Orphaned or Recalled Home Battery? How a Battery Retrofit Works
Earthlight Technologies • November 9, 2026
Orphaned or Recalled Home Battery? How a Battery Retrofit Works
Batteries have become a common part of home solar, and that means a new kind of service call. Earthlight’s team is hearing from more homeowners with older battery systems whose manufacturer or installer is no longer in business, or whose battery has been recalled. If that sounds like you, here is what to expect.
Why Orphaned Batteries Are Harder to Fix
With panels and wiring, an experienced technician can usually diagnose a problem on site. Batteries are different. Many battery issues are software related, and the back-end software belongs to the manufacturer. Installers and service providers do not have access to it.
When a battery manufacturer goes out of business, that visibility disappears. Our technicians can arrive, confirm that everything is powered on and the voltages look right, and still be unable to reach the internal component that is failing.
What Earthlight Can Do
For some batteries, we still have a few service avenues to try even when the manufacturer is gone. Photos of your battery and electrical equipment help us identify what you have before we visit. That matters on orphaned systems, because we do not have the original photos, documents, or diagrams that we keep for our own installs.
If your battery cannot be serviced, we can quote and plan a battery retrofit. We remove the existing battery system and replace it with a proven product we trust, typically a Tesla Powerwall or FranklinWH battery. Earthlight is a certified installer of both.
If Your Battery Has Been Recalled
If your manufacturer approves a warranty replacement for a recalled battery, Earthlight can install the replacement unit. If the manufacturer is out of business or a replacement is not available, a retrofit gives you a supported battery with a manufacturer still standing behind it.
Learn more about home battery storage, or read how we help orphaned solar system owners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orphaned and Recalled Batteries
What happens if my solar battery system is recalled?
Contact our service team with your battery details. If the manufacturer approves a warranty replacement, Earthlight can install the replacement unit. If the manufacturer is out of business, we can quote a battery retrofit, removing the old system and installing a proven battery such as a Tesla Powerwall or FranklinWH that we can fully support.
Can you service a battery from a company that went out of business?
Sometimes. For certain batteries, we still have service options even when the manufacturer is gone. Many battery problems are software related, though, and installers do not have access to the manufacturer’s back-end software. If we cannot reach the failing component, a battery retrofit is usually the most reliable path forward.
What is a battery retrofit?
A battery retrofit replaces an existing battery system that can no longer be serviced. Earthlight removes the old equipment and installs a proven battery we trust, typically a Tesla Powerwall or FranklinWH. The new battery works with your existing solar system and comes with active manufacturer support, so future issues can be diagnosed and repaired.
Why can’t a technician just fix my old battery on site?
Many battery issues live in the software, not the wiring. That software belongs to the manufacturer, and service providers do not have access to it. A technician can confirm that the battery is powered on and the voltages are good, yet still be unable to repair an internal fault without the manufacturer’s tools.
What should I send Earthlight before a battery service visit?
Send clear photos of your battery, inverter, and electrical equipment, plus any recall notices or warranty paperwork you have. Photos help our service team identify the equipment before we arrive, especially on older systems where the installer is no longer in business and we do not have the original installation documents or diagrams.
Battery not working? Contact Earthlight’s service team or visit our solar service page.
