What happens to my solar system if the installer goes bankrupt?

The crucial difference: statutory warranty vs. manufacturer guarantee

Before we explain what happens in the event of insolvency, we need to understand a crucial distinction — between the statutory warranty and the manufacturer guarantee. Most homeowners confuse these two terms, but they are legally completely different.

Statutory warranty: required by law — no contract needed. Directed against the installer (seller of the system). In Switzerland: 2 years for movable parts, 5 years for permanently installed parts (e.g. roof structure). Covers defects that existed at the time of installation. In the event of installer insolvency: practically worthless — no contact person anymore.

Manufacturer guarantee: voluntary promise by the manufacturer of the individual components — independent of the installer. Solar panels: 10–15 years product guarantee, 25–30 years performance guarantee. Inverter: 5–10 years manufacturer guarantee. Battery storage: usually 10 years. In the event of installer insolvency: remains fully valid.

The conclusion: if your installer goes bankrupt, you lose your statutory warranty claims — but your valuable manufacturer guarantees on panels, inverter and storage remain fully intact.

What specifically happens in the event of installer insolvency?

Scenario 1 — System already fully installed and operational: This is the best scenario. The system is running, everything is complete. What you lose: your statutory warranty claims against the installer for installation defects, any maintenance contracts with the company, and the direct contact person. What remains: all manufacturer guarantees on panels, inverter and storage, the system continues to generate electricity, and the one-time payment (OTP) has already been applied for or paid out. Action: keep all documents carefully — invoices, warranty certificates, technical data sheets, serial numbers of all components.

Scenario 2 — System half-finished: This is the most difficult scenario. The insolvency administrator decides whether the project is continued. In most cases, you need to engage a new installer to take over the project. Advance payments already made are at risk — you become a creditor. Action: register claims with the insolvency administrator immediately, contact a new local installer, and initiate a chargeback if you paid by credit card.

Scenario 3 — Contract signed, construction not yet started: Advance payments are at risk. Act immediately: register a claim with the insolvency administrator, check if a credit card chargeback is possible, and check your household insurance for advance payment coverage.

How long does insolvency proceedings take in Switzerland?

A Swiss bankruptcy proceeding typically takes 1–3 years. During this time, you can register claims with the bankruptcy office and will ultimately receive a dividend — often in the single-digit percentage range. Manufacturer guarantees remain completely unaffected by this process.

Reality check: experience shows that creditors typically only recover 3–10% of their claims at the end of insolvency proceedings. Better to focus your energy on manufacturer guarantees and finding a new local specialist for maintenance and service.

• Register claims with the bankruptcy office immediately
• Clarify manufacturer guarantees directly with the manufacturers
• Find a new local installer for maintenance and repairs
• Carefully secure all documents and guarantee certificates

What happens to the manufacturer guarantees?

This is the truly important question — and the answer is reassuring. Manufacturer guarantees on panels: the performance guarantee (25–30 years) is directed directly against the panel manufacturer — not against the installer. If a panel no longer produces the guaranteed output after 10 years, contact the manufacturer directly. The installer is irrelevant in this case.

Manufacturer guarantees on inverters: same logic — the guarantee exists between you and the manufacturer. Fronius, SMA, Huawei have their own service hotlines and service partners in Switzerland. What you need: serial number of the inverter, proof of purchase/invoice, and the warranty certificate from the manufacturer. With these documents, you can open a warranty claim directly with the manufacturer — without the installer.

Warning with cheap no-name products: with unknown manufacturers without a Swiss office, enforcing the guarantee in the event of a claim becomes very difficult. This is another reason why PVPro.ch only arranges installations with components from established brand manufacturers.

How to recognise an installer in financial difficulty?

There are warning signs you can spot before an insolvency:

• 🔴 Warning sign 1: The installer demands a very high advance payment (more than 30%) long before construction begins
• 🔴 Warning sign 2: Agreed delivery dates are repeatedly postponed without explanation
• 🔴 Warning sign 3: The contact person suddenly becomes difficult to reach — emails go unanswered
• 🔴 Warning sign 4: The company website is no longer accessible
• 🔴 Warning sign 5: Materials are replaced by cheaper alternatives just before installation without consultation
• 🔴 Warning sign 6: Other customers report similar problems in online reviews

How to protect yourself preventively

1. Only engage certified local firms: small, local specialist companies with a long-standing regional presence have a significantly lower insolvency risk than rapidly grown national providers. They know their customers personally and have a reputation to protect.

2. Minimise advance payments: never pay more than 20–30% upfront. Professional installers do not demand excessive advance payments. Staged payments — e.g. 30% on order, 60% on installation, 10% on commissioning — are standard.

3. Everything in writing: insist on a detailed works contract with a precise list of components, warranties, deadlines and payment terms.

4. Document manufacturer guarantees separately: request all warranty certificates directly from the installer at handover. Keep them separately.

5. Prefer brand manufacturers: components from Fronius, SMA, BYD, Huawei have their own service networks in Switzerland — independent of the installer.

6. Check references: ask for reference customers and call them. A reputable company has satisfied customers who are happy to provide information.

Why local installers carry a lower risk

From our experience with over 1'000 arranged installations in Switzerland, we can say: large, nationally operating providers with lots of advertising do not automatically have the lowest insolvency risk. On the contrary — companies that grow fast also shrink fast.

• Often 10–30 years of operating experience in the region
• Know their customers personally
• Have a good reputation to lose — and nurture it
• Not dependent on national order volume
• React faster to problems — because they are nearby

Checklist — What you must keep after installation

Print this list out and file everything in a folder:

• ✅ Invoice listing all components and serial numbers
• ✅ Works contract with warranty and guarantee agreements
• ✅ Guarantee certificates for panels (product and performance guarantee)
• ✅ Guarantee certificate for inverter
• ✅ Guarantee certificate for battery storage (if applicable)
• ✅ Commissioning report with installer signature
• ✅ OTP registration confirmation from Pronovo
• ✅ Registration with the local grid operator
• ✅ Technical data sheets for all main components
• ✅ Photos of the system and cable routing (before cladding)