Costs to Remove Solar Panels

Solar panel systems are a renewable source of energy that helps reduce our electric bills and also provides guilt-free energy. Every system needs to be maintained regularly and so does the solar system. Its maintenance will require solar panel removal and reinstallation in some cases. Sometimes you might also just remove it for varying reasons.

Here’s a guide about everything you need to know about the cost to remove and reinstall panels.

Key Takeaways

• Solar panel removal and reinstallation may be necessary for various reasons, including selling a home, system maintenance, or roof repairs.
• The cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels varies depending on factors like ownership, damage, and additional services, with residential installations typically ranging from $1,500 to $6,000.
• Hiring a professional solar installation technician is recommended for safe and efficient panel removal and reinstallation, as it involves complex electrical systems and potential roof damage.

When to remove solar panels

Solar panels may work relatively normally even with damaged surfaces. It is important to get them checked by a professional before getting them fully removed.

Selling your home

In case you are selling your home, the new owner might not be interested in taking ownership of the solar panels. They might not want to lease the solar panels either. If you intend to have total removal of the solar panels without reinstalling solar panels then the cost of solar panel removal might be higher.

The costs will be high because all the wiring, conduit, and roof penetrations will have to be sealed to restore it to its previous state before the solar system was ever there.

Solar Power System isn’t functioning properly

It is important to have solar installation companies assess the condition and damage of the solar energy system.

The solar panel output might not be up to the mark. Their technicians may suggest a partial repair. This repair can be done by soldering the panels’ cracked surfaces together. The partial repairs can save you from the need to entirely replace the solar panel. Cracked solar panels work fine with servicing.

The roof needs to be repaired or replaced

If you have solar panels installed and after a few years you may wish to repair your roof or even replace it. If the roof is made of asphalt shingles and is over 20 years old then it is time to replace it. Damage to asphalt shingles such as curling or cupping indicates leakage.

For a roof repair, the roofing company will need you to remove solar panels for them to work on the roof. Later you can reinstall solar panels. The solar system will carry a reinstall cost with it.

Warranty is over

Solar installers generally offer a warranty of 25 years on the solar panels while also guaranteeing 80% initial efficiency at the end of the 25 years. When the solar panels become old and outdated, a full replacement is the best option.

In the past few years, the cost required to install new solar panels has gone down. If you are close to the 25-year mark then it is a bright idea to get a brand-new solar system for this energy source.

Solar panel removal companies

A solar panel is not very heavy. It weighs somewhere between 33 to 44 pounds. These are very delicate and their electrical wiring needs proper handling to prevent damage. All these considerations while balancing and working on the roof would be very risky and pose a threat to the roof shingles and the decking.

A solar company or a solar installer would do the job of removing solar panels safely. These solar companies or solar installers would carry insurance that would cover all damage that might occur in case of an accident.

Ideally, the company that had installed the old system should perform this task as they have the best information about their installation techniques. In case you go for any other electric company you should ensure they have a NABCEP PV installation certificate.

If at all you decide to remove every solar panel yourself then you should turn off the circuit breakers that are connected. Wear insulated gloves while handling other electrical connections.

How much does it cost to remove a solar panel system to replace roofs

Installation of a new solar energy system is charged on a $/watt increment basis. But determining the costs to remove a solar panel system on the roof is complicated.

The entire process where solar panels removed are reinstalled, is as laborious as installing a brand-new system. In fact, it will be even more work to reinstall the system as per the original specifications. On average, the solar panel removal cost and the reinstall cost will come to about $250 to $300 for each solar panel.

The costs depend upon the level of removal.

The per panel total cost uninstall calculation for solar panel removal is rather complicated. It depends on the method of purchasing these solar panels. If the solar panel system is a part of an agreement or a solar lease, then there is a fee charged to remove solar panels before the end of the contract.

If you own the solar panels then the cost to remove them from the roof would be about $300-$500.

If any solar panel or glass panels need repairing then the cost would be about $200-$1000. This depends on the level of damage and whether there is any broken glass.

In case of a full removal where the system and its connecting power wires need to be disconnected from the solar circuit, the cost will increase by $100 approximately.

Removal of the mounting device also increases the cost. It is wise to keep an extra budget of about $200 for shipping the panels. In case the actual roof requires to be repaired then you need a roof repairs budget of $600. If the roof repairs are not enough and you need a new roof then you need a budget of about $1500-$9000.

It is important to know how much does it cost for solar panel removal and reinstallation, and everything else that comes with it. Residential installations tend to cost roughly between $1500-$6000 for solar panel removal and reinstallation.

Additional Costs and Considerations

• Over time, most of the mounting device and hardware, original flashings become old and fragile. They might get damaged easily when removed and need replacement while reinstalling solar panels.
• You need to acquire a permit from the building and safety department of your city for solar removal and reinstallation.
• A minimum of 6 panels needs to be added to the solar system. Solar companies can overlook this minimum rule when they reinstall solar panels since they anyway have to acquire a permit.
• The cost of roof repairs, underlayment, decking replacements, and other roof materials is not included in the estimated cost. This cost is only to remove and reinstall the solar energy system.
•  It is essential to hire professional technicians from a solar installation company or from the original solar company that installed it in the first place. Hiring professionals might cost more for their services but it could save you lots on your electric bills.

DIY Considerations

It is no average DIY project to work on a solar power generation system. These solar energy systems are not so easy to operate. They are complex, intricate power plants that also have abundant electrical wiring, and heavy-weighted solar panels to take into consideration. Working with this complex solar energy system can be very dangerous and challenging since you would be handling electricity.

It is the safer option to hire a reliable solar installation technician.

Although, solar repair kits are now available to buy online making people believe that removing and reinstalling solar panels is a doable task. However, you should understand that these solar repair kits are designed got smaller applications like RVs and not for rooftops of homes.

How to remove solar panels

If and when the panels need cleaning or repairing, the process is very simple. You just have to unbolt it, unmount it, and unplug the connecting power wires.

If you need to remove it entirely then the solar circuit needs to be disconnected from the mainline which is a complicated task and increases labor fees. If you are someone who wants to sell your home after the removal of solar panels then you will have to remove the mounting hardware that is supposed to hold the solar panels upright.

Removal of the mounting hardware would mean that the openings that had been cut in the roof might get exposed. These openings will have to be patched up to prevent a leaking roof. To fix the roofing, local contractors will have to be called in and that might increase the costs.

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Investing in Solar Panels – Solar Panel Removal is Important

The roof repair and roof replacement processes have evolved over time as more and more people are investing in solar panels. Whether you need to replace the deck, the roof, or even other components of the roof, you will have to remove solar panels on the roof.

After roof repair is done, you will have to reinstall solar panels. The solar removal process on the roof is a long one.

It starts with turning off the solar energy system. It then moves on to detaching the solar power generation system followed by detaching mounting hardware. The mounting hardware is responsible for holding the solar panels in their places. Finally, the solar panels require to be removed. The most important part is securely storing the solar panels till they are needed to be reinstalled.

The age of the solar system, its size, the types of solar panels and their mounting hardware, the solar inverter, the number of solar panels, and finally the height of the roof have an effect on the labor involved and the cost to remove solar systems.

A fully licensed solar company should be given the solar panel removal contract. Unless needed for roofing issues, a normal roofer is not licensed to work with removing solar panels and installing solar panels. You need licensed solar technicians for this purpose.