Re-Roofing With Solar Panels Installed - A Plain-English Guide
Last verified: September 2026
If a roof under solar panels needs replacing, the panels have to come off and go back on — a coordinated project between your roofer and your solar company. Here's what that involves, and how to avoid it. Rather have a hand thinking through your timing? My number is (330) 200-8042.
Re-Roofing With Solar Installed, at a Glance
If a roof with solar panels on it needs replacing, the panels must be removed and reinstalled — a project coordinated between your roofer and your solar company. This guide explains what that involves, what it typically adds in cost and scheduling, and why planning your roof's timing up front is the simplest way to avoid it altogether. There's a printable page-by-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 What does 'remove and reinstall' mean for solar panels?
The panels come off, the roof underneath gets replaced, and the panels go back on and get resealed at every attachment — sometimes shortened to R and R in conversation.
2 Who handles removing and reinstalling the panels?
Your solar company, working alongside a licensed electrician for the wiring, and your roofer for the roofing itself. It takes coordination between both.
3 Does this cost extra?
Yes, it adds real cost and scheduling on top of an ordinary reroof. Get a written, itemized estimate from both companies rather than guessing at a number.
4 How can I avoid this altogether?
Plan your roof's timing up front. If your roof is already getting older when you're considering solar, reroofing first is often the simplest path.
5 Where do the panels go while the roof is being redone?
Somewhere safe and protected, arranged ahead of time by your solar company — ask them directly how they plan to store and protect your panels.
6 Will this affect my warranties?
It can, depending on the companies and paperwork involved. Get clear, written answers from both your roofer and your solar company before work begins.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Whether you're planning a first solar install with an eye on your roof's age, or facing a surprise reroof with panels already up, I'm glad to help you think through the timing and the paperwork, with no stake in either sale. $99 flat for a visit, 30-day come-back-free.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).