If the roof under your solar panels needs replacing, the panels have to come off first. That means a licensed solar or electrical contractor shuts the system down and removes the panels and racking. The old roof is torn off and replaced, with new flashed mounts, and then the array goes back on and is tested. Done in the right order, the whole job takes days, not weeks, and you keep your roof and solar warranties intact.
This page covers how solar panel removal and reinstall works on an Arizona roof, who should do each part, what drives the cost, and what changed with solar tax credits in 2026. If you’d rather have someone look at your roof and array first, call (480) 463-3483. The on-roof inspection is free.
Do you have to remove solar panels to replace your roof?
For a full roof replacement, yes. The underlayment and roofing beneath the array have to be replaced like everywhere else, and nobody can do that with the panels in place. Leaving the section under the panels untouched is the most common shortcut. It also guarantees a leak later, because the oldest underlayment on the house ends up sitting under your most expensive equipment.
For a repair, it depends where the problem is. A cracked tile or a failed flashing at the edge of the array can sometimes be reached by lifting one or two panels. A leak under the middle of the array usually means taking off a section. We tell you which one it is after we’ve been on the roof.
How solar panel removal and reinstall works
- Roof inspection. We confirm the roof actually needs replacing and scope the work, including the area under the array, which is usually the part nobody has looked at in years.
- Warranty check. Before anyone touches the panels, check your solar installer’s paperwork. Many installation warranties only stay valid if the installer, or a contractor they approve, does the removal and reinstall.
- Shutdown and disconnect. A licensed contractor shuts the system down and disconnects it electrically. This is electrical work, not roofing work, and it should be done by someone qualified to do it.
- Panels and racking come off. Panels, rails and mounts are labelled, removed and stored safely on site. Keeping the panels shaded and stacked properly matters in Arizona heat.
- The roof is replaced. Tear-off, deck inspection and repair, new underlayment, new roofing. This is the same as any roof replacement in Arizona, and the area under the array gets the same treatment as the rest of the roof.
- New flashed mounts. The old attachment points are not reused. New mounts are installed and flashed into the new roofing (see the roof-type section below).
- Reinstall and recommission. Panels and racking go back on, the system is reconnected and tested, and monitoring is checked to confirm every panel is producing.
- Final inspections, where your city requires them for the reroof and the reinstall.
We handle the roof and coordinate the solar side, with your original installer where their warranty requires it, or with a licensed solar contractor we work with. You get one schedule and one point of contact instead of two companies blaming each other.
Roof failing under your solar panels?
We’ll inspect the roof and the area under the array, and give you one written scope covering the roof and the removal and reinstall.
Who should remove and reinstall your solar panels?
| Option | When it makes sense | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Your original solar installer | Your installation warranty is still active and requires them to do it | Lead times, and their schedule has to line up with the roofer’s |
| A solar removal and reinstall company | Your installer has gone out of business or no longer services your area, which is common with older Arizona systems | Confirm they’re licensed for the electrical work and what they warranty on the reinstall |
| Your roofer, coordinating the solar side | You want one contract, one schedule and one point of contact | Ask who does the electrical disconnect and reconnect, and who warranties the mounts |
Whichever route you take, get two things in writing before work starts: who is responsible for the roof penetrations at the mounts, and who warranties the system after reinstall. Nearly every roof-and-solar dispute comes down to a leak at a mount that neither contractor thinks belongs to them.
What solar panel removal and reinstall costs
Removal and reinstall is priced separately from the roof, and it varies more than most people expect. The main cost drivers are:
- Number of panels. This is the biggest factor, and many companies price per panel.
- Roof type. Tile is slower to work around than shingle, and every tile broken during removal has to be matched.
- System type. Microinverters or optimisers on the roof mean more components to disconnect, handle and test than a single string inverter on the wall.
- Racking and attachments. Older or discontinued racking may need new parts to go back on to code.
- Code updates at reinstall. Some older systems need electrical updates to be reconnected under current rules.
- Storage and handling for the time the panels are off the roof.
It’s worth knowing what to budget before you commit: a roof that needs replacing within a few years of a solar install means paying for removal and reinstall on top of the roof. That’s the strongest argument for replacing an older roof before the panels go on. You can spread the cost of the roof with roof financing.
Tile, shingle, foam and metal roofs under solar
The mounts are where roof-and-solar projects leak. With Arizona heat cycling and monsoon rain driven sideways, a mount that is only sealed with caulk will fail. How it should be done depends on the roof:
Tile roofs
Tile hooks attach to the deck through the underlayment, with flashing that sits under the tile course above so water is shed rather than sealed out. Tiles at each hook are cut or replaced with flashed tile. On tile roofs, removal is also where tiles get broken, so budget for matching replacements. The underlayment under the array is usually the one that matters most. See our guide to the best underlayment for tile roofs.
Shingle roofs
Each mount gets a metal flashing woven into the shingle courses, with a raised seal around the penetration. On shingle roofs, the reinstall is usually the fastest.
Foam and flat roofs
Flat-roof arrays are often ballasted or tilted on frames. Penetrating mounts on a foam roof have to be foamed in and recoated, not just sealed. Ponding around frames is the common failure.
Metal roofs
Standing-seam metal allows clamp-on attachment with no penetrations at all, which is why it’s often the best long-term pairing with solar. See our guide to mounting solar panels on a metal roof.
Replacing your roof before installing solar
If you don’t have panels yet, this is the cheapest point to fix the roof. Your array will be on the roof for 25 years or more, and the roof under it should last at least as long.
| Roof age and condition | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Under 10 years, no visible problems | Likely solar-ready. Have the underlayment and flashing checked before install |
| 10–15 years, some cracked tiles or granule loss | Borderline. Get an inspection that looks at the underlayment, not just the surface |
| 15+ years on shingle, or tile with brittle underlayment | Replace the roof first. Otherwise you’ll pay for removal and reinstall within a few years |
For more on how long each roof type actually lasts in desert heat, see the best roofing material for Arizona heat.
Solar tax credits in 2026: what changed
A lot of roof-and-solar advice online is now out of date on this point. The federal 30% residential clean energy credit (IRC section 25D) ended for expenditures made after 31 December 2025, under the tax law signed in July 2025. A roof replacement was never eligible on its own, and for most homeowners going solar in 2026 there is no federal credit left to claim on the roof or the panels. Leased systems and third-party-owned systems work differently. Your solar provider can tell you what applies to their arrangement.
Arizona still has its own residential credit for solar energy devices under A.R.S. § 43-1083: 25% of the cost of the device, capped at $1,000. It applies to the solar equipment, not the roof. Tax rules change and depend on your situation, so check with a tax professional before counting on any credit.
Add pigeon guard while the panels are off
Pigeons nesting under solar panels are a familiar problem across the Valley. Droppings and nesting material block drainage under the array and hold moisture against the roof. Removal and reinstall is the easiest time to clean out underneath and fit critter guard mesh around the array edge, because nobody has to work around installed panels to do it.
How long does it take?
Removal is usually a day. The roof replacement takes as long as it would without solar, typically days for an average home. The reinstall and recommissioning is usually another day or two once the new roof is finished. The main thing that stretches the timeline is scheduling the solar side, which is why we book it when the roof is scoped, not when the tear-off starts. Where a permit is needed, our guide to building permits in Phoenix explains what to expect.
One scope for the roof and the solar
Free inspection, a written price for the roof, and a plan for removing and reinstalling your panels.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to remove my solar panels to replace my roof?
Yes, for a full replacement. The roofing and underlayment under the array have to be replaced like the rest of the roof, which cannot be done with the panels in place. For a small repair near the edge of the array, lifting one or two panels is sometimes enough.
Who removes and reinstalls solar panels for a roof replacement?
Either your original solar installer, a solar removal and reinstall company, or a roofer who coordinates it with a licensed solar contractor. The electrical disconnect and reconnect must be done by someone licensed for that work. Check your installation warranty first, because some only stay valid if the installer does the work.
How much does it cost to remove and reinstall solar panels?
It depends mainly on the number of panels, the roof type, the system type and whether the racking or electrical work needs updating to go back on. It is priced separately from the roof, so ask for it as its own line on the estimate.
Will removing my solar panels void the warranty?
It can. Many installation warranties require the original installer or an approved contractor to do any removal and reinstall. Panel manufacturer warranties usually cover the panels themselves regardless, but check both documents before work starts.
How long are the panels off the roof?
Usually only as long as the roof replacement takes, plus a day or two for reinstall and testing. The main delay is scheduling the solar contractor, which is why it should be booked when the roof is scoped.
Can I still get the 30% federal solar tax credit in 2026?
For most homeowners, no. The federal residential clean energy credit ended for expenditures made after 31 December 2025. Arizona still offers a state credit of 25% of the cost of a solar energy device, up to $1,000. Check with a tax professional for your situation.
