In this guide

Cost to Remove Solar Panels to Replace Roof

On average, the cost of removing and reinstalling 14 to 16 solar panels from a 1,500 sq.ft. roof is $2,000 to $3,000, not including roof replacement. Labor makes most of the cost. It generally takes three to five days to remove the panels and eight to ten days to replace them once the new roof is installed. Removing a roof is best undertaken by a licensed and certified roofing professional. In most cases, the company that replaces your roof won’t be the company that removes your panels. However, some companies offer roofing and solar panel services.

Removing the panels is easy to do, but a skilled contractor should do it. The most important thing for a contractor to do is to disconnect the solar system from the power supply, including the grid, the breakers, and the metering appliance. After this, the individual panels need to be detached from one another. Once all the parts are disconnected, the panels are removed from the rooftop mounting hardware and carefully lowered to the ground. Mounting hardware, electrical cables, and wires are then removed from the roof.

Several factors affect the removal costs. The location of the panels may increase removal costs because contractors may require additional hours or extra laborers for more difficult locations. If your roof pitch is steep, this requires more time and labor to remove the panels and increases costs. Finally, a larger array of solar panel systems takes more time for removal, increasing labor and driving up costs.

Cost to Remove and Reinstall Solar Panels

Occasionally, solar panels need to be removed for reasons other than roof replacement, such as relocating to a new home or repairing them. The cost to remove solar energy panels costs $2,000 to $3,000 but increases to $4,000 to $8,000 or more if you plan to reinstall them to a new home. If repairs need to be made, these are not included in the price of removal and reinstallation. When considering whether to transfer panels to your new home, it may be a good idea to leave the panels behind and transfer them to the new homeowner. The costs to transfer a solar system to your new home will cost about the same as installing a new system in your new home.

How to Tell if Your Roof Needs to Be Replaced

Even though most roofs only need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years or longer, it is a good idea to have regular inspections, especially if you want to avoid a cold, uncomfortable, and leaky home. Roof inspections help with the early detection of roofing issues. A roof inspector can help you save money by proactively addressing issues before they get out of hand.

If your roof is older than 20 years, particularly if it is an asphalt shingle roof, it may be time to replace it whether you see visible damage or not. If you notice your asphalt shingles cupping or curling, this could indicate that there is water leakage or moisture issues present. Missing or cracked shingles may not indicate that the entire roof needs to be replaced, but they should be replaced as soon as possible. Shingles protect the roof decking. If shingles are missing, this can cause rotting, which exposes your home to leaks.

Sometimes roof issues are not apparent. In these instances, a roofing contractor needs to inspect your roof. For instance, you may have missing granules that make the roof more susceptible to fire. There also may be significant moss or algae growth on your roof. This can be removed with pressure washing. However, if the moss and algae are thick, they may cause roof damage. Excessive growth may indicate that there is a moisture problem.

Visible sunlight in the attic is a very serious issue that needs to be fixed immediately. It exposes your home to serious leaks and roof rot. Openings in the roof make your home less energy-efficient and increase your energy bills. Sometimes these openings come from general wear from an aging roof, but they could also indicate a pest problem. Another major roof issue that needs immediate attention is a sagging roof. This indicates major structural damage that only an experienced roofer can resolve.

Replacing Roof Shingles With Solar Panels

The average price to install new roof solar shingles ranges from $21 to $25, including labor, totaling $31,500 for a 1,500 sq.ft. roof. Compared to installing a shingles roof for $6,960 and adding new solar panels for $18,000, this seems to be more cost-effective than installing solar shingles. It can be tempting to get solar shingles because combining roof replacement and solar energy eliminates the need to spend money on both. However, since so few contractors offer solar shingles, the price is very steep. Also, since solar shingles need more coverage area to produce the same amount of electricity as panels, they aren’t as effective.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Solar Panel Cleaning Prices

The average cost of cleaning solar panels is $15 to $35 per panel. Many people opt to clean their solar panels before reinstalling them. The glass panels get very dirty over time. This interferes with the system’s ability to receive and convert solar energy. Mold or mildew can grow on the panels and block reception. Even bird poop can build up on the panels over time and prevent them from functioning at an optimal rate.

Solar Panel Storage

The average cost of solar panel shipment and off-site storage is around $250. Removing solar panels is a relatively easy process, but a professional needs to do it. The panels contain electrical parts that can easily be damaged if not handled correctly. Panels removed from the roof require a safe storage place to avoid any damage. After all the panels are removed and racked, they are safely bundled and stored onsite. Suppose there is no appropriate storage location at the property. Contractors offer an option to transport and store the panels, racking, and all related hardware offsite at their warehouse for an additional cost.

Solar Panel Repair Cost

The cost to repair solar panel issues can go from $20 to $3,000, depending on the problem. Some of the cheapest repairs are broken glass or loose wiring. Conversely, a broken inverter and damaged tiling are among the most expensive. If a solar panel company sees these types of problems or more with your panels, they need to fix them before reinstalling the panels. When repair issues are extensive, they may encourage you to upgrade the system entirely. This is especially possible if you have a system that is 25 to 30 years old. If possible, it is best to work with the company that installed your panels when making repairs. They will be most knowledgeable about the equipment and the repairs needed.