Brentwood, CA · East Contra Costa
Removing Solar Panels for a Roof Replacement in Brentwood, CA
When solar panels sit over the part of the roof being replaced, they have to be detached first and put back afterward. Here is how that works, who does what, and what to ask before you sign anything.
Cited cost ranges · No obligation
Where homeowners usually start
A roofer's quote just arrived
It mentions removing the solar, or it does not. Find out whose job that is before you accept it.
The roof is aging or leaking
A leak near the array, or shingles that are worn out, usually means the panels have to move for the repair.
Solar was added years ago
The roof under the panels is as old as the roof around them, and it can only be reached with the panels off.
The system is leased or on a PPA
The provider may control who can touch the panels. Read the [leased solar guide](/resources/leased-solar-removal-and-reinstall/) first.
Why the panels have to come off
Solar panels are bolted to racking that is attached through the roofing to the structure below. To replace or repair the roofing underneath, the panels over that area have to be disconnected and detached, and the racking and its attachment points usually have to be removed too. Contractors call this a detach and reset, or removal and reinstall. After the new roofing is down, the attachments are re-flashed and the system is put back.
The order of work on a re-roof
- A qualified solar or electrical contractor shuts the system down and disconnects it.
- The panels, and usually the racking, are removed, labeled and stored.
- The roofer replaces or repairs the roof.
- The racking and roof attachments are reinstalled and flashed. Whether any hardware is replaced is the contractor's call.
- The panels are reconnected, the system is tested and production is checked. Where a permit applies, an inspection may follow (see permits).
This is for planning, not for doing it yourself
Rooftop work and live electrical equipment are for licensed contractors. This site explains the process so you can ask better questions. It does not give instructions.
Roofer, solar company, or one contract?
How a detach and reset is arranged varies by company. Some roofing companies coordinate the solar work or bring in a partner, some expect you to hire a solar contractor yourself, and some solar companies offer the removal and reinstall as a service. Do not assume the roofing quote includes the solar. Ask each contractor the same questions:
- Does your price include removing and reinstalling the panels, or only the roof?
- Who is the licensed contractor responsible for the solar work, and what is their license number?
- Who is responsible if a panel cracks during removal or storage?
- Who is responsible for a leak at a roof attachment after the work, and for how long?
- Who pulls the permit, and is an inspection required before the system is switched back on?
- Will the work be done on a schedule that keeps the system off for as little time as possible?
How long the panels are off the roof
It depends on the size of the array and the roofing material. One Southern California contractor, Helios Energy Global, publishes about 2–4 weeks for a full re-roof with asphalt shingles and 3–6 weeks with tile, and less than a business day for a small partial detach (September 2026). That is one company's estimate, not a promise from this site or a Brentwood contractor. Ask for your own schedule in writing.
What can go wrong, and what to get in writing
- Damage to panels during removal, storage or reinstall. Ask who is responsible for replacing one.
- Leaks at roof attachments. Ask how they are flashed and who stands behind them.
- A system that does not come back up cleanly. Ask for a production check at the end and what happens if something does not work.
- Delays between the roofer finishing and the solar crew returning. Ask about scheduling before you commit.
- Warranty questions. Roofing, panels, inverters and workmanship may each carry a separate warranty. Ask each contractor, in writing, whether the work affects any of them.
What it costs
Published prices for removal and reinstall run from a few thousand dollars to ten thousand or more depending on how many panels there are and what the job includes. The roofing is a separate cost. The cost guide lists the sources and the arithmetic. Your price comes from the contractor who sees your roof.
Check any contractor, including one you find here
- Ask for the contractor's CSLB license number and look it up at cslb.ca.gov. The CSLB site also explains when a California contractor license is required.
- Get the quote in writing, itemized: the number of panels, removal and storage, new flashing and hardware, reinstall, a production check, the permit, and the schedule.
- Be wary of large deposits or cash-only terms. Ask who is responsible if a panel is damaged during removal and who stands behind roof attachments afterward.
- If the roof and the solar are separate contractors, ask who coordinates the schedule and how long the system will be off.
This site is an independent referral service, not a contractor. Your request goes to an independent local solar contractor, who gives the quote and does the work. How this works
Common questions
Do roofing companies remove and reinstall solar panels?
Some do, some bring in a solar partner, and some will not touch the panels at all. Ask the roofer whether the quote includes the solar work and who the responsible licensed contractor is. If it does not, a solar contractor can quote the detach and reset separately. A request here is passed to an independent local contractor.
Why is detach and reinstall needed?
The panels and racking are attached through the roofing. The roofing under and around them cannot be replaced while they are in the way, so they come off and go back on afterward.
How long are the panels off the roof?
It varies with array size and roof type. One Southern California contractor publishes about 2–4 weeks for a full re-roof with asphalt shingles and 3–6 weeks for tile (Helios Energy Global, September 2026). Ask your contractors for a written schedule.
Can I take the panels off myself to save money?
We do not recommend it. It involves work on the roof and live electrical equipment, and it can create warranty and insurance questions. Use a licensed contractor.
What if my system is leased or on a PPA?
Your agreement may limit who can remove or move the panels, and the provider may do or approve the work. Read the leased solar guide and call your provider first.
Talk to a local solar pro
Solar on the roof and a job to get done?
Call now or send a 30-second request. You'll be connected with an independent local solar contractor for a quote.