Roof Replacement Under
Solar Panels.

The solar-coordination add-on typically runs $3,000–$8,000 on top of the roof replacement itself — covering panel de-mount, temporary safe storage, and reinstall after the new roof is down. The exact number depends on panel count, panel wattage/size, mounting system type, and electrical/conduit complexity. For a typical Delaware home with 20–28 panels, plan on $4,500–$6,500 for the solar portion plus the standard roof replacement cost. Total project: $15k–$28k typical, higher for complex arrays or premium shingle upgrades.

Technically you can roof around the panels, but we don’t recommend it and most solar manufacturers won’t warranty it. The shingles underneath the panels can’t be replaced, the penetrations can’t be properly reflashed, and you end up with two different roof ages on the same house. Full removal + reinstall is the right way — even if it adds $3k–$8k to the project.

Two paths. (1) Your original solar installer — we coordinate scheduling. Most solar installers offer de-mount/re-mount as a service. We handle the roof portion, they handle the panels, and we line up the days. (2) A trusted solar partner we work with — if your original installer is out of business, unreachable, or quotes unreasonably, we bring in a local DE-licensed solar company we’ve worked with before. Either way, you get one point of contact (Jim) for the whole project.

Not usually — but it depends on who does the work. If your original installer or a DE-licensed solar contractor handles the de-mount and re-mount, your panel and inverter warranties stay intact. If an unqualified handyman touches the electrical, you may void coverage. We only coordinate with licensed solar contractors for exactly this reason. We also document the condition of each panel before removal so there’s no dispute if any are damaged.

Standard single-family Delaware home: 3–4 working days total. Day 1: solar crew de-mounts all panels, caps the conduit, and stores the panels safely on-site or in a secured trailer. Day 2 (sometimes Day 3): Diamond State crew does the full roof tear-off + replacement. Day 3 or 4: solar crew re-mounts the panels on new flashing, reconnects electrical, and commissions the system. On simpler arrays we can compress to 2–3 days with tight scheduling.

Yes — your system is offline for the 3–4 days panels are down. On a 20-panel system in Delaware, you’ll lose roughly $15–$30 in production over that window (at current net-metering rates). That’s negligible compared to the cost of not replacing a failing roof. We schedule solar removal for low-production weather windows where possible (overcast/cold seasons).

Very common — solar mount penetrations are one of the top leak sources on 10–15 year old arrays. When we remove the panels, we can see every penetration clearly and either reseal the new flashing properly or relocate mounts entirely if the existing pattern didn’t respect the rafters. Proper flashing around solar mounts is why you don’t re-roof around the panels.

No. Diamond State specializes in roofing. We don’t install new solar systems — that’s a licensed electrical trade. But we’re one of the very few Delaware roofers who will coordinate de-mount and re-mount of existing solar arrays for roof replacements. Many roofers decline this work, which is exactly why we built the service.

Usually no. A failing roof under solar panels causes bigger problems than waiting: interior water damage, mold, sheathing rot, and emergency repair costs. If your roof is at end-of-life and your solar array is 5–10 years in, replace the roof now. The solar system will work fine on the new roof for its remaining warranty period and probably longer.

We pull the roofing permit. The solar de-mount/re-mount is typically covered under the original solar install permit (which is still on file with your jurisdiction). If any new electrical work is required (rare) or the mount pattern changes substantially, a supplemental electrical permit may be needed — the solar contractor handles that, not us.