Most re-roof advice assumes you own your panels. If you do not, the first call is to the company that does. This guide explains the difference and the questions to ask. It does not tell you what your agreement says. Only your agreement does.
Owned, loan-financed, leased and PPA
| Arrangement | Who owns the panels | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Owned (cash) | You | Nothing ongoing for the equipment |
| Loan-financed | You | Loan payments to a lender |
| Lease | The solar company | A fixed monthly payment to the solar company |
| PPA (power purchase agreement) | The solar company | A per-kilowatt-hour rate for the power the panels produce |
Large residential solar companies, including Sunrun and Tesla, have offered lease and PPA structures. Your contract names which one you have.
Why it matters for a re-roof
If someone else owns the equipment, your agreement may say who is allowed to remove, move or work on it, and who pays. That can decide whether an independent contractor can take the job at all. Do not hire anyone to touch a leased system until you have read the agreement and called the provider.
How to tell which you have
- Look at your solar paperwork for the words lease, PPA, loan or purchase.
- Check what you pay. A monthly payment to a solar company is a lease. A rate per kilowatt-hour is a PPA. A payment to a lender is a loan.
- Ask the company that installed the system, or the one that sends you the bill.
What to ask your provider
- Do you handle removal and reinstall for roof work, and is there a fee?
- Who pays for it: you or the provider?
- Do you use your own crews, or approved contractors? Can I use mine?
- How long will the system be off, and does that change what I pay during that time?
- Do you need anything in writing from me or my roofer first?
- What happens to any warranty or production guarantee during and after the work?
Where this site fits
This site passes requests to independent local contractors. If your system is leased or on a PPA, the provider may need to do or approve the work, so a contractor from here may not be able to take the job. Tell us which you have on the full form and we will pass it along. For the roof side of the job, read solar panel removal for a roof replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove leased solar panels for a re-roof?
Check your agreement and call the provider first. It may say who is allowed to remove the panels, and the provider may do or approve the work.
Who pays for detach and reset on a leased system?
It depends on the agreement. Ask the provider who pays, and ask for the answer in writing before the roofer starts.
Will my leased system be off during the roof work?
Panels that are removed are not producing. Ask your provider how long the system will be off and whether it affects what you pay.
How do I know if I lease or own?
Look for lease, PPA, loan or purchase in your paperwork, and check whether you pay a solar company monthly, per kilowatt-hour, or a lender.
Cost ranges and technical notes on this page are general information from the sources named, not a quote or professional advice. Prices vary by roof, array and contractor; get a written quote for your home. See the disclaimer and cost sources.