Don't Let Your Roofer
Touch Your Panels.
It seems convenient — have your roofer pull the panels while they're up there. But solar panels carry live DC electricity even when the inverter is off. There's no breaker that cuts DC power from the panels during daylight. An uncertified person handling your panels can cause serious electrical hazards, damage components, and void every warranty you have.
What goes wrong when roofers remove solar panels:
- Panel and inverter warranties voided immediately — most require certified installers
- Improper DC disconnection creates arc flash and fire risk
- Panels dropped or cracked — thousands in replacement costs
- Wiring reconnected incorrectly — system underperforms or fails
- Roof penetrations resealed improperly — leaks under your new roof
- No system testing or recommissioning after reinstall
Solar Panels Are Always Live
During daylight, your solar panels are generating up to 600V DC — regardless of whether the inverter is on or off. Only someone trained in DC electrical safety should be handling live panel connections.
Warranty Language Is Strict
Check your panel and inverter warranty documents. Nearly all require that removal and reinstallation be performed by a certified solar professional. One sentence from your roofer voids years of coverage.
Roof Penetrations Matter
Every racking mount is a sealed roof penetration. We reinstall with properly torqued hardware and new flashing seals — ensuring your brand-new roof stays watertight under your solar array.
Every Reason to Remove
& Reinstall in Illinois
Roof Replacement
Your roof has reached end of life and needs full replacement. We remove your array before the roofing crew starts and reinstall once the new roof is complete and cured.
Storm or Hail Damage
Illinois hail storms are brutal. Insurance-covered roof replacements after storm damage often require panel removal as part of the claim. We coordinate directly with your insurer and roofer.
Roof Leak Repairs
A leak under or near your solar array requires panel removal to access the damaged area. We remove only the panels needed, your roofer makes the repair, and we reinstall.
System Upgrades
Adding more panels, upgrading your inverter, or reconfiguring your array layout. We remove the existing system, make the changes, and reinstall the upgraded configuration.
Home Additions & Remodels
Adding a dormer, skylight, HVAC equipment, or modifying the roofline requires clearing the affected area. We relocate or temporarily remove panels as needed.
Home Sale or Relocation
Moving and taking your solar system with you, or the buyer wants the panels removed. We professionally decommission and package the system for reinstallation at a new location.
How We Handle
Your R&R Project
We coordinate everything — you just make sure your roofer is ready.
We visit your property to assess your system size, panel brand, racking type, roof pitch, and access conditions. You get a written quote with a clear timeline — usually within 24 hours of your request. We also note any existing wiring or hardware issues so there are no surprises during reinstallation.
We communicate directly with your roofing contractor to align schedules. We remove the panels the day before (or morning of) the roofing crew starts, so they have a clean, unobstructed roof surface to work on. We're also available to answer any roofing-specific questions about the mounting footprints.
Our certified crew safely shuts down the system, disconnects all DC wiring using proper arc-flash safety procedures, and removes panels from the racking. All panels are labeled, organized, and stored safely on-site or in a secure location. Racking is removed and the roof is left clean and ready for your roofer.
With the panels and racking fully removed, your roofing team has complete, unobstructed access to your entire roof surface. New shingles, membrane, or metal roofing is installed without any solar obstacles. We stay in contact throughout so we're ready to return the moment they're done.
Once your new roof is complete, we reinstall the racking using new stainless steel mounting hardware and fresh flashing seals — never reusing old penetration hardware on a new roof. All panels are reinstalled in the original configuration, wiring is reconnected and inspected, and all roof penetrations are properly sealed and watertight.
We power the system back on, verify all strings are producing correctly, confirm inverter communication, and test production against your pre-removal baseline. We don't leave until the system is performing as it should. You receive a written recommissioning report for your records and insurance documentation.
Storm Damage? Your Insurance Should Cover This.
When Illinois hail or wind damages your roof and triggers an insurance claim, solar panel removal and reinstallation is typically a covered line item under your homeowner's policy. Many Illinois homeowners don't realize this — and end up paying out of pocket unnecessarily.
- We provide detailed written documentation for insurance adjusters
- Itemized removal and reinstallation quotes formatted for claims
- We coordinate scheduling directly with your roofing contractor
- Recommissioning report included for your claim file
- We've worked alongside insurance-funded roof replacements across Illinois
Original Installer Out of Business? We'll Handle It.
The Illinois solar market has seen many installers come and go. If the company that installed your system is no longer operating, you're not stuck. SolarAbility services all solar systems regardless of who installed them — we're familiar with every major panel brand, inverter, and racking system used in Illinois.
- We service all panel brands: LG, SunPower, Panasonic, REC, Q-CELL, and more
- All inverter brands: SolarEdge, Enphase, SMA, Fronius, and others
- All racking systems: IronRidge, Unirac, SnapNrack, and custom installs
- No system documentation required — we assess on-site
- We can identify and fix any pre-existing issues during reinstallation
Illinois Solar Pros.
Not a National Hotline.
When you call a national solar company for removal and reinstallation, you're talking to a call center that dispatches a subcontractor you've never met. When you call SolarAbility, you're talking to the people who will actually be on your roof — local, licensed, and personally accountable for the work.
- NABCEP-certified PV installation professionals on every job
- ICC Licensed #21-0505 — fully licensed and insured in Illinois
- We work with your specific roofer and insurance company, not around them
- New mounting hardware and flashing seals on every reinstall — never reuse old penetration hardware
- Full system recommissioning and written test report included
- Family-owned — we answer our own phone at (312) 312-5337
NABCEP Certified
PVA-060921-032707 — the highest credential in the solar industry.
ICC Licensed · #21-0505
Fully licensed and insured in Illinois for solar and electrical work.
All of Illinois
Chicago metro, suburbs, Quad Cities, Springfield, Peoria, Champaign, and downstate.
Roofer-Friendly
We coordinate directly with roofing crews. Many roofers refer us specifically because we make their jobs easier.
We Make Your
Solar Jobs Easy.
Many Illinois roofing contractors partner with SolarAbility specifically because we handle the solar side completely — so you can focus on roofing. We coordinate scheduling around your crew, stay out of your way, and deliver a clean roof the moment we're done.
- We contact the homeowner directly — you just send us the job info
- We remove panels the day before your crew starts
- We're on-call to answer your team's questions about mounting footprints
- We reinstall the same day your roof is complete
- We handle all insurance documentation — takes it off your plate
- Referral relationships welcome — many roofers send us repeat business
- 📍 Job address
- 📅 Your estimated start date
- 📞 Homeowner contact (or we can reach out to yours)
- 📸 A photo of the roof if you have it
That's it. We handle the rest.
- ⚡ Quote: within 24 hours of contact
- 📐 Assessment: within 2–3 business days
- 🔧 Removal: scheduled around your crew
- ✅ Reinstall: same day roof is complete
Hail Hit Your Roof?
Your Insurance Covers This.
Illinois severe weather seasons bring hail storms that damage thousands of roofs every year. If your roof is being replaced through an insurance claim, solar panel removal and reinstallation is a covered line item — but only if you use a certified solar professional and document it correctly.
Insurance Claim Documentation
We provide itemized quotes and post-completion invoices formatted specifically for insurance adjusters. Every line item is clearly documented — removal labor, reinstallation labor, new hardware, recommissioning.
Direct Insurer Coordination
We'll work directly with your insurance adjuster to confirm scope and pricing before work begins. We know what adjusters need and how to document solar work so your claim isn't delayed or disputed.
Panel Damage Inspection
Hail can damage solar panels directly — micro-cracks, delamination, and broken glass are common after large hail events. During removal we inspect every panel and document any hail damage for your claim.
Most homeowner's insurance policies require that solar panel removal and reinstallation be performed by a licensed, certified contractor for the work to be reimbursable. DIY removal or using an uncertified handyman can invalidate the solar portion of your claim. SolarAbility is NABCEP-certified and ICC-licensed — the credentials your insurer requires.
Every Question About
Solar Panel R&R. Answered.
What Illinois Homeowners
Say About Us
"Jonathan recognized the problem, got the part ordered through SolarEdge, and had everything fixed fast. Very prompt and professional. From quote to finished was a remarkably short amount of time. His price was fair."
"He is HONEST, thorough, respectful, follows the law and takes no shortcuts. In my 76 years I can't think of another consumer experience that is close to this one. #1 and no close 2nd."
"Jonathan was great to work with. The work is professional and expertly done. Would call again."