Why the roof under your panels matters more than the panels
Most solar panels are built to produce power for 25 years or more. A typical asphalt shingle roof on the Jersey Shore lasts somewhere around 18 to 25 years, depending on the product, the attic ventilation and how much salt wind it takes. If the panels went on a roof that was already halfway through its life, the roof gives out well before the array does.
Every mount that holds the racking is a hole through the roof. Those mounts are flashed and sealed, and when they're done well they hold up for years. But aging shingles around them crack, granules wash off, and the sealant dries out. A leak under a panel is also hard to spot, since you can't see the shingles and the water can travel along the deck before it shows up on a ceiling. By the time a stain appears, the plywood around that mount may have been wet for months.
Signs your roof should be replaced before the panels go back up
If you're thinking about adding solar, or your existing array is due for service, these clues suggest the roof should come first.
Bare or curling shingles
Shingles that have lost their granules, curled at the edges or cracked across the tabs are near the end of their life. Covering them with panels only hides the problem for a few more years.
Stains near the array
Ceiling or attic stains under the panel area often mean a mount, a wire entry or the shingles around them are letting water in. A roof inspection can trace it.
Soft spots in the deck
If the roof feels spongy underfoot, or the attic shows dark, delaminated plywood, the deck needs repair. Mounts need solid wood to hold the racking firmly in high wind.
A roof over 15 years old
When the roof is already past the middle of its life, replacing it before solar goes on usually costs less than paying to remove and reinstall the array a few years later.
Repeated wind damage
Shingles that keep blowing off after nor'easters often have failed seal strips. Wind can also catch under panels, so a sound roof beneath them matters even more.
Who to call first: the solar company or the roofer
Start with your paperwork. If you own the system outright, you decide who removes and reinstalls it. If it's leased or covered by a power purchase agreement, the solar company usually owns the panels and has rules about who can touch them. Some send their installers to do the removal; others allow an outside contractor as long as they're notified first. Call them before you schedule anything, and ask what they need from you.
Then call us. We'll look at the roof, confirm whether it needs replacing or just repairs around the mounts, and give you a timeline. Our solar panel removal and reinstall work fits around whatever the solar company requires, and we keep the gap between removal and reinstall as short as the weather and the roof allow.
How a reroof under solar usually unfolds
Every house is different, but most jobs follow this order. Weather and the solar company's schedule are the two things most likely to move the dates.
| Stage | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | Roof inspection, solar contract review, choosing shingles, scheduling the removal | 1 to 3 weeks ahead |
| Array removal | System shut down, panels and racking removed, labeled and stored safely on site | 1 day for most homes |
| Reroof | Tear-off, deck repair, underlayment, ice and water barrier, flashing, new shingles | 1 to 3 days |
| New mounts | Fresh flashed mounts set into the new roof at the racking layout | Part of the reroof or the next day |
| Reinstall and restart | Racking and panels reinstalled, system checked and turned back on | 1 to 2 days, then any inspection the job needs |
Choosing roofing that outlasts the array
Since the panels will sit on this roof for decades, it makes sense to pick a roof that can keep up. For most homes that means a quality architectural shingle such as GAF Timberline, Owens Corning Duration or CertainTeed Landmark, installed with the full set of components each maker lists for that shingle line. Manufacturers' warranties generally require their starter strip, underlayment and ridge cap on the roof, plus correct ventilation, so it pays to follow the system rather than mixing brands.
Some homeowners go a step further with metal roofing. Standing seam panels can carry solar with clamps that attach to the seams, so the racking needs far fewer holes through the roof. It costs more upfront, but it's worth discussing if you plan to keep the house and the array for a long time. Our post on what a roof replacement costs around Toms River gives realistic ranges for both.
Questions to settle before your panels come down
A few answers up front prevent most of the delays we see on solar reroofs.
- Do you own the system, lease it, or pay under a power purchase agreement?
- Does the solar company require its installers for removal and reinstall?
- Will removal affect monitoring or any production terms in your solar contract?
- Where will the panels be stored during the reroof, and who covers them from weather?
- Is this a good time to move, add or remove panels on a different roof face?
- Who handles the electrical restart and any inspection the job requires?
- Do you have photos of the system before removal for your records?
Thinking about solar but haven't installed it yet
If you're still shopping for solar, have the roof looked at before you sign. A roof with only a few years left will cost you a removal and reinstall sooner than you'd like. Replacing it first, or at least repairing the decking and flashing under the planned array, lets the panels sit on a sound roof for their whole service life. Give us a call at (732) 419-1462 and we'll tell you honestly how much life your roof has left before the installers arrive.
Reader questions
How long are solar panels typically off the roof during a reroof in Toms River?
On most homes the panels are down for about three to seven days. Removal takes a day, the reroof takes one to three days depending on size and deck repairs, and reinstall plus restart takes one to two more. Rain, solar company scheduling and any required inspection can stretch that, so we plan the dates with you and the solar company before starting.
Should new shingles go under the whole roof or just the section with solar?
Usually the whole roof. Shingles that age together wear out together, so replacing only the solar section leaves you with older shingles nearby that need replacing in a few years anyway. New shingles also rarely blend perfectly with weathered ones beside them. If the other faces are clearly in good shape, we'll say so, and a partial job can make sense.
Can adding solar later cause leaks on a roof we just replaced?
It can if the mounts aren't flashed correctly, so ask the solar installer how they seal each attachment. Flashed mounts that tuck under the shingle above shed water far better than ones sealed only with caulk. If you're reroofing now and plan to add solar soon, tell us, and we can talk through deck repairs and layout before the new shingles go on.
