If you’re planning a roof replacement and you already have solar panels, one question usually comes up immediately:
“Do my solar panels need to be removed before the new roof goes on?”
The short answer is yes — in almost every situation, solar panels must be detached before roofing work begins. The good news? When the job is handled by trained professionals, the process is safe, efficient, and protects both your roof and your solar investment.
Here’s everything homeowners should know before replacing a roof with solar panels already installed.
Why Solar Panels Must Be Removed for a Roof Replacement
Roof replacements require full access to shingles, underlayment, flashing, vents, and nail patterns. Because solar panels and their mounting hardware attach directly to your roof, they must be removed to prevent:
- Torn shingles
- Damaged mounts
- Exposed wiring
- Voided roofing warranties
- Uneven shingle installation
- Water intrusion
Leaving panels in place while roofers work can cause serious and expensive damage.
What Is a Solar Detach & Reset?
A solar detach & reset is a professional service where a licensed solar technician:
Detach (Before Roofing):
- Fully powers down the system
- Unmounts panels safely
- Disconnects wiring, conduit, and inverter connections
- Removes racking and mounting hardware
- Inspects flashing and roof penetrations
- Stores the system securely during roofing
Reset (After Roofing):
- Installs new flashing and mounts
- Reinstalls racking and panels
- Reconnects wiring and conduit
- Power-tests the system
- Verifies monitoring and performance
- Ensures code compliance and roof protection
This ensures your roofers get a clean, unobstructed surface — and your solar system goes back up safely.
Why Roofers Should Never Remove Solar Panels Themselves
Roofers are experts in roofing, not electrical systems. Removing panels without the proper training can lead to:
- Wiring damage
- Electrical hazards
- Damaged panels
- Incorrect grounding
- Incorrect mount placement
- Leaks due to improper flashing
Most roofing warranties require solar panels to be removed by a licensed solar professional.
A proper detach & reset protects both warranties at the same time:
- Your roof warranty
- Your solar equipment warranty
How a Detach & Reset Protects Your Roof
Proper roof preparation is one of the most important parts of the process. During a detach, a solar technician will:
- Inspect each penetration
- Replace worn or outdated flashing
- Reseat mounts properly
- Ensure waterproofing is done to code
- Verify proper sealing
This helps prevent leaks and ensures the roof performs as intended once the system is reinstalled.
How Long Does a Detach & Reset Take?
Timing depends on the size of your solar system, but most projects follow this timeline:
- Detaching panels: 1–2 days
- Roof replacement: Depends on roofing contractor
- Resetting panels: 1–2 days
Everything is coordinated so there’s minimal downtime and your panels get back online as quickly as possible.
Costs: What Homeowners Should Expect
Prices vary based on system size, racking type, roof material, and electrical configuration. While every project is unique, the cost typically includes:
- System removal
- Safe storage
- Flashing replacement
- System reinstall
- Electrical reconnection
- Performance testing
- Monitoring verification
A professional team will always provide clear pricing and schedules before work begins.
What Happens to Your Solar Production During Roof Work?
Your system won’t produce power while the panels are detached — but this is temporary. A proper reset gets your system back online quickly with:
- Clean wiring
- Secure grounding
- Verified monitoring
- Updated flashing
Many homeowners even see improved production after the reset because old wiring or loose connections get corrected.
Can You Upgrade Your System During a Roof Replacement?
Absolutely — a roof replacement is one of the best times to make upgrades since the system is already off the roof.
Homeowners often use this time to add:
- Additional panels
- New wiring
- Critter guards
- Updated racking
- A new inverter
- Battery storage
- Monitoring upgrades
It’s more efficient and cost-effective to complete upgrades during a detach & reset than as a separate project.
