Detach and reset for roof replacement
Solar panel removal and reinstall
Need a new roof under your solar? Wolf River Electric takes your panels down, keeps them safe and puts them back after your roofer is done. Our own licensed electricians handle the shutdown, permits, reinstall and testing, even if we did not install your system.
What solar R&R includes
Everything between panels off and power back on
Solar removal and reinstall, also called detach and reset, is more than unbolting panels. Here is what our crews do on every job:
- Shut down and lock out the system at the inverter, disconnects and main panel
- Photograph, label and map every panel, string and connection
- Remove panels, microinverters or optimizers, wiring, racking and roof attachments
- Protect and store the equipment on site or at one of our facilities
- Leave the roof clear for your roofer and coordinate the schedule with them
- Reinstall racking with new flashing sealed to the new roof
- Reinstall panels and wiring, then re-commission and test the system and monitoring
- Schedule the electrical inspection where your city or county requires one
When you need it
Common reasons to remove solar panels
Roof replacement
Shingles near the end of their life, or a reroof planned before you sell.
Storm or hail damage
Roof and panel damage after a storm, often handled through an insurance claim.
Leaks and repairs
A leak, rot or sheathing repair under the array.
Moving the array
Relocating panels to another roof face, a new building or a ground mount.
How it works
Six steps, planned around your roofer
Site visit and quote
We check the system, roof and equipment and give you a fixed written price.
Permits and utility
We pull permits where needed and let your utility know the system will be off.
Removal
Panels and racking come down, usually in one day, and are stored safely.
New roof
Your roofer replaces the roof. We stay in touch on timing.
Reinstall
New flashing, racking and panels go back on, usually in one to two days.
Test and inspect
We re-commission, check production and monitoring, and close out the inspection.
Cost
What solar panel removal and reinstall costs
National averages run about $200 to $300 per panel, or roughly $2,800 to $4,800 for a 14 to 16 panel home system (Fixr). Storage, repairs and replacement parts can add to that.
What moves the price:
- Number of panels and how the array is laid out
- Roof pitch, height and access
- Equipment type: microinverters, power optimizers or a string inverter
- Parts that are damaged or no longer made
- Whether you add panels, a new inverter or a battery while the array is down
We give you a fixed written quote after a site visit, and an itemized estimate if your insurance company is paying for the work.
Roofers and insurance
We work with your roofer and your adjuster
Tell us who is doing the roof and we will set removal and reinstall dates with them directly, so your home is not left without solar longer than it needs to be. Roofing contractors can also call us for the solar portion of their jobs.
If a storm damaged your roof, ask your adjuster about detach and reset for the solar array. We provide an itemized estimate with the line items adjusters look for.
Any system, any installer
Systems we did not install? No problem
We remove and reinstall systems from other installers, including companies that have gone out of business. That covers microinverter systems, power optimizer systems and string inverters, on shingle, metal and low-slope roofs.
If something is damaged or worn out, we tell you before reinstall and price the fix. See solar repair and maintenance for other service work.
We remove and reinstall solar for homeowners in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan and Colorado. See our service locations.
Get a removal and reinstall quote
Tell us about your system and roof timeline. We reply within one business day. Prefer to talk? Call (763) 229-6662.
FAQ
Solar removal and reinstall questions
How long does solar panel removal and reinstall take?
For a typical home, taking the panels down takes about a day and putting them back takes one to two days. The full project, including permits and the roof replacement in between, usually runs one to three weeks. We set our dates around your roofer.
Can my roofer remove my solar panels?
Disconnecting and reconnecting a solar system is electrical work. In the states we serve it needs a licensed electrician and often an electrical permit, which is why most roofers bring in a solar contractor for this part of the job.
What is solar detach and reset (D&R)?
Detach and reset, also written D&R or R&R, is the roofing and insurance term for removing solar panels before roof work and reinstalling them afterward. It is the same service on this page.
Does homeowners insurance pay for solar removal and reinstall?
When a roof is replaced under a covered claim, such as hail or wind damage, many policies include detach and reset of the solar array as part of the claim. Check your policy and adjuster. We provide an itemized estimate you can send to your insurance company.
Will removing my panels affect my warranty?
It can, depending on your panel, inverter and installer warranty terms. We document the system before removal, use manufacturer-approved attachments and flashing on reinstall, and test the system before we leave. Read your warranty or send it to us and we will check it with you.
Do you remove and reinstall systems you did not install?
Yes. We work on systems from other installers, including companies that have closed, with microinverters, power optimizers or string inverters.
Is this a good time to upgrade my system?
Often, yes. With the panels already off the roof, it costs less to add panels, replace an aging inverter or add a home battery. Ask us to price the options with your quote.