A typical SunPower® solar installation generates low-cost, environmentally friendly power for 25 to 30 years or more, making the switch to solar power a long-term project. That means it’s vital to have a good warranty to protect your investment. SunPower’s Complete Confidence Warranty is considered the most comprehensive warranty in the solar industry, and it’s important to understand why.

Solar warranties come in three main types. It’s important to understand what each type typically covers so that you know what you are signing up for. Here’s a quick breakdown of how they work:

Solar panel product warranty: This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship. In the rare event that a solar panel suddenly stops working correctly, the product warranty will most likely cover it.

Solar panel power warranty: The power output of all solar panels diminishes or “degrades” over time. Knowing this degradation rate (which is stated in the warranty document) will give you a clear sense of the minimum amount of power you’ll be guaranteed for a designated amount of your panels’ lifespan. If a panel’s output is lower than promised, the manufacturer will replace, repair or reimburse you for the panel.1

Combined power and product warranty: These can be tricky because many solar companies cover their products and the power output for different time periods. SunPower’s comprehensive warranty covers your solar system and guarantees the highest DC power output in the solar industry.

Depending on which solar provider you choose, you could end up with several different warranties to sift through and that can get confusing. Most solar companies create rooftop systems using parts from different manufacturers. Not SunPower. Our highly trained dealer network and Master Dealers use parts and engineering all created by or for SunPower, so there’s no doubt that the warranty covers the hardware on your roof and the workmanship that put it there.

Be aware of the product warranties provided to you. Many only cover the solar panels. But there’s more to your solar system than just the solar panels. The SunPower Complete Confidence Warranty covers your entire system. Everything on the roof – including panels, microinverters and racking – is covered for 25 years. As for the rest– such as monitoring hardware and storage – it is covered for 10 years. The reason being that much of this equipment is still evolving and may require updates to ensure it performs at its maximum potential.

But the parts of a solar system are only as good as the power they produce, which is why SunPower’s warranty gives you peace of mind about that as well. SunPower’s solar panel degradation rate is the lowest in the industry.2 We guarantee that your panels won’t lose more than 8 percent of their original direct current power output over 25 years. Conventional panels, meanwhile, typically lose at least 17 percent during the same period of time. That means a high-efficiency SunPower system can crank out more energy over the decades its powering your home.

SunPower solar panels are so durable because they’re built with a unique solid copper foundation that can withstand weathering and corrosion better than conventional panels. SunPower panels are made with ultra-pure silicon to make anti-reflective glass that allows the light that enters to bounce back into the panel and harvest as much power as possible. So SunPower panels generate more power than any other solar panels, even on cloudy days, while looking terrific on your roof.

Your SunPower installer becomes a partner who can smooth the transition from traditional grid energy to solar. As long as SunPower panels power your home, your dealer will be able to provide a hassle-free replacement, repair or reimbursement for any defective panel or part covered by your warranty. If your system’s not performing up to standard, a certified installation contractor can help fix the issue.

SunPower is the only solar company that’s been in business longer than our 25-year panel warranty, so we have the experience needed to help people save money on electricity bills while reducing their carbon footprint. Once the switch is made, our best-in-class warranty will protect you for the long haul.

This post originally appeared on the SunPower Resources Blog