# Supplier Evidence Note 03

## BESS warranty terms need operating condition context

Date: 2026-07-04  
Status: public draft. Use for education and RFQ preparation, not product approval.

## Why this matters

Many C&I BESS conversations start with a simple warranty line: 5 years, 10 years or cycle count. That line is not enough for a serious buyer. A warranty term only becomes useful when it is connected to operating conditions, system boundary and service responsibility.

For Solarbe Global, this is a typical supplier evidence gap. The product may be real and the supplier may be capable, but the buyer cannot judge the offer if the warranty statement is separated from how the system will be used.

## The common evidence gap

When a supplier says "10-year warranty", a buyer still needs to know:

1. Which components are covered: cells, battery module, cabinet, PCS, EMS, HVAC, fire safety or full system.
2. Which operating conditions apply: temperature range, humidity, altitude, indoor or outdoor installation.
3. Which cycle assumptions apply: daily cycle count, depth of discharge and expected throughput.
4. Which control settings matter: EMS strategy, charge/discharge limits and operating mode.
5. Which actions void or limit the warranty: improper installation, unauthorized maintenance, missing monitoring data or non-approved spare parts.
6. Who handles diagnosis, parts, labor and local response.

Without these details, buyers may compare two offers as if they are equivalent when their risk boundaries are very different.

## What buyers should ask

Before comparing BESS offers, ask for a warranty condition table. The table should include:

- Product line and model range.
- Covered components.
- Warranty period and cycle or throughput assumptions.
- Operating temperature and site condition.
- Maintenance requirement.
- Monitoring and data record requirement.
- Exclusions and service response boundary.

This does not need to be a long legal document at the first step. It needs to be clear enough for RFQ and technical discussion.

## What suppliers should prepare

Suppliers should not send only a catalogue and a warranty year. A buyer-readable BESS evidence folder should include:

1. Datasheet and system boundary.
2. Warranty statement with operating assumptions.
3. Installation and maintenance notes.
4. EMS / BMS operating boundary.
5. Fire safety and thermal management evidence.
6. Public-use product images with safe captions.
7. Local service route or the limits of supplier responsibility.

## Solarbe Global working path

Solarbe Global can help turn a loose warranty claim into a buyer-readable evidence note:

1. Identify one BESS product line.
2. Map the warranty term to model range and system components.
3. List missing operating assumptions.
4. Convert missing assumptions into RFQ questions.
5. Decide whether the case needs Buyer Brief, Evidence Gap or Partner Role Note.

## Boundary

This note is for evidence preparation. It is not product certification, supplier ranking, legal advice, live quotation or transaction commitment.

## Next action

If a BESS offer depends on warranty comparison, start with one warranty condition table before price discussion.