Solar panel systems are durable and can last for about 30 to 35 years, which will help you save a lot on your electricity bills.
Because of the long lifespan of the solar panel system, it is advisable to re-roof before installation of the solar panels.
To reduce the cost of removing and reinstalling your solar panels for a roof replacement. This brings the question, does any company offer free roof replacement with solar?
Most solar installation companies do not offer roofing services. Only a few solar companies, such as Semper Solaris, offer these services. And in exceptional cases, they offer free roof replacement with solar panels. However, homeowners may still have to buy roofing materials themselves while the re-roofing is free, which helps in reducing the cost of roof replacement with solar panels.
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Do Companies Replace Roofs With Solar Panels for Free?
There is no such thing as a free roof replacement with solar panels. Some solar installation companies advertise free solar panels, but this does not mean the panels are completely free.
Most solar installation companies use the term ‘free solar’ when advertising solar lease or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
These types of agreements mean that the solar companies will install solar panels on your roof for free, but you will pay for the electricity they generate, and the company pays you utility.
Under such agreements, the sole solar system owner is the solar installation company.
However, solar installation companies that offer solar lease or power purchase agreements profit by selling you the electricity they generate much cheaper, which helps you save a lot on utility bills.
In some cases, the solar lease or power purchase agreements include the replacement of your roof if your roof is not in a suitable condition for solar installation.
Other solar companies offer you solar systems and all running costs, including roof replacement, without upfront cash, but you, in turn, pay them a certain amount of money monthly.
This way, you gain the advantage of solar system ownership without paying money upfront.
Can I Replace My Roof If I Have Solar Panels?
Roofers can not work around solar panels. Therefore your solar panels will have to come down for your roof to be replaced.
Suppose you have solar panels installed on your roof, and you need to replace the roof.
In that case, you will have to call your installation company or a professional to uninstall and dismount the solar panels before you can replace your roof.
Roofers are not trained or skilled enough to handle solar panel removal. Therefore, you should get a professional to handle the process efficiently.
Also, to avoid damaging the solar panels during uninstalling and dismounting the panels.
Solar panel systems can last more than 25 years, so replacing your roof before installing them is best.
That will save you the cost of uninstalling and reinstalling your solar panels because of roof replacement.
In addition, some solar installation companies partner with a roofing company to help homeowners get discounts on their roof replacements before solar panel installation.
The cost of uninstalling and reinstalling solar panels is the same as the initial cost of installation.
Therefore, it is advisable to call an expert to inspect and determine if your roof is fit for solar installation or if it needs to be replaced before installing solar panels.
To avoid spending double because of roof replacement after solar panel installation.
Do Solar Panel Companies Own Your Roof?
When you buy solar panels from a solar company and pay for installation, you are the sole owner of your roof, the solar panels, and the power generated.
The solar company does not own your roof or the panels, but when you enter a lease agreement with a solar company, they might own your roof or not, depending on the terms of the agreement.
When you enter a lease agreement with a solar company, the company takes charge of purchasing and installing solar panels on your roof, which generates electricity and sells it to you.
In turn, the company pays you utility for the power it generates. Here, the company is the sole owner of the panels and may or may not own your roof.
However, they will have control over your property, affecting your house insurance and mortgage.
However, you can also rent your roof to a solar company to install solar panels, and you will be paid for the electricity they generate. That way, you still own your roof but not the panels.
Therefore, if you are not purchasing solar panels by yourself but want solar panels, then you should seek legal advice before signing any agreement with a solar company.
Is My Roof too Old for Solar?
If your roof is less than 10 years old and in good condition, it is not too old for solar system installation.
But suppose your roof is more than 10 years or is nearing the expiration of its lifespan.
In that case, you should consider inviting an expert for a roof inspection to see if the roof is still in good condition for solar system installation.
Solar panel systems are durable and can last longer than your rooftop. Therefore, you should know the status of your roof first before you begin the installation of solar panels.
If your roof is more than 10 years old or is nearing the expiration of its lifespan, then it is advisable to replace the roof before installing solar panels to save costs.
Because roofers can not work around solar panels, when you install solar panels on an aging roof and it becomes due for a replacement, you will have to uninstall and reinstall the solar panels, which will cost you more money.
Therefore, you should replace your roof before installing solar panels.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove and Reinstall Solar Panels?
The average cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels for roof replacement is between $1,500 – $6,000 for residential properties.
However, this depends on the size of your roof and the number of solar panels.
Typically, it will cost around $200 – $300 per panel for removal and reinstallation of the solar panels, making it a total of $1,500 – $6,000 for 14 to 16 solar panels.
Most people remove and reinstall their solar panels for common reasons such as roof repair or replacement, relocating to a new home, and repairing racks or other parts.
For either reason, the average cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels remains the same.
Here is a table that shows the average cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels for various numbers of solar panels.
| Number of Solar Panels | Average Cost for Removal and Reinstallation |
|---|---|
| 1 panel | $200 – $300 |
| 8 panels | $1,600 – $2,400 |
| 10 panels | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| 12 panels | $2,400 – $3,600 |
| 16 panels | $3,200 – $4,800 |
| 20 panels | $4,000 – $6,000 |
| 24 panels | $4,800 – $7,200 |
| 30 panels | $6,000 – $9,000 |
Summary
Solar systems can last for about 25 to 30 years, which helps homeowners save a lot on utility bills.
Because of the long lifespan of solar systems, it is advisable to re-roof before installing solar panels on them to avoid the cost of removing and reinstalling the solar panels for roof replacement.
The average cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels is between $1,500 – $6,000 for residential properties.
