New Roof - Need to remove and then reinstall existing panels. Questions

[Ampster]

I agree that consrvation is the best return on investment. However for me there is another transition that affects my strategy. That is the sense that in the long term I want to replace my natural gas water heater with a heat pump water heater and I have already replaced my forced air heater with a heat pump A/C unit that allows me to only heat or cool the rooms that i am ocupping and I have replace my Internal Combustion Engine driven vehicles with EVs. That implies a shift in terms ofr energy consumption that i choose to address. For me the cost benefits are obvious but not so for others. My cost of producingt energy is less than I can buy it from my energy provider and I consider myself fortunate to have a oost of funds and an access to capital that makes those investments optimum for me. I also realize that is not always the case so the individual decisions will be different. My only purpose is that other readers in a similar situation can see the same benefits. I am not a tree hugger but a practical retired financial guy who loves this hobby.

[J.P.M.]

NEM3 deadline is not what is driving installations but rather the enormous rate increases by the utility companies over the past few years. Homeowners are routinely putting in 6-10 kW installations which is far greater generation than in the past. The announced 2024 rate increase of 18% by PG&E which actually understates the amounts people will pay as the hours without a significant time of day penalty keeps shrinking.

Our own electricity rates have doubled since we put in solar in 2012. Our PG&E agreement provides for them to pay us only $0.03 per kWh which they then get to turn around and sell to their other captive customers for 10 times as much. That is why we have a 3.7 kW system as the return would not have been there for us with one with greater capacity.

You can always use less electricity. There's no rate increase for what you don't buy.
There hasn't been much talk around here for some time that the most cost-effective way to cut an electric bill is to simply use less of the stuff.

One other big reason systems are getting bigger (aside from the idea that usage keeps increasing) is lower system prices.
POCO's are in business to make money, not subsidize residential PV owners who are usually well off and who can afford PV. They're also not in business to save the planet. That ~ $0.03/kWh is allegedly something close to the POCO's cost of power. If so, does it make any sense for a POCO to pay a PV owner more for a kWh than the POCO can buy elsewhere ?

[Calsun]

NEM3 deadline is not what is driving installations but rather the enormous rate increases by the utility companies over the past few years. Homeowners are routinely putting in 6-10 kW installations which is far greater generation than in the past. The announced 2024 rate increase of 18% by PG&E which actually understates the amounts people will pay as the hours without a significant time of day penalty keeps shrinking.

Our own electricity rates have doubled since we put in solar in 2012. Our PG&E agreement provides for them to pay us only $0.03 per kWh which they then get to turn around and sell to their other captive customers for 10 times as much. That is why we have a 3.7 kW system as the return would not have been there for us with one with greater capacity.

[solardreamer]

I suspect more solar companies in California would be willing do such repair work after the NEM3 deadline rush installs are done.

[Ampster]

..........

Pro roofers can advise as to whether the existing roof anchors can remain while they add new roofing. There is a real risk of roof leaks so not a trivial decision.

I am having panels being removed on two separate roofs on an investment property. They were both self installs and I am located too far away to be able to coordinate the labor to remove the panels myself. I was fortunate to find a solar installer I have known for many years to do it for me. He also recommended a roofer who fortunately had a competive bid for the roofing portion. The roofer will flash the standoffs and guarantee the roof from leaks which makes lets the guy doing the reinstall of the solar off the hook for any leaks. I won't know the details for a couple of weeks but based on what I know of one of my self installs I would guess they will replace the anchors with better equipment than I used ten years ago.

[Calsun]

I recently replaced the inverter for my system and only the original installer would take on the work. Every other solar installation company refused to touch another installers system. They have plenty of new projects and so can afford to be picky.

When I had the array installed the solar company was also the leading roofing company so I had them put together a combined bid that included the new roof and also adding a layer of insulation under the new roofing. I took the tax credit for all the work that was done.

Pro roofers can advise as to whether the existing roof anchors can remain while they add new roofing. There is a real risk of roof leaks so not a trivial decision.

[NiHaoMike]

Your quote appears to be high but devil is in the details. I would say that it is nearly impossible to sell old panels and inverters, even at 25% of the original cost. The advantage of the existing system reuse is that you do not need new permits and agreement with your electric company.

Tesla roof tiles is very expensive option but if you change to regular solar panels in Tesla estimator you would get more reasonable price.

Check if roofing companies would consider solar system removal and reinstallation alexandria va roof replacement. Electrical connection can be done by electrician but most of work you need is related to mounting and waterproofing.

thank you so much for your suggestion. really appreciate that.

[Stomp]

If you add on do you lose your nem1 status. If so make sure your plans are approved before mid April so you don't get stuck on nem3

I did lose my NEM 1.0 status, but only last year, and as far as I know it was more of an SCE thing and not about the added system. I ended up going to domestic as it’s a cheaper option than being forced to go to NEM 2.0 with its 4-9 Peak.

I’m assuming SCE will find a way to kick me off domesticity at some point in the future.

[nomadh]

So I heard back from them. To remove and replace the 30 panels would be $5,850 + presumably some parts. Seems really steep to me. Considering that I'm 6 years into the system (Sunpower panels) and I've never needed my warranty, I think I'd rather find another outfit that could do the labor for less, void my labor warranty, and take my chances. I'd still have the panel warranty. Since I'm considering running another system in parallel he indicated he might be able to knock about $1k off the cost of the remove and replace, but even $4,850 feels steep.

A little more color is that he thinks the mounting system could likely largely stay in place and not need to be removed since it's flush w/ the roof, but there would still be some parts that need replacing.

I'm thinking I'm going to hunt around for a new company here in SoCal, see what kind of parallel system I can get in place (to help to offset a plug-in car), and see what kind of bundle I can get from them that includes the new system + removal & replacement of the old.

Open to thoughts or suggestions.

If you add on do you lose your nem1 status. If so make sure your plans are approved before mid April so you don't get stuck on nem3

[Will792]

Hello. My homeowner's insurance company is making me replace my 18 year old asphalt shingle roof. I have a 14.7 kW (51 panel) solar system on it right now. I called the original installer, and they quoted me $12,629 to take off, then re-install the panels. Does this sound right? The original system was $30K to install in 2017. This would push out my payback period an additional 6 years or so, the original one was around 10 years. I should have had the foresight to replace the roof before putting the panels on but too late now.

What other options do I have? Should I get quotes from other installers? Will they touch another company's install, and what would that do to my warranty?

How easy/cheap is it to just remove the panels (and sell them)? Solar prices seem to have dropped since I got this system so I could maybe wait and buy a brand new system at a later date, maybe with a powerwall or 2, with new tax incentives I think I would get close to this price.

I clicked through the estimator for a Tesla Solar Roof that that was saying $180K with 2 powerwalls

Your quote appears to be high but devil is in the details. I would say that it is nearly impossible to sell old panels and inverters, even at 25% of the original cost. The advantage of the existing system reuse is that you do not need new permits and agreement with your electric company.

Tesla roof tiles is very expensive option but if you change to regular solar panels in Tesla estimator you would get more reasonable price.

Check if roofing companies would consider solar system removal and reinstallation. Electrical connection can be done by electrician but most of work you need is related to mounting and waterproofing.

[NiHaoMike]

You might want to start a new thread for this one.
Where are you located ?
There are more PV installers doing roof remediation either themselves ( a poor method) or sub contracting to real roofers (much better) now than in the past around here arlington roofers. I bet that's a pretty common development in most areas.

I'd suggest you contact the original installer and get any possible warranty voiding issues resolved before fooling with the array.

I sure don't what to rub it in, but your situation is pretty much a good example of why I rail about making sure a roof is inspected and repaired/remediated/replaced before an array goes over it.
A reminder to those considering roof mounted PV.

Hello. My homeowner's insurance company is making me replace my 18 year old asphalt shingle roof. I have a 14.7 kW (51 panel) solar system on it right now. I called the original installer, and they quoted me $12,629 to take off, then re-install the panels. Does this sound right? The original system was $30K to install in 2017. This would push out my payback period an additional 6 years or so, the original one was around 10 years. I should have had the foresight to replace the roof before putting the panels on but too late now.

What other options do I have? Should I get quotes from other installers? Will they touch another company's install, and what would that do to my warranty?

How easy/cheap is it to just remove the panels (and sell them)? Solar prices seem to have dropped since I got this system so I could maybe wait and buy a brand new system at a later date, maybe with a powerwall or 2, with new tax incentives I think I would get close to this price.

I clicked through the estimator for a Tesla Solar Roof that that was saying $180K with 2 powerwalls

[J.P.M.]

Yes, I may repost new. And we have already been in comms with the installing co. They use a sub solar co to handle the R& R and that pricing came from them. There is no warranty. We need a new roof, it is time. I highly doubt they are going to budge even though we should have been advised the roof was within 3 years of its end life (Had the panels on for 4 years now.) Really just looking for alternative companies to get quotes on that service. They also had a preferred roofer who has not responded so I will be moving on to find another for that as well. I have a company that does both coming for a quote next week. We are in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. We really don't want to get into a battle, we just need a roof before more damage is done.

My point was to get info from the original installing co. before having another co. remove or even touch the array. Usually, unless the installing co. does the removal/reinstall, doing so can be grounds to void any future warranty claims.

BTW - question: Just what did that $10K price include ? Another question: Who was the original solar vendor ?

As for being advised your roof needed work/renewal, if part of the site assessment noted the roof was in "fair/poor condition" I'd think that would be recognized as notification to you to enquire further about the state of the roof or take some action to address the deteriorated state. They're solar installers, not roofers. To know or be advised of the condition of a roof is the owner's responsibility. I don't think that's on the installer. Reads to me like they covered their butt.

Back to now and what to do. Before moving on to another company to do the array removal, roof repair and array reinstall, I'd contact the solar installer via certified and regular mail advising that party of your unsuccessful attempts at contacting their preferred roofer. Doing so may get them to respond. At least doing so will do no harm and may serve you well if the situation deteriorates to arbitration or worse, litigation.

[XoloMom]

Yes, I may repost new. And we have already been in comms with the installing co. They use a sub solar co to handle the R& R and that pricing came from them. There is no warranty. We need a new roof, it is time. I highly doubt they are going to budge even though we should have been advised the roof was within 3 years of its end life (Had the panels on for 4 years now.) Really just looking for alternative companies to get quotes on that service. They also had a preferred roofer who has not responded so I will be moving on to find another for that as well. I have a company that does both coming for a quote next week. We are in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. We really don't want to get into a battle, we just need a roof before more damage is done.

[J.P.M.]

I'd like to know if a lower priced option to remove and re-install in SoCal was ever found for those that posted? I have 56 panels and was quoted just over 10K. Feeling quite dumb at the moment because we didn't think to negotiate that cost when getting the system installed. The site surveyor noted the roof was in fair/poor condition so seems like they should have advised a new roof at the time( we had never seen that survey until now) But they didn't and we were all to happy to start saving money I guess. At any rate we desperately need a new roof and are looking for alternate companies to get some quotes from. Thanks!

You might want to start a new thread for this one.
Where are you located ?
There are more PV installers doing roof remediation either themselves ( a poor method) or sub contracting to real roofers (much better) now than in the past around here (San Diego). I bet that's a pretty common development in most areas.

I'd suggest you contact the original installer and get any possible warranty voiding issues resolved before fooling with the array.

I sure don't what to rub it in, but your situation is pretty much a good example of why I rail about making sure a roof is inspected and repaired/remediated/replaced before an array goes over it.
A reminder to those considering roof mounted PV.

[XoloMom]

I'd like to know if a lower priced option to remove and re-install in SoCal was ever found for those that posted? I have 56 panels and was quoted just over 10K. Feeling quite dumb at the moment because we didn't think to negotiate that cost when getting the system installed. The site surveyor noted the roof was in fair/poor condition so seems like they should have advised a new roof at the time( we had never seen that survey until now) But they didn't and we were all to happy to start saving money I guess. At any rate we desperately need a new roof and are looking for alternate companies to get some quotes from. Thanks!