Back to Blog Solar & Roofing Your Solar Company Filed Bankruptcy. What Happens to Your Roof Warranty?
Mark WhiteJune 15, 20268 min read If you have solar panels on your roof, you may have heard some unsettling news. Three of the largest residential solar companies in the United States have filed bankruptcy in the past two years:
- SunPower: filed bankruptcy August 2024
- Sunnova: filed bankruptcy June 2025
- Freedom Forever: filed Chapter 11 April 2026 with over $500 million in debt
These three companies alone installed solar on hundreds of thousands of homes across Texas and the rest of the country. And now homeowners are left with serious questions: Who handles my warranty? What if my panels leak? Who do I call if something goes wrong?
I've been doing roofing in San Antonio for over 25 years. We've repaired dozens of roofs where solar installations caused problems. Let me break down what's actually happening, what it means for your roof, and what you should do about it.
Which Warranties Survived and Which Died
This is the part most people don't understand, and it matters. There are several different warranties involved in a solar installation, and they don't all come from the same company.
- Panel manufacturer warranty (25 years product + performance): This warranty is between you and the panel manufacturer (Qcells, REC, Canadian Solar, etc.), not the installer. It typically survives the installer's bankruptcy.
- Inverter warranty (10 to 25 years): Same situation. This is from the inverter manufacturer (Enphase, SolarEdge, etc.). Usually survives.
- Battery warranty (10 years): From the battery manufacturer (Tesla, Enphase, etc.). Usually survives.
- Workmanship warranty: This is the one from your installer. It covers the quality of the installation work itself. When the installer goes bankrupt, this warranty dies with them.
- Roof penetration warranty: Also from your installer. It covers the holes they drilled through your roof to mount the panels and the flashing around those penetrations. This also dies when the installer goes under.
Read that last point again. The warranty that covers the holes in your roof is gone. Those penetrations are the single most likely point of failure in any solar installation. Every bolt through your roof is a potential leak point. And the company that promised to fix any leaks no longer exists.
Why Roof Penetrations Are the Real Risk
Solar panels themselves rarely cause roof problems. The issue is always the mounting system. Every solar installation requires dozens of lag bolts drilled directly through your roofing material and into the roof deck. Each bolt gets a flashing boot or sealant to prevent water intrusion.
When those flashings are installed correctly by experienced roofers, they hold up well. But the solar industry grew so fast that many installation crews had minimal roofing experience. They were trained to install solar, not to weatherproof a roof.
In San Antonio, our extreme heat (regular 100+ degree days) causes roofing materials to expand and contract constantly. Sealants dry out. Flashing boots crack. The UV exposure here is brutal. Over time, even good installations can develop issues at penetration points.
If your solar installer is still in business, they come out and fix it under warranty. If they're bankrupt, you're calling a roofer. That's where we come in.
What San Antonio Homeowners Should Do Right Now
If your solar was installed by Freedom Forever, SunPower, Sunnova, or any other company that has closed, here's your action plan:
- Get a roof inspection focused on solar penetration points. Not a general roof inspection. You need someone who will specifically check every mounting bolt, every flashing boot, and every conduit penetration. We do this with both ground-level assessment and drone inspection.
- Gather your paperwork. Find your original solar contract, your panel manufacturer warranty, your inverter warranty, and any documentation from the installation. You'll need these if you ever file a panel manufacturer warranty claim.
- Check your homeowner's insurance. Some policies cover water damage from failed solar penetrations even if the installer's warranty is void. Review your policy or call your agent.
- Don't wait for a leak. By the time water is dripping inside your house, the damage to your roof deck, insulation, and drywall could already be significant. Prevention is cheaper than repair.
- Consider a maintenance plan. Regular inspection of your solar mounting points (every 1 to 2 years) can catch small problems before they become expensive ones.
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
Not sure about the condition of your roof? We will send a certified inspector to your home at no cost. Same day or next business day availability.
Book Your Free Inspection →Can You Remove Solar Panels If You Want Them Gone?
Some homeowners, frustrated with the bankruptcy situation, want their panels removed entirely. This is absolutely possible, but it's not as simple as unbolting them.
The removal process involves safely disconnecting the electrical system, removing the panels and racking, properly patching and sealing every penetration point, and in many cases, replacing the roofing material in the affected area. This requires both electrical and roofing expertise.
We work with licensed electricians to handle the full removal and roof restoration process. If your panels are still producing good energy and saving you money, removal may not make financial sense. But if the system is underperforming or you're planning a roof replacement anyway, it's worth discussing.
What About Roof Replacement With Solar Panels?
If your roof is aging and you have solar panels, you're looking at a more complex project. The panels need to come off, the roof gets replaced, and then the panels go back on with new mounting hardware and fresh penetration seals.
This is actually an opportunity. When we reinstall the panels, every penetration gets done right with proper roofing-grade flashing, not just sealant. You get a new roof warranty AND new penetration warranties from us. A legitimate roofing company backs the entire system.
We've handled dozens of these re-roof-under-solar projects across San Antonio. It costs more than a standard roof replacement because of the panel handling, but the result is a fully warrantied system from top to bottom.
How Legacy Can Help
Legacy Home Improvements was the first roofing company to earn Premier Contractor status from the City of San Antonio. We've been serving San Antonio homeowners since 1999.
We offer free solar roof inspections specifically focused on mounting penetrations, flashing condition, and signs of water intrusion. If we find problems, we give you honest options and transparent pricing. If your roof looks good, we'll tell you that too.
Whether you need a minor repair at a few penetration points, a full roof replacement under your existing panels, or complete panel removal and roof restoration, we handle the entire process.
Free Solar Roof Inspection
If your solar installer has filed bankruptcy, or if you're simply not sure who installed your panels, call us at (210) 272-7272 or book online at legacytx.com/book. We'll inspect every penetration point on your roof, document the condition with photos and drone footage, and give you a clear picture of where things stand. No charge, no obligation.
Got a roofing question? Something keeping you up at night? (Besides that mysterious dripping sound?) Email me personally at mwhite@legacytx.com. I read and answer every single one.
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Learn About Roof Certifications → MW Mark White
Owner, Legacy Home Improvements · San Antonio since 1999
Mark has been in the roofing business for over 25 years. He personally inspects homes, works with insurance adjusters, and answers every email at mwhite@legacytx.com.
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