Roof and solar

Roof and Solar: $200 to $600 a Panel to Reroof (2026)

Taking a solar array off for a new roof and putting it back costs $200 to $600 per panel, from EnergySage's 2026 national figure to Forme Solar's 2026 Southern California quotes.

Typical price range$200 to $600 per panel
EnergySage, 2026How we get prices

Most houses with solar on shingles will need that job while the panels still work: shingles last 15 to 40 years, panels about 25 to 30. These guides cover the roof side of solar, by job and by roof type.

Updated October 11, 2026

Remove and reinstall for a new roof

Panels off, roof done, panels back on.

$200 to $600 per panel

Roof replacement with solar

Both bills, and the order the work happens in.

Roof $7,500 to $14,000

Roof leak under the panels

Usually a mount. Who pays when the installer is gone.

$1,200 to $1,500 average

Is my roof good for solar

Age, direction, pitch, shade and weight.

Guide

Solar and roofing companies

One contractor or two, and what to ask.

Guide

Solar on a metal roof

Seam clamps, no new holes, a roof that outlasts the array.

Guide

Solar on a flat roof

Ballast, tilt, drainage and the membrane.

Guide

Solar on a tile roof

Replacement mounts, breakage and underlayment.

Guide

Permanent removal

Take the system off for good and repair the roof.

$1,500 to $5,000

Why roofs and solar go together

Every array sits on a roof that will need work during the array's life. Asphalt shingles last 15 to 40 years (Fixr) and panels about 25 to 30 (Department of Energy), so most houses with solar on shingles will need a reroof while the panels are still working. That job needs a solar crew as well as a roofer, and if the original installer has closed, nobody is on file to call.

Asphalt shingle15 to 40 yrs; 3-tab 10 to 15 (Fixr)
TPO membrane15 to 20 yrs (Fixr); 7 to 20 (Angi)
EPDM membrane25+ yrs (Angi)
Tile underlaymentAbout 25 yrs; 15 to 20 in desert heat (Association Reserves)
Metal roof40 to 70 yrs (Solar.com); 50+ (Metal Roofing Alliance)
Clay or concrete tile50 to 100+ yrs, tile itself only
Solar panelsAbout 25 to 30 yrs (DOE)
0255075100 years
How long each roof lasts against the array on top of it. Ranges as published by the sources named; the solar bar is in orange.

The order of operations

  1. Before

    Paperwork

    Lessor sign-off if leased, electrical permit, monitoring account in your name, photos of the layout and per-panel output.

  2. 1 to 2 days

    Detach

    Solar crew shuts the system down, labels and removes panels, racking and wiring, and stores them.

  3. Roofer

    New roof

    Roofer tears off and replaces the roof. Some manufacturers set a wait before reinstall (Tesla: 30 days).

  4. 2 to 3 days

    Reset

    Solar crew installs new flashing at every mount, the racking, the panels and the wiring.

  5. After

    Inspect and restart

    Inspection where the city requires it, then recommissioning and a check that output matches the photos.

Detach and reset, start to finish. Day counts from Fixr's removal and reinstall guide (January 2025); Tesla wait from Tesla's removal and reinstallation page.

If the system is leased or on a PPA, the lessor has to approve before anyone removes the panels. For storm or insurance-funded work, see the storm guide; the call lines on this site are not for claims.

Leak, damage or a roof that needs work? Call the roof line. A local roofing company answers and quotes its visit fee before anything is booked.

Call a roofer(646) 956-2211

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to remove and reinstall solar panels for a new roof?

$200 to $300 per panel in EnergySage's 2026 national figure, and $350 to $600 per panel in Forme Solar's 2026 Southern California quotes. The roof itself is a separate bill. The removal and reinstall guide lists every published range.

Should I replace my roof before adding solar?

Usually, if the roof is near the end of its life. Asphalt shingles last 15 to 40 years (Fixr) and panels about 25 to 30 (Department of Energy), so an old roof under a new array means paying for a detach and reset later.

How long does a reroof with solar panels take?

About 1 to 2 days for the solar crew to take the array off, then the new roof, then 2 to 3 days to reinstall and recommission, according to Fixr. Tesla sets a 30-day wait after a reroof before it reinstalls its own systems.

Who removes the solar panels when the roof is replaced?

A solar contractor, not the roofer, in most cases. Some companies do both jobs; many roofers bring in a solar crew. Roofing and solar companies explains the two setups.

Know where the water comes in, or what the roof needs? Call the roof line and describe it.

  1. 1Call the line
  2. 2It rings a local company
  3. 3They give you the price
Call a roofer(646) 956-2211

Before you book

  • License numberAsk for it, then check it with the state board.
  • Written priceGet the visit fee and the job price in writing before work starts.
  • Proof of insuranceAsk for the certificate, especially for roof, tree and electrical work.

Sources (6)

  1. Fixr: Cost to shingle a roof (2026-01-30)
  2. US Department of Energy: Replacing your roof? It's a great time to add solar (2026-05-15)
  3. Fixr: Cost to remove solar panels to replace roof (2025-01-31)
  4. Tesla: Solar panel removal and reinstallation (checked 2026-10-11)
  5. EnergySage: Do You Need A Roof Replacement With Solar Panels? (2026-05-15)
  6. Forme Solar: Solar Company Closed? Southern California Service Help (2026-10-06)
A roof leak, roof repair or a new roof, including panels off and back on for roof work

Talk to a roofer who serves your area

Have the address, the roof material and its rough age, and where you see water or damage. Say if solar panels are on the roof. The company will quote its inspection or visit fee before anything is booked.

Free call to an independent company in your area that takes this kind of work.

Call a roofer(646) 956-2211Other lines
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