Solar Detach & Reinstall
Solar detach and reinstall (often called D&R) is the process of safely de-energizing a solar system, removing the panels and racking, allowing roof work to be completed, then remounting, rewiring and recommissioning the array on the new roof.
What is included in a complete D&R
- Pre-work documentation of panel condition, layout and production baseline
- Proper system shutdown at the inverter and AC disconnect
- Panel removal, labeling and protected storage
- Racking and existing flashing removal
- New flashing and mounts installed into the new roof, not reused
- Panel remounting in the original layout unless a better layout is agreed
- Wire management and conduit re-secured to code
- System restart and production verification against the baseline
Where D&R projects go wrong
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Reused mounts and flashing
New roof, old flashing. This is the leading cause of leaks around arrays after a replacement.
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Panels left off too long
Every day the array is down is production you paid for and are not getting.
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No production baseline
Without a pre-work output record, nobody can prove whether the system came back correctly.
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Damaged panels discovered late
If nobody photographed the array before removal, a scratched or micro-cracked panel becomes an argument.
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Sloppy wire management
Wiring left resting on the new shingles abrades the surface and shortens roof life.
What it costs
D&R pricing is driven primarily by panel count, roof pitch and access, racking type, and whether the inverter or wiring needs work while the array is down. We price it as a line item within the roofing proposal so you can see it clearly rather than having it buried. We do not publish a flat per-panel number, because a 12-panel array on a walkable 5/12 pitch and a 34-panel array on a steep two-story are not the same job.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does solar detach and reinstall cost?
- It depends on panel count, roof pitch, access, and racking type. We quote it as a visible line item in your roofing proposal after reviewing your system, rather than applying a flat per-panel rate that would be wrong for most homes.
- How long will my solar system be off?
- On a coordinated single-team project, typically the duration of the roofing work plus a day on each end. Projects split between two companies often leave arrays down far longer, purely because of scheduling.
- Who removes solar panels before a roof replacement?
- It should be someone qualified to de-energize and recommission a grid-tied system. That is often the original solar installer, but they may no longer service your area or may be out of business. We perform this scope as part of the roofing project.
- Will my panels go back in the same place?
- Yes, unless we identify a reason to change the layout, such as an obstruction, a code clearance issue, or damaged panels that need to be consolidated. Any change is discussed with you before reinstall.
Keep reading
Need a D&R quoted with your roof?
Send us your panel count and we will scope both together.
Or call (972) 999-8388