Moving Solar Panels for Roof Work in Southlake
When hail or age catches up with the roof under your array, the panels have to come down before the roof can be fixed. Here is how that works.
Schedule Your Roofing Inspection Today
Fill out the information below and we’ll reach out to complete your estimate as soon as possible!
The removal and reinstall process
Assess the roof and array
A roofer inspects the roof around and under the panels and notes the condition of the array with photos.
Plan the shutdown
Before anything is lifted, confirm with your solar provider who shuts the system down and how.
Take panels down
Panels and racking are removed and labeled.
Fix the roof
The damaged section is repaired or the whole roof is replaced, with new underlayment and flashing.
Re-mount
Mounts are set into solid decking with fresh flashing, and the panels go back in place.
Final review
The roof and array are checked once more before the job closes.
Why this comes up often in Southlake
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 51 hail reports of 1.75 inches or larger within 10 miles of Southlake from 2015 through 2024, with large hail in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024. The largest, 4.25 inches, fell on June 11, 2023. When a storm bruises the shingles under an array, those shingles cannot be replaced until the panels move.
Age plays a part too. Half of the homes in Southlake were built before 1997 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Panels added to older roofs will likely need to come off at some point so the roof can be replaced. Knowing that ahead of time helps you plan the timing and the budget. For the hail side, see hail damage roof repair in Southlake.
Leaks under arrays are a second reason. Water around a mount or under a panel is hard to find and harder to fix with the array in place. Lifting the panels in that section lets the crew see the decking, replace the flashing and seal the roof properly instead of guessing.
What to watch for during the job
Settle panel storage
Decide ahead of time where the panels will be kept off the roof and who looks after them.
Mount flashing
Old flashing should be replaced, not reused, when the roof is redone.
Wiring
Cables and connectors should be secured so they do not rub on the roof.
Panel condition
Cracked or hail-damaged panels should be noted before they go back up.
Clean-up
Old flashing, fasteners and debris should be cleared from the roof and yard before the crew leaves.
Paperwork worth checking first
Your homeowner's policy, if storm damage is part of the job.
Any lease or contract that covers the solar system.
Records showing when the roof and panels were installed.
Photos of the array and roof before work begins.
Any notes from the original installer about mounts and layout.
Plan the roof and panels together
If the roof is close to the end of its life, replacing it while the panels are already off can save a second removal down the road. Our guide on what happens if you wait too long to replace a roof shows what is at stake, and roof replacement in Southlake covers the options.
GemSco handles solar panel removal and reinstallation along with roof repair and replacement, with 20+ years of experience and free estimates. Learn more about solar panel removal and reinstallation or our work in Southlake.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if the roof under my panels was damaged by hail?
Look at what you can see: dents on vents, gutters and the panel frames, and granules in the downspouts. Shingles under the array are hidden, so an inspection that checks around the edges and the visible roof gives the best clue. Full confirmation may require lifting panels.
Should I replace my roof while the panels are off for a repair?
If the roof is aging or has hail damage across several slopes, it is often worth pricing a full replacement during the same visit. Removing panels twice adds cost and time. An inspection helps you decide whether a repair or a replacement makes more sense.
Will my panels work the same after reinstallation?
When panels are handled carefully, stored properly and reconnected correctly, they should work as before. Ask for photos of the panels before and after, and have any cracked or damaged panels noted so you know their condition before they go back up.
More Roofing Help in Southlake
Roofing in Southlake, TX
City overviewRoof Repair in Southlake
Learn MoreRoof Replacement in Southlake
Learn MoreStorm & Hail Damage in Southlake
Learn MoreRoof Inspection in Southlake
Learn MoreCommercial Roofing in Southlake
Learn MoreGutters in Southlake
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation in Southlake
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall Near Southlake
Solar Removal & Reinstall in Trophy Club, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Colleyville, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Grapevine, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Keller, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Bedford, TX
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in North Richland Hills, TX
Learn MoreWe’re Here to Help!
GemSco Roofing & Solar serves Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. We’re family owned and fully licensed and insured.