Maybe it’s time to replace your roof. Or perhaps you have plans to sell your home and you want to bring your solar panels along with you (yes, you can do this!). Or maybe your solar panels need to be repaired or a cleaned. Whatever situation you find yourself in, there are times when you need to consider solar panel removal. Use this page to learn more about solar panel removal — when it’s a good decision to remove solar panels, what the process looks like, who to call, and how much it costs to get it done.
How Much Does it Cost to Remove Solar Panels?
First of all, what is it going to cost to remove solar panels from the roof? On average, the cost to remove solar panels from a roof in 2024 is $300 to $1,000 per panel. The exact price for your home solar panel removal depends on the number of solar panels, whether you lease vs. own, and the damage the solar panels have incurred over the years.
If you are leasing the solar panels, be aware that you might be charged a penalty for removing the panels before the end of your contract. A lease is usually around 25 years, according to LandGate Resources. Whether the lease is up or it is terminated early, the solar developer is responsible for doing the actual removal.
If you own your panels, solar panel removal will cost around $300 to $1,000 per panel. If the panels or glass need to be repaired, expect to spend an additional cost, somewhere between $200 to $1,000, depending on the extent of the damage. In some instances, the cost can run higher than $1,000 per panel removed.
You may also need to budget for the following costs when removing solar panels:
- A full removal that includes disconnecting the system from the utility main line will increase the cost by about $100. Taking down the mounting hardware raises the price, too.
- To ship solar panels to a new location, such as when you are moving, you should budget around $200.
- If your roof requires repairs to patch holes at the installation site, a small roofing repair may cost you $600 or more, while a total roof replacement can cost $20,000 or more.
Here’s a breakdown of costs for removing solar panels. The average home has 20 to 25 panels.
| Task | Cost | When Does This Apply to Me? |
|---|---|---|
| Uninstall and disconnect panels | $50 to $75 per panel | Whenever you are fully removing solar panels |
| Remove mounting hardware | $25 per panel | Whenever you are fully removing solar panels |
| Reinstallation and reactivation | $50 to $75 per panel | Only if you are planning on replacing or relocating your solar panels. |
| Roof repair | $150 to $1,500 for minor repairs, up to $7,000 for major repairs | Only if roof has been damaged |
| Roof replacement | $10,000 to $20,000 | Only if roof has been badly damaged or reached the end of its lifespan |
| Shipping panels to new location | $150 to $400 | Only if you are moving the panels to a new house. Final number depends on how many panels and how far they need to be moved. |
Do Your Solar Panels Need To Be Removed?
If a recent storm or other weather event has damaged the glass in your panels, it’s important to quickly determine if they need to be replaced or repaired. Make an appointment with your solar installer to come out and assess the damage. They may decide to make a partial repair by removing the broken glass, or solder together cracked surfaces without taking the panels down. In fact, it may be possible to repair the glass or other pieces without removing them entirely from your roof.
When to Remove Your Solar Panels
There are absolutely warning signs that your panels are failing, have failed, or otherwise need to be removed. Here’s what to keep an eye out for.
- If you’re noticing that your panels are not creating as much energy as they used to, or your electric bill goes up, it’s a sign that they’re not working as efficiently as they used to.
- If your community experiences a major storm, check to make sure that the panels haven’t received storm damage. If they have, you will want to look into replacing the panel — this does not mean the entire system needs to be replaced.
- Do you see strange discoloration on the panels? This may be a sign that there’s uneven temperature distribution due to corrosion.
When to Keep Your Solar Panels
Solar panels are durable, not to mention a pricey investment. Here’s when to consider keeping your panels instead of solar panel removal.
- Solar panels last 25 to 30 years, so they’re built to withstand tough weather and wear and tear over the years. If you notice a crack on a panel or other minor damage after a bad storm, check to make sure that it’s not just aesthetic. However, if it bothers you, you can certainly get a repair or replacement without needing to fully remove your solar panel system. Check if any damage that your panels have sustained are covered under your warranty.
- Solar panels need to be cleaned about twice a year, although this will vary if you live in a place that gets a lot of rain or has a lot of dirt and dust. By keeping them clean, you’re ensuring your solar panels are working at their best. They do not need to be removed to be cleaned.
How to Remove Solar Panels
Removing solar panels is not a project you can quickly learn from watching a how-to video. Although solar panels are relatively lightweight (between 33 to 44 pounds on average), they are extremely delicate and contain electrical wiring that could cause major damage if improperly handled. Not to mention, this all requires you to do the work while balancing on your roof! This is a job best left to the professionals.
For smaller jobs, such as having your panels cleaned or repaired, the removal may be as simple as unbolting the panels from their mounting device and unplugging the connecting power wires below. Then, the panels will have to be remounted to the roof and reconnected.
In the case of a full removal, the solar circuit must also be disconnected from the main line, a task which can complicate the work and increase your labor fees. Again, these fees will be worth it knowing an expert is doing it.
If you are removing the panels to sell your home, you’ll need the installer to remove the mounting hardware that holds the panels upright. Once they remove these pieces, it’s possible that you will expose openings where the initial installer cut into your roof to add the mounting device. These will need to be patched to keep the roof from leaking. Typically, that means calling in an additional contractor who specializes in roofing.
Solar Panel Removal Companies
Any solar installer or solar company should be able to remove panels for you in order to complete the work safely. They will also carry insurance that allows them to cover any damage that occurs in the event of an accident.
However, if the company you purchased from initially is no longer in business, or you prefer to work with another company for whatever reason, any electrician with an NABCEP PV installation certification can also do the work. You can search NABCEP’s database of installers to locate one operating in your area.
Here’s what you should look for in a removal company:
- Many companies tout their experience in installing solar power, but less are adept at removing them. If the company who installed your panels does not do removal, ask for recommendations.
- Ask the removal companies for a quote to compare. If a company is significantly lower or higher than other quotes, ask why.
- Find out about their certifications and licenses. This will vary from state to state and some municipalities even require a permit to have panels removed or reinstalled.
- In the process of researching, make a note of how you feel talking to the company and how their customer service fares. If you’re underwhelmed from the start, that’s not a good sign.
Save yourself the time and effort finding a qualified solar panel company in your area, and let Modernize help. Our network of top notch solar panel professionals are well-equipped to install, remove, and assess the performance of your home solar panels.
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