There is no published Brentwood price list for removing and reinstalling solar panels. The figures below come from three published sources, one of which is Southern California. They show the shape of the numbers so you can sanity-check a quote. They are not a quote, and the contractor who sees your roof sets the price.
Read this first
Roofing is a separate cost and is not included in these figures. A roofer's quote does not necessarily include moving the panels. See solar panel removal for a roof replacement.
Published price ranges
| Source | Scope | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Fixr (opens in a new tab) | National. Last updated Jan 31, 2025 | $200–$300 per panel to disconnect, remove and reinstall, with inspection. Typical total $2,800–$4,800. |
| Helios Energy Global (opens in a new tab) | A Southern California contractor. Verified Sep 2026 | $250–$350 per panel, covering storage, new flashing and mounting hardware, reinstall, recommissioning and a production check. Roofing is quoted separately. |
| HomeGuide (opens in a new tab) | National. Last updated Jun 26, 2024 | $4,000–$10,000 to remove a 20-panel system. It prices disconnecting, removing mounts and reinstalling as separate lines. |
The ranges differ because the sources describe different scopes, and because one is a contractor in another region. A higher quote is not necessarily a worse one if it includes new flashing, storage, a permit and a production check. A lower quote that leaves those out is not comparable.
What that adds up to
| Panels | Fixr ($200–$300 per panel) | Helios ($250–$350 per panel) |
|---|---|---|
| 2–8 (partial detach) | Not published | About $500–$2,800 (published) |
| 10 | $2,000–$3,000 (published) | $2,500–$3,500 (calculated) |
| 20 | $4,000–$6,000 (published) | About $5,000–$7,000 (published) |
| 30 | $6,000–$9,000 (published) | $7,500–$10,500 (published) |
What moves the price
- Panel count and layout. More panels and more separate arrays mean more time.
- Roof type and pitch. Helios says tile adds expense and time, and the sources agree that steeper roofs cost more.
- Age of the system. Helios says systems more than ten years old can add 25–40% to removal time.
- New flashing and mounting hardware. Some quotes include it, some do not.
- Storage. Panels stored on site or at a warehouse.
- Permits and inspection. Who pulls the permit and what fees apply. See permits.
- Coordination with the roofer. Whether the solar contractor and the roofer are one contract or two.
- Ownership. On a leased or PPA system the provider may do or approve the work. See leased solar.
How to compare quotes
- Ask for the price per panel and the total, itemized.
- Check what is included: removal, storage, new flashing and hardware, reinstall, recommissioning, a production check and the permit.
- Ask who is responsible if a panel is damaged and who stands behind roof attachments afterward.
- Ask for the schedule, including how long the system will be off.
- Get the contractor's license number and verify it at cslb.ca.gov (opens in a new tab).
- Compare the same scope. A quote for removal only is not comparable to one for removal and reinstall.
A note on the sources
One California source, California Rate Relief, a private referral service, states that no California agency or research lab publishes removal prices and that a fair quote is one that itemizes the job (article (opens in a new tab)). That matches what we found. See the full list on the disclaimer and cost sources page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to take solar panels off and put them back on?
Published ranges are roughly $200–$350 per panel for removal and reinstall (Fixr, national, and Helios Energy Global, Southern California), which works out to about $4,000–$7,000 for 20 panels. HomeGuide gives $4,000–$10,000 for removing a 20-panel system. Roofing is extra. See the table above.
Does the roofer's quote include removing the panels?
Not necessarily. Some roofers coordinate the solar work and some do not. Ask in writing what is included and who the responsible licensed contractor is.
Who pays if a panel breaks during removal?
That depends on the contract. Ask each contractor before you sign, and get the answer in writing.
Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?
Scope. Quotes differ on whether they include new flashing and hardware, storage, a permit, a production check, and the number of panels and arrays. Compare itemized quotes for the same scope.
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.