Residential homes and commercial buildings have been integrating solar panels into their roofs at a rapidly growing pace in recent years. Part of the motivation has been environmental awareness, and families and businesses have been putting their global consciousness into physical practice. However, financial motives are also in play, as tax incentives and free electricity from renewable energy are alluring.
Solar panels reduce energy bills and contribute to environmental sustainability but also complicate roof maintenance and repairs in many circumstances. If you wonder whether roofers can remove solar panels, you’re far from alone. Roofers are the ones to call for inspections, maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and replacements for your roof. However, working with solar panel systems requires unique skills and certifications. Removing panels involves a level of complexity that falls well outside the scope of work that roofers normally do.
Two Different Roles
Before discussing whether roofers can take out solar panels, it’s helpful to know how the roles of two different professions play out. Roofers handle a separate series of tasks than solar panel installers do.
Roofers are primarily responsible for installing, maintaining, repairing, and replacing roofs. This involves working with different roofing materials, such as tile, metal, and asphalt. Roofers make sure a roof is structurally sound, watertight, and able to protect its underlying structure from weather elements. They also ensure your roof has proper ventilation through the attic.
On the other hand, solar installers specialize in designing, installing, and maintaining solar energy systems. They have particular knowledge of solar panel configurations and their electrical systems, and they handle the technical requirements involved with connecting a solar array to the electrical system of the building where the panels sit and service. Solar installers are usually certified by various organizations. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, NABCEP, is one of them. Certification ensures a solar installation professional is qualified to handle and install solar systems in a safe manner.
Both professionals have overlap in how their work involves being on the roofs of homes and buildings. However, removing solar panels is a unique task that typically requires the knowledge and expertise of solar installers. That’s because of the electrical wiring and components involved.
Roofers Removing Solar Panels
Technically speaking, roofers can physically remove solar panels that might be in the way of their roof work. However, it’s not always the safest option. Roofers are skilled in doing roof work, but there’s more to removing a solar installation than just unscrewing bolts before detaching panels from roofs. Numerous safety protocols and electrical considerations need to be adhered to in order to disconnect a solar system properly without creating hazardous conditions or damaging the panels.
In addition, Georgia has specific regulations regarding who can install or remove solar panels. A licensed contractor, specifically an electrical contractor, is required to work on solar panel systems. This ensures that the project complies with local building and electrical codes. The Georgia Attorney General’s office emphasizes that it’s essential for homeowners to check whether the company or individual they hire for the work is properly licensed.
Voiding warranties is another potential issue. Most solar panel installations are under warranty, and the terms and conditions of these coverage policies require certified industry professionals to handle the servicing and removal. If uncertified roofers handle the panels, the warranty can be voided. The property owner would then be responsible for the financial consequences involved with future repairs or replacements.
When Is Removing Solar Panels Necessary?
Solar panel removal is necessary in a number of different situations. Roof replacement or repairs are the cases that make many homeowners or building managers wonder if roofers can remove solar panels. When a roof gets to the end of its practical lifespan, develops leaks, or suffers storm damage, removing solar panels might be necessary to physically access the roof to finish repairs or do the replacement. Roof work underneath the panels can’t be done effectively when they’re in the way.
Roof upgrades might involve installing more durable materials. Some homeowners choose to replace shingles with tile or metal. Even upgrading from older shingles to newer ones requires the solar panels to be temporarily removed for a proper roof installation.
Homeowners may also need to have solar panels removed to be relocated when they make alterations to their homes. For instance, expanding their home with a new addition or adding a second story could affect the panels’ original positioning.
Additionally, maintenance and upgrades for the solar panels can require their removal. Solar panels typically need minimal upkeep. However, they might need removal for cleaning or to replace damaged panels. Also, as solar technology advances, homeowners may want to upgrade their panels or add more capacity, which could require changes in layout and positioning.
Finally, someone selling a property might require removing the panels. A buyer might not want them in place, or they might want to put in their own installation.
The Solar Panel Removal Process
Removing solar panels involves several crucial steps. The process begins with solar panel technicians safely shutting down the system, which includes the building’s electricity and powering off the inverter. Next, they disconnect the electrical wiring that links the panels to the inverter, the municipal power grid, and the home’s electrical system. Once the wiring is disconnected, the panels can be carefully removed from their mounts. If removed correctly, the panels should remain in good condition for reinstallation. After the work on your roof is complete, your solar technician will reinstall the panels and thoroughly test the system to ensure everything works as it should.
Hire the Right Professionals for Each Job
While roofers are highly skilled at handling inspections, repairs, and replacements, removing solar panels presents a different set of challenges that go beyond typical roofing tasks. The electrical components and technical complexity of solar systems require the expertise of certified solar installers. These professionals are trained to safely disconnect, remove, and reinstall solar panels without damaging the equipment or compromising the system’s performance.
Removing solar panels is often necessary for roof maintenance, repairs, or upgrades. The removal and reinstallation process cost depends on the solar array size and whether you decide to implement solar upgrades during the project. By hiring certified installers for both the removal and reinstallation, homeowners can ensure their solar system remains in optimal condition, warranties stay intact, and safety standards are upheld throughout the process.
Your Local Roofers
At Fraser Roofing, LLC, we have served the residents of Lilburn, GA and the surrounding areas for almost two decades. We install and maintain roofs and gutters. Additionally, you can depend on us for emergency roof repairs after a storm. We will quickly get a tarp in place to protect your home and belongings. Next, we will give you an estimate for the repair and help you get the insurance paperwork started.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.