Roof Replacement With Solar Panels in NJ: Who Removes and Reinstalls Them?

Short answer: yes, you can absolutely replace a roof that has solar panels on it — and if the roof is aging, you should do both as one project. The panels are carefully detached and set aside, the old roof comes off and the new one goes on, and then the panels are reinstalled on the fresh roof. The real trick is making sure one company coordinates the whole thing, so you're not stuck playing middleman between a roofer and a separate solar crew.

Can you replace a roof without removing the solar panels?

No. To properly replace the roof deck and shingles underneath, the panels and their mounting hardware have to come off first. Anyone who tells you they'll "work around" the panels is either not replacing the full roof or is cutting a corner you'll pay for later — the roof under and around the mounts is exactly where leaks tend to start.

How the removal and reinstall works

A solar panel removal and reinstall — often called an "R&R" — follows a clear sequence: the system is safely powered down and disconnected, the panels and racking are removed and stored, the roof is fully replaced, and then the racking and panels are remounted and the system is reconnected and tested. The electrical disconnect and reconnect should be done to code by a qualified electrician, and the new mounts are flashed and sealed into the new roof so the roof's warranty stays intact.

What it costs in New Jersey

The solar R&R is a separate line item on top of the roof itself. As a planning range, removing and reinstalling a typical residential system usually runs in the four figures, depending on how many panels you have, the type of racking, and whether any panels or wiring need attention while they're down. The only way to get a real number is a contractor who inspects your specific system and roof — but budget for it as part of the project rather than a surprise.

Why do the roof and solar together

If your roof is near the end of its life, replacing it after the panels are already up means paying for a removal and reinstall twice — once now, and again in a few years when the roof finally gives out. Doing the full roof while the panels are off is far cheaper over the life of the home, it protects the investment you already made in solar, and it means the panels sit on a roof that will outlast them. It also keeps everything under one warranty and one point of accountability.

What to ask before you hire

• Do you handle the solar removal and reinstall in-house, or do I have to hire a separate solar company?
• Who does the electrical disconnect and reconnect, and is it done to code?
• How are the new panel mounts flashed and sealed so they don't void the roof warranty?
• Is the full roof being replaced, or just the sections around the panels?

How Revive handles it

Most roofers don't touch solar, and most solar companies don't do roofs — which is why homeowners with panels get bounced between two crews. We handle the entire project with our own team: we remove and reinstall your solar panels, replace the full roof underneath with a GAF Master Elite system, and keep it all under one roof, one warranty, and one point of contact.

Buying or selling a home that has solar and an older roof? That's one of the most common reasons homeowners call us — a documented inspection and a clear full-roof-plus-solar quote is exactly what you need to negotiate a fair credit. Start with a free Home Health Inspection, and you keep the report either way.