There were 39,000 solar installations in Arizona in 2023, and the Grand Canyon State now produces enough solar energy to power 1.2 million homes. If you have made this smart upgrade to your home, you may be wondering what to do when your roof needs repair.

Solar panels are sophisticated –not to mention expensive – pieces of technology fixed to your roof, so it is clear that any repairs will need to be undertaken with caution. We have put together this handy guide to help you navigate roof repairs while protecting your home’s solar power system.

Effective Collaboration: Talk to a Roofing Contractor and Solar Panel Provider

Solar panels are too big of an investment to take any chances with. Removing the panels could invalidate the warranty due to the risk of damage in the process. As soon as you become aware your roof needs repairs, arrange a meeting between your roofing contractor and solar panel provider.

Set out the scope

At the start of the meeting, make sure everyone understands the scope of the project. Do you just need a few shingles replaced, or does your roof need major repairs? Would it be better to replace the roof entirely? This discussion can ensure decades of peace of mind.

Small repairs may only require one or two panels to be removed. Getting the opinions of both sets of experts can help you see a way forward.

Discuss options

Ask the solar panel company what solution they would recommend for removing the solar array. They may be willing to provide a removal and reinstallation service themselves. Or they may have a recommended contractor that can do it without invalidating the warranty. However, you may have to accept that it will not be possible to preserve the warranty and repair your roof.

This is a good time for you and the solar panel company to ask the roofing contractor about his or her experience with removing solar panels. The solar company may agree that your preferred contractor can do the job.

Collaborating well from the outset ensures there are no nasty surprises down the line.

The Roof Repair Process With Solar Panels

Once you have agreed on a plan of action with your solar company and roofing contractor, it will probably look something like this:

  • Panel removal: Trained technicians will disconnect the panels on the damaged section and carefully remove them from the roof. They will take care to ensure the mounting points and connections are not damaged.
  • Roof repair: Your roofing team can now get to work repairing the problem and checking for any other issues that may have been hidden by the panels.
  • Panel reinstallation: Specialist technicians will carefully replace the panels and reconnect them to your solar system.

Assess Your Roof Before Solar Installation

As we have seen, roof repairs after installing a solar array can be complex. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a thorough roof inspection before installing solar panels. This gives you an opportunity to address any existing issues with the roof and make sure it is in good condition before the panels are installed.

Arizona’s climate is great for solar, but it is not always kind to roofs. So let your roofing contractor know your plans and ask him or her to carry out a comprehensive roof inspection.

This will include:

  • Checking the structure of the roof is in good condition
  • Ensuring the underlayment, which provides weatherproofing, is in good condition
  • Assessing the condition of the shingles
  • Inspecting the joins and flashing to ensure the materials are in good condition

It pays to get your roof in good condition or even install a new roof before adding a solar array. Otherwise, you will risk your warranty and damage to your panels by carrying out repairs later. Also, you may have to pay the additional costs of hiring specialist technicians to carry out the removal and reinstallation.

Overson Roofing: Repairs With Care

Roof repairs when you have solar panels can be tricky, so it pays to work with a roofing company with experience and a track record of delivering high-quality repairs.

At Overson Roofing, we know Arizona roofs like no other. With over 40 years of experience in repairing and replacing all types of roofs, our team will treat your roof with the care it needs.

Schedule a free roof estimate today by calling 480-354-2564 or filling out our contact form. We will call you back within 24 hours to arrange a visit.