Removing a solar system from a pre-owned home

[WattWatcher]

What services are available besides A GENERAL CONTRACTOR to remove an underperforming solar system from a home that is being sold by the owner? Is there any value to the used components, i.e., the solar panels that are still performing well, or the inverter, or even the battery? Here is a scenario, the home inspector has deemed the existing roof has 5 years left and recommends replacement, there are solar panels covering portions of the roof, and this would mean remove the solar panels, install a new roof, reinstall the solar panels ($$$). Is there an after-market service where I could just offer the entire (used) solar system to a company that would be willing to remove it at no expense, if they can keep all the components at no cost?

[solar pete]

Hi WattWatcher and welcome to Solar Panel Talk.

I don't know of anyone who does that service, I would imagine the roofing contractors will take it down when doing the roof, if you don't want the old system sell the bits on ebay or craigslist.

As always someone around here may chime in, cheers

[organic farmer]

In Maine, the only contractors who are legally allowed to touch solar panels are the licensed solar installers.

The last time I checked Maine has four of them. All four refuse to touch any system where they are not selling you the components. If you source panels from somewhere else, they refuse to touch your system. If it is an older system, they refuse to touch it.

Electricians are forbidden from touching any solar panels, or components.

In terms of hiring a professional, you are in a predicament.

The only person who can legally remove them is the homeowner.



You might be able to convince a Solar installer, to sell you a new system with the caveat that they must remove the old system first.

[bcroe]

I think that falls under 3 and 41 on my list, REASONS TO GROUND MOUNT SOLAR PANELS.
Bruce Roe

[JamesO]

What services are available besides A GENERAL CONTRACTOR to remove an underperforming solar system from a home that is being sold by the owner? Is there any value to the used components, i.e., the solar panels that are still performing well, or the inverter, or even the battery? Here is a scenario, the home inspector has deemed the existing roof has 5 years left and recommends replacement, there are solar panels covering portions of the roof, and this would mean remove the solar panels, install a new roof, reinstall the solar panels ($$$). Is there an after-market service where I could just offer the entire (used) solar system to a company that would be willing to remove it at no expense, if they can keep all the components at no cost?

There may be some value in the equipment, but I wouldn’t assume a company will remove it for free just to keep the panels. The biggest issue is usually the labor, roof access, transport, and liability rather than the resale value of used panels.

Since this is an older thread, I’d also get a couple of current quotes from solar removal/reinstallation companies rather than relying on the prices or services mentioned here. Ask specifically for a “solar removal only” quote and separately ask whether they purchase or take ownership of used equipment.

If the system is still operational, I’d document the panel/inverter/battery models, age, condition, and remaining warranties. That information will make it much easier to determine whether the equipment has any meaningful second-hand value. In many cases, the battery and inverter are more complicated to reuse than the panels because of compatibility and warranty issues.

If the house is being sold, I’d also check whether the buyer actually wants the system. Depending on the financing/ownership arrangement, transferring the existing system may be considerably cheaper than paying someone to remove it and then dealing with disposal or resale afterward.