Since the announcement in August, SunPower has been navigating its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings to determine the next steps for warranty claims related to existing customers.
We are happy to report that the manufacturers responsible for most SunPower products—Maxeon for solar panels and Enphase for inverters—will continue to provide warranty support. If you need to file a warranty claim, please reach out to Freedom Solar, and we will assist you through the process.
It’s important to note that, due to the ongoing bankruptcy situation, SunPower’s solar monitoring service and the mySunPower app may cease to function if no third party acquires this service during the proceedings. Freedom Solar has sent a letter to SunPower urging them to cover their warranty responsibilities and continue monitoring services for our customers. Unfortunately, we do not anticipate a positive outcome regarding these matters.
If you are worried about losing monitoring access soon, Enphase offers a monitoring platform and mobile app that can easily integrate with your SunPower system. Currently, the installation cost for this service is $899 plus tax, which includes one year of Enphase Care, covering free labor for any issues related to Enphase equipment.
We’ve explored other solar monitoring options available in the market and found that Enphase’s pricing aligns with industry standards. We want to clarify that Freedom Solar is not financially connected to Enphase and does not profit from their product sales.
You are not obligated to take action immediately if your solar system is functioning properly. The decision to add Enphase or other monitoring solutions is entirely yours. Additionally, if you consider adding backup batteries to your solar setup in the future, the Tesla app provides monitoring for solar output, albeit without panel-level specifics.
Please note that Enphase monitoring will not directly connect with your battery storage system. If you have a Tesla Powerwall, continue using the Tesla app for battery management alongside the Enphase app for solar monitoring. For options regarding non-Enphase batteries, you can visit enphase.com/support/sunpower.
To learn more about integrating your system with Enphase monitoring, you can email spwrquery@enphaseenergy.com, call 510-945-6752, or refer to their FAQs at https://enphase.com/support/sunpower/system-owners.
We understand that the news about SunPower has caused considerable uncertainty, and we are here to help you navigate these challenges. Please let us know if you have any immediate concerns.
Original Post on August 6, 2024
We are saddened by the news of SunPower’s Chapter 11 filing. As a long-time supplier, we have many friends and colleagues affected by this situation. We are thankful to SunPower for their contributions and wish their team success during this difficult time.
Many of our customers may be concerned about the implications of this news. At Freedom Solar Power, we remain committed to our current and future customers and are equipped for continued service and growth. We believe that all active warranties will be honored by the manufacturers linked to your solar systems, ensuring no negative impact on our customers’ warranties.
The future of solar energy is robust, and our company is prepared to meet any challenges that arise. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service to our customers throughout this process. For specific inquiries, please check our FAQs or reach out to our Customer Care team at customerservice@freedomsolarpower.com or 1 (833) 500-0014. For media inquiries, please contact ebrice@fwv-us.com.
Thank you for your continued support and trust.
Bret Biggart CEO, Freedom Solar Power
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the SunPower news impact Freedom Solar Power?
Freedom Solar Power operates independently of SunPower. We remain a strong player in the solar sales, installation, and service industry, ready to support our customers without disruption. While we are saddened by the news, we do not anticipate it will affect our operations or services.
Is Freedom Solar going bankrupt or entering Chapter 11?
No. Freedom Solar is a solid company in the solar industry, privately held and founded in 2007. We have no plans for a bankruptcy filing.
What happens to my warranty now that SunPower is bankrupt?
Your Freedom Solar workmanship warranty remains in effect for the full 25-year lifespan of your solar panel system. The primary manufacturers, Maxeon for solar panels and Enphase for inverters, have committed to providing warranty support. If you need service or to submit a warranty claim, please contact customerservice@freedomsolarpower.com.
I have Mission Solar Panels. Will I be affected by the SunPower bankruptcy?
No, Mission Solar operates independently of SunPower. Your 25-year workmanship warranty from Freedom Solar and Mission Solar’s 25-year product warranty will be honored.
I have REC Solar Panels. Will I be affected by the SunPower bankruptcy?
No, REC has confirmed that they will honor their warranty as the original equipment manufacturer.
I have Waaree Solar Panels. What about my warranty?
If you purchased SunPower U-Series panels manufactured by Waaree, your warranty falls under SunPower’s warranty. Your Freedom Solar workmanship warranty remains valid, but we are still assessing the situation regarding product/service warranties.
I have Enphase Inverters. Will these be affected?
No, Enphase has stated that they will honor the product warranty for Enphase microinverters used in SunPower solar systems.
I have SolarBridge inverters. What is the warranty situation?
Unfortunately, there is no manufacturer’s warranty for SolarBridge inverters after Enphase acquired SolarBridge’s assets but not its liabilities. We are advocating for our customers but have not been successful so far.
What should I do if my SolarBridge microinverters are down?
You can replace non-working SolarBridge microinverters with Enphase ones to restore power. Alternatively, we can replace all SolarBridge microinverters with Enphase units to avoid future issues.
What happens to my SunPower monitoring?
Due to the ongoing bankruptcy, SunPower’s monitoring services may cease functioning unless a third party acquires the service. Enphase provides a monitoring solution to integrate with your SunPower system, available for $899 plus tax for installation, which includes a year of Enphase Care.
Please reach out to Enphase for more information at spwrquery@enphaseenergy.com.
Why do I have to pay for the transition to Enphase monitoring?
We understand this creates an inconvenience. The fee reflects Enphase’s costs for their monitoring system and labor. Although the SunPower monitoring service is currently operational, transitioning to Enphase is a necessary consideration.
How long will it take to transition to the Enphase monitoring platform?
The transition timing will depend on your scheduling a site visit with Enphase for installation. The sooner you initiate contact, the quicker the process will be.
If you have further questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are committed to providing you with the support you need as we navigate these changes.