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Checked October 20, 2026: to replace a roof under solar panels, a solar crew disconnects and removes the array, a roofer replaces the roof, and the solar crew reinstalls and recommissions the system. EnergySage puts removal and reinstallation at $1,500 to $6,000.[1] If you lease, get the system owner’s approval first; Sunrun requires it for outside roofers.[2]
If you still owe on a solar loan, lease or PPA, see if a solar contract exit company can look at your options. No cost to submit. We do not remove or reinstall panels.
How solar panel removal and reinstall works
- Get the roof assessed by a licensed roofer, and find out whether the whole roof or only the section under the array needs work.
- Book a certified solar company for the removal and the reinstall. Fixr says only certified solar professionals should remove or reinstall a system, and that the roof work itself belongs to a licensed roofer; the solar company often is not the roofer.[3]
- If you lease or have a PPA, get written approval from the system owner before anyone touches the panels (see below).
- Removal: Fixr says disconnecting and removing a typical system takes about 1 to 2 days.[3] Ask where the panels will be stored; Fixr lists storage or shipment at about $250.[3]
- Roof replacement by the roofer, including new flashing where the mounts will go back.
- Reinstall and recommission: Fixr says reinstalling takes about 2 to 3 days.[3] Confirm the system shows production again in your monitoring app before you pay the final invoice.
The system is off the whole time. Paradise Energy, an installer, points out that the time between de-energizing and recommissioning is lost solar savings and should be counted in the cost.[4]
Solar panel removal and reinstall cost
| Source (date) | Removal and reinstall | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EnergySage (May 15, 2026)[1] | $1,500 to $6,000 | When you re-roof after installing solar |
| Fixr (Jan 31, 2025)[3] | $2,800 to $4,800; about $3,800 for 15 panels; $200 to $300 per panel | Up to $18,000 to remove 15 panels, replace the roof and reinstall; repairs of $400 to $1,000 not included |
| Paradise Energy, Mid-Atlantic installer (Sep 25, 2026)[4] | $275 to $300 per panel: $4,125 to $4,500 for 15 panels, $8,250 to $9,000 for 30 | From its own completed projects over the past year |
Price drivers named by these sources: number of panels, roof height and pitch, the number of roof faces with panels, roofing material, crew travel time, and any repairs found when the panels come off.[4][3] The detailed cost breakdown, disposal and DIY questions are on our solar panel removal cost guide.
Who removes and reinstalls panels if your installer went out of business?
EnergySage recommends the original installer first, because it knows the system and its warranty may cover part of the cost; if you cannot reach it, other solar companies offer operations and maintenance services for systems they did not install.[1] When the installer is bankrupt, that second route is the only one.
- Ask for manufacturer certification. EnergySage says work by a company not certified by your equipment manufacturer can void the warranty, and the manufacturer can often recommend authorized local companies.[5]
- Check credentials. The NABCEP Professional Directory shows whether a person holds a current certification and when it expires.[6]
- Get one written scope that covers removal, storage, roof flashing at the mounts, reinstall, recommissioning and a workmanship warranty on the reinstall.
More on finding a company for an orphaned system: solar repair after your installer goes out of business.
Leased panels and PPAs: get the owner’s approval
With a lease or PPA you do not own the panels, so check the agreement for a removal clause and get written approval before any work. Two examples from company pages:
- Sunrun: its roofing page says roofing work involving a Sunrun system must be done by a contractor certified to work with Sunrun installations, and that if you hire an outside roofer you need prior approval through Sunrun Customer Care at 855-478-6786; without it, you risk delays.[2]
- SunStrong (former SunPower, Sunnova and some PosiGen accounts): SunStrong says it now manages service for the systems it took over.[7][8] It also says it does not provide maintenance for loan customers or customers who own their systems outright.[9] If you lease from it, contact it before scheduling a roofer; our SunStrong Management guide has the contact details.
Selling the house too? Leased systems and solar loans add their own steps at closing; see solar company went bankrupt for what happens to a lease or loan when the installer is gone.
How to protect your warranties during a reroof
- Panel and inverter warranties. EnergySage warns that removing panels can void the panel manufacturer’s warranty, leaving you responsible for later problems.[1] SolarEdge’s warranty, for example, stays in effect after a transfer only if any reinstallation follows its installation directions.[10] Ask the manufacturer, in writing, what it requires before the panels come off.
- Uncertified crews. Fixr says using uncertified professionals may void warranties and insurance coverage.[3]
- Roof warranty under the panels. EnergySage says an existing roof warranty commonly becomes void for the area under the panels once solar goes on, and that solar companies’ own roof warranties typically last about 10 years.[1] If that installer is bankrupt, ask your new roofer to warrant the whole roof, including the area under the array.
- Keep records: before and after photos, serial numbers, the written scope, and the date the system was recommissioned.
Leaks around the mounts? See solar panels damaging your roof. Warranty claim refused? See solar warranty after installer bankruptcy.
Timing a new roof with solar
EnergySage says solar systems typically last about 25 to 30 years, asphalt roofs usually about 30 years, and metal and tile roofs can last over 50 years, so even a 10-year-old asphalt roof may not outlast the panels. It also says that because roofs and solar systems have similar lifespans, going solar is still worth it in most cases even if you later need to re-roof.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to remove and reinstall solar panels?
EnergySage puts removal and reinstallation at $1,500 to $6,000 when you re-roof (May 2026). Fixr reports about $3,800 for 15 panels, or $200 to $300 per panel (January 2025).
Do solar panels have to come off for a roof replacement?
Yes for the roof under the array: a solar crew disconnects and removes the panels, the roofer replaces the roof, and the solar crew reinstalls and recommissions the system.
How long does solar panel removal and reinstall take?
Fixr says about 1 to 2 days to disconnect and remove the panels and about 2 to 3 days to reinstall them, plus the time the roof work takes in between.
Who removes solar panels for a roof replacement if my installer went out of business?
Another solar company certified by your equipment manufacturer. EnergySage says some solar companies offer operations and maintenance services for systems they did not install, and the manufacturer can often recommend authorized local companies.
Can I use my own roofer on leased solar panels?
Check your agreement first. Sunrun, for example, says an outside roofer needs prior approval through Sunrun Customer Care and must be certified to work with Sunrun installations.
Will removing my solar panels void the warranty?
It can. EnergySage warns that removal can void the panel manufacturer's warranty, and Fixr says uncertified crews may void warranties and insurance coverage. Ask the manufacturer in writing what it requires before work starts.
Should I replace my roof before installing solar?
EnergySage recommends a roof inspection before installing solar unless the roof is new, because asphalt roofs usually last about 30 years and solar systems about 25 to 30 years.
If you still owe on a solar loan, lease or PPA, see if a solar contract exit company can help. No cost to submit. We do not repair systems.
Sources
Checked October 20, 2026. Prices are published estimates from the sources below, not quotes. Warranty terms change, so confirm on the linked source and your own documents before you act.
- Consumer guideEnergySage, Should you replace your roof before adding solar panels? (updated May 15, 2026)
- CompanySunrun, Roofing page for Sunrun customers (FAQ on roof work and outside roofers)
- Cost guideFixr, Cost to remove solar panels to replace roof (updated Jan 31, 2025)
- Installer price pageParadise Energy (Mid-Atlantic installer), Solar panel removal and reinstallation: process and costs (updated Sep 25, 2026)
- Consumer guideEnergySage, When solar panel repair is needed, and when it's not (updated Aug 28, 2025)
- Certification bodyNABCEP Professional Directory (look up certified solar professionals)
- CompanySunStrong Management, Company page (SunPower, Sunnova and PosiGen portfolios)
- CompanySunStrong Management, Help Center (transition, payments, SunStrong Connect app, cellular monitoring)
- CompanySunStrong Management, Customer service inquiry form (maintenance scope notice)
- Manufacturer warrantySolarEdge Technologies, Limited Product Warranty (revised August 2025; copy hosted by SolarQuotes)
- Manufacturer supportSolarEdge, I Have a Warranty Question (US support page, checked Oct 20, 2026)
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal, financial or technical advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results vary by individual situation. We do not advise homeowners to stop making payments or breach contractual obligations. Consult a qualified attorney licensed in your state before acting on your solar contract or loan, and a qualified, licensed solar professional before any work on your system. SolarPanelExit.com does not repair, remove or install solar equipment. We may earn compensation when you contact companies through our site. This does not change our ratings. Form submissions may be shared with our authorized partners, solar contract exit companies that pay us for inquiries. See our Ownership Disclosure, Advertiser Disclosure and Methodology.