EverVolt battery warranty complete overview

Let's face it – warranties aren't the easiest (or most gripping) documents to read. There are often a lot of details and fine print included that can be hard to digest, leaving many to wonder: what does the warranty actually cover? Am I vulnerable? Anything I might be missing?

To make it as easy as possible, we've read warranty documents for the top solar battery manufacturers, talked to them to confirm what is and isn't included, and plan to point out the most important aspects of each in a series of articles. In this article, we are taking a look at the battery warranty of one of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world: Panasonic.

Panasonic is a Japan-based company founded in 1918 as a lightbulb socket manufacturer. Over the last century, they have grown into an internationally recognized producer of electronics. They expanded into the solar and energy storage markets and launched their first battery, the Panasonic EverVolt, in 2019. In 2022, they launched the EverVolt 2.0, a larger battery with additional features. In this warranty review, we'll discuss the Panasonic EverVolt and the EverVolt 2.0 warranties.

Panasonic's EverVolt battery comes in two different usable capacities: the EverVolt Standard and the EverVolt Plus. The EverVolt 2.0 also comes in one 17.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) model, the EVHB-L6. All of these batteries come with a 10-year limited warranty that guarantees that the battery will maintain 60 percent of its charge capacity for the full length of the warranty period.

Panasonic's battery warranty at a glance

NOTE: if you're interested in the EverVolt, Panasonic currently offers a $500 rebate for their batteries on EnergySage.

A battery manufacturer's product and performance warranty covers the integrity and output of the equipment itself. If your battery system has a defect or experiences unreasonable degradation, that should be covered by your product warranty. If there's a defect with your battery, you or your installer should be able to tell that something is amiss and fix the problem immediately–often before the battery is ever installed. Regardless, it's good to consider products with longer warranties for the peace of mind it provides.

Panasonic includes a 10-year product warranty for all of its batteries. You can review and compare Panasonic's batteries in the EnergySage Buyer's Guide.

You'll also notice that many battery warranties will include a clause suggesting that your term may be cut short depending on your battery use – this is where cycles and throughput come into play.

Cycles

Every time you drain and charge your battery, it's called a "cycle." Like the battery inside your cell phone, your solar battery will gradually lose its ability to hold a full charge the more you use it. Because of this, some manufacturers guarantee a minimum number of cycles as part of their warranty agreement. But read this line carefully: manufacturers often guarantee a fixed product term OR a minimum number of cycles, whichever comes first. It could end your warranty term if you hit the warranted number of cycles before your battery reaches its warranty period. The confusing part here is that manufacturers sometimes define a "cycle" differently–i.e., how much your battery needs to be drained and charged for it to be considered a "cycle"?

Panasonic includes a cycles warranty of 6,000 cycles for both EverVolt 2.0 models (but doesn't include a cycles clause for the original EverVolt). They define a "cycle" as the battery is 100% discharged and recharged.

Throughput

Another clause that some manufacturers will put on their warranty pertains to throughput: the total energy a manufacturer expects the battery to deliver throughout its lifetime. Companies state these warranties in terms of megawatt-hours (MWh). For example, if your battery company provides a throughput warranty of 30 MWh, the warranty is valid until the battery stores and delivers 30 MWh–or 30,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh)–of energy. Like a cycle life warranty, throughput warranties typically only apply if your battery delivers a set amount of energy before its warranty period.

Throughput numbers will vary quite a bit depending on the overall storage capacity of your system. Additionally, if your battery system contains several different battery cells–or modules–within it, your warranty may state a throughput by cell (which you can multiply by the number of cells to get the total throughput).

Panasonic includes a throughput warranty of 2.65 MWh per kWh for the original EverVolt battery in both the Standard (11.4 kWh) and Plus (17.1 kWh) models.

In addition to providing cycle or throughput warranties, most manufacturers also promise a certain level of performance by the time your warranty is up. This often presents itself as an end-of-warranty capacity rating.

Higher percentages are better than lower percentage guarantees when comparing the end-of-warranty capacity ratings across various batteries.

Panasonic includes an end-of-capacity rating of 60% for all of its batteries. You can check the end-of-warranty capacity ratings for each Panasonic battery model in the table below.

Panasonic's battery end of warranty capacity

Battery companies should cover a replacement battery if you need it during their warrantied term–but while the manufacturer may cover your replacement part, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll cover the labor costs to re-install that equipment. Many manufacturers do not reimburse for labor associated with diagnostics, replacements, or repairs of their products.

More often than not, installers are the sole party responsible for providing workmanship–or labor–warranties for your battery installation. However, some manufacturers offer additional protection by tacking on their own workmanship warranty for a limited number of certified installers in their network.

Panasonic does not currently offer a workmanship warranty for any necessary labor on the EverVolt or EverVolt 2.0 batteries. You can learn more about manufacturer endorsements and how they impact installer warranty offerings in this article.

Ideally, your storage system will continue operating smoothly for 10+ years, and you'll never have to worry about Panasonic's warranty. However, if you experience any defects or performance issues with your equipment, Panasonic will be there to help.

If you notice an issue with your battery, your first phone call should be to your original installer: having designed and installed your system, they are the most equipped to diagnose (and fix!) any potential issue. If you can't get in touch with your installer, or if they've gone out of business, you can contact Panasonic's battery storage support team online.

During the warranty period, you can contact Panasonic with issues covered in the warranty that your installer cannot resolve. If repair or replacement of parts is needed, you should contact Panasonic in writing via email or through their online battery storage support team.

When it comes time for any repairs or replacements, there are two additional warranty considerations you'll want to keep in mind: labor and shipping costs.

Labor costs for diagnostics, repairs, or replacements

Many manufacturers cover replacement parts at no extra cost but don't pay for the labor costs necessary to re-install that equipment. Panasonic does not offer a labor warranty for its EverVolt battery and will not cover the costs of repairing or replacing defective parts.

Shipping of parts

Similarly, not all equipment manufacturers will pay the costs to get equipment to you – and unfortunately, Panasonic isn't one of them.

Every warranty has its exceptions – Panasonic is no different. Warranty limitations aren't meant to make it harder for you to take advantage of the offering; companies try to protect themselves from unjust or unreasonable claims.

Here are a few things that aren't covered in your Panasonic warranty:

• The Panasonic EverVolt Standard and EverVolt Plus must be installed inside and are not certified for outdoor use. The temperature of the indoor location where it's installed cannot fall outside the range of 32°F to 122°F. The EverVolt 2.0 is suitable for outdoor use.

• Improper system installation or application that doesn't comply with the installation manual – an EverVolt-certified installer must also install your battery system to be eligible for the warranty.

• Acts of nature – this is a common one – most battery system manufacturers will not cover any damage caused by extreme weather events outside their control, such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc. Fortunately, the hardware is pretty durable and can withstand most storms without the added protection. Even better, many homeowner insurance policies cover damage to solar-plus-storage systems if damage occurs during a storm.

• Technical or cosmetic defects that do not interfere with the battery's performance or actively degrade the system.

• Claims were made over a year after the alleged defect or damage was noticed.

For a complete list of exclusions, be sure to check out Panasonic's warranty documentation.

• Transferability: the Panasonic battery warranty is transferable to new owners if the battery remains at its original location.

• Bankability: Panasonic Corporation is a multinational company that produces batteries, electronics, industrial systems, and other goods. It is a publicly-traded company on the Tokyo stock exchange (PCRFY), and you can find more information about the company on its investor page.

• Escrows/insurance policies: Panasonic does not provide information on whether they have insurance policies or an escrow that ensures their warranties will be upheld if they go out of business.

• Eligibility: some manufacturers require customers to permanently connect to their monitoring system for their warranty to be valid. Panasonic's warranty requires the battery to remain connected to the Internet during the warranty period so that Panasonic can remotely monitor and update the battery. However, if you experience periodic losses of Internet connection outside your control, your battery will still be covered under warranty.

• Customer reviews: an important part of understanding a manufacturer's warranty offering is investigating how customers feel about their equipment and their services. Any warranty can look promising on paper, but the installer or manufacturer's performance when honoring their warranty is also critically important. If you are interested in reading Panasonic's reviews, you can do so here.

Finding the right storage system for your home means comparing multiple quotes from solar installers. Using the EnergySage Marketplace, you can find local solar installers near you and make easy side-by-side comparisons of all your solar-plus-storage options, including equipment. By shopping around first, you can find the right option at the right price – warranties and all. If you prefer one type of equipment over another–Panasonic or otherwise–note it in your account when you sign up so installers can quote you accordingly.