect it to monitoring) after that date:

 

• The warranty no longer runs. The time the product has been sitting with the distributor will be deducted from your total warranty period. You can check the length of the warranty by entering the serial number here: https://www.solaredge.com/us/solaredge-warranty-check
• Financial trap for installers: If you, as an installer, install a customer's equipment without a full warranty, the project may not meet the conditions ofthe tender or subsidy rules and the customer can claim damages from you (lost profits, subsidy reimbursement, penalties, etc.).).
• Trap for the investor: If you, as an installer, install equipment for a customer that was shipped from SolarEdge to a distributor more than 24 months ago, it is not It is no longer possible to extend the warranty to 20 years ("The warranty extension is available with a one-time payment fee and must be purchased within 24 months of inverter shipment from SolarEdge").

 

How to protect yourself when buying

If you are currently purchasing or enquiring about SolarEdge components, please observe the following rules:

 

1. Ask for the date of manufacture up front: don't be satisfied with claims that the goods are "new" or that the distributor will somehow make the warranty up to you later. Ask the distributor for the S/N of all inverters that will be shipped to you (e.g. SJ3323 - 07E1BEFF6-6C, the number 33 after SJ indicates the week and 23 the year of manufacture).

 

2. Check the serial numbers: once the goods arrive, check the serial numbers and dates of manufacture on the labels before you unpack and install them. Please note - even a serial number with a year of manufacture of 23 may have a valid 12-year warranty (such goods were supplied to SolarEdge e.g. SolarElectric's warranty was issued in 2025, it may start with the letters SJ, but more often starts with the letters SV). Again, this can be verified here: https://www.solaredge.com/us/solaredge-warranty-check

 

3. Ask for a written guarantee: if a distributor offers you sale components from 2023/2024 at an attractive price, insist on a written confirmation (e.g. If the manufacturer guarantees the full length of the warranty from the date of your installation, you should get a written confirmation (e.g. in the purchase contract). Alternatively, ask for a direct statement from the manufacturer - without a clear written statement from the manufacturer, a full 12 year warranty does not exist.

 

4. Beware of suspicious discounts: many European wholesalers are now trying to get rid of these "lager" products in a hurry with massive discount promotions. An extremely low price is a warning sign.

 

In view of the current date, action must be taken immediately and each delivery carefully scrutinised. A shorter and non-extendable warranty on an expensive inverter is often not worth the initial discount.