Solar Panel Removal & Reinstall for a Re-Roof
Solar work appears on 5% of Sacramento County re-roof permits, and the number is climbing as the region's early solar installations meet roofs that have reached the end of their life. If your roof is 20 years old and your panels are 8, the roof underneath has to come first.
How it sequences
- The array is disconnected and removed, and racking comes off the deck
- Panels are stored safely on site or off site
- The roof is torn off, repaired and replaced
- Racking is reinstalled with new flashing at every penetration
- Panels are reset, reconnected and tested for production
Who touches the panels
Detaching and resetting solar is electrical work, so it is performed by a licensed solar or electrical contractor, not by roofers. Cutting Edge General Contracting coordinates both trades on one contract so you are not managing two companies and two schedules.
Check these before you book
- Your panel warranty, and whether it requires a specific installer
- Your monitoring or lease agreement, if the system is not owned outright
- Whether the racking is reusable or needs replacing
Our published prices
Per roofing square (100 sq ft). Your price is your roof’s measured squares times the tier rate, confirmed in writing before any work.
The example uses 25 squares, the median Sacramento home re-roof in county permit records (2022–25). It is an illustration, not your price.
Common questions
- Do solar panels have to come off to replace a roof?
- Yes. Roofing cannot be installed underneath a mounted array, and working around panels risks both the roof detail and the equipment. The panels are detached, the roof is replaced, and the array is reset with new flashing.
- Will removing my panels void the solar warranty?
- It depends on your agreement. Some warranties require an approved installer to handle the detach and reset. Check the terms before booking — we coordinate with a licensed solar or electrical contractor to keep the work within those requirements.