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Uninstalling and Reinstalling of Solar Panels

At Solar Bear Tampa, we try to teach all of our customers that solar panels are an investment, one that lasts for 25-30 years. Over the decades, your solar panels will not only help you save on your home electric bill, but also will help you make a difference in the environment. But 25-30 years is a long time, and lots of things can happen in that amount of time. Sometimes, your roof will need repairs. Or maybe your personal style will change, and you decide to remodel your home. In either of these situations, if your solar panels have been installed on your roof, you will need to uninstall those solar panels to make the appropriate repairs or changes, and then reinstall them when your construction work is finished. 

As a reminder, we recommend that solar panels be installed only on new, sturdy roofs with no apparent signs of damage or future damage. Uninstalling and reinstalling solar panels can be costly, and if you can avoid it, we recommend that you do so. 

However, if you find that uninstalling your solar panels is inevitable, we can help you through the process. Here’s what to expect. 

As with any home improvement work, the first thing you’ll need to do is schedule a time with a solar expert so that they can power down your system safely. Then the expert or team of experts will start the work of removing the panels and the hardware before removing the wiring from your roof. As they uninstall, they will fill any holes or gaps in your roof left behind from the panel installation with roofer’s cement. The removal process should take a few days, depending on the slope and condition of your roof. 

Then you will be free to repair or adjust your roof however you like. This timeline will depend on your roofing contractors. Before starting any repair work, we recommend that you let your roofing team know that you’ll be uninstalling and reinstalling solar panels as part of the renovation or repair process. After your work on the roof is complete, your solar experts will find a time to rewire your roof, reinstall your panels, and turn your solar power back on. 

There you have it—while it seems daunting to uninstall and reinstall solar panels on your roof, the process is pretty straightforward, especially when you have the Tampa Bear Solar team on your side. 

Some other things to keep in mind before scheduling a solar panel uninstall and reinstall: 

  • You’ll need a dry, safe place to store your solar panels during roof repair. 
  • If your panels are in good condition (and stored safely), you’ll likely be able to re-use your old solar panels, hardware, and sometimes even wiring, which will save you money. 
  • You should consider replacing your panels if they are almost thirty years old—a solar expert can help you decide whether you should reuse or replace your existing panels. 
  • While you technically can uninstall and reinstall your solar panels yourself, this can be dangerous, risky, and expensive. We highly recommend contacting the experts. 

Set up an appointment with Solar Bear Tampa today!