Solar Panels and Your Roof in Arizona: Re-Roofing, Repairs and Detach & Reset

2026-10-04 · 9 min read

Rooftop solar is everywhere in the Valley, and sooner or later the roof under those panels needs work. Whether you are planning solar, already have it and need a re-roof, or have a leak under the array, this guide explains how panels are removed and reinstalled, what it costs, what to check in a lease, and how to time the work.

Why solar and roofing schedules collide

A solar system is meant to stay on the roof for decades. The roof under it may have far less time left. On a Valley tile roof, the tile can last 50 years or more, but the underlayment beneath it usually lasts 15 to 25 years in our heat. Asphalt shingles here typically last 20 to 25 years. Foam roofs need their coating renewed on a regular schedule.

So a home that got solar on a 12-year-old tile roof may need that underlayment replaced while the panels still have most of their life ahead. To do that, the panels have to come off, the roof work gets done, and the panels go back on. In the trade this is called detach and reset, or D&R.

The cost and hassle of D&R is why the timing of roof work and solar matters so much. The best time to deal with an aging roof is before the panels go up.

If you are planning to add solar

Before you sign a solar contract, find out how much life your roof has left. A solar installer's site survey may note obvious problems, but it is not a roof inspection, and solar installers are not usually checking the underlayment under your tile.

As a rough guide:

Tile roof with original felt underlayment that is 12 years old or older: strongly consider replacing the underlayment under the planned array first, or the whole roof.
Shingle roof older than about 12 to 15 years: consider replacing it before the panels go on.
Foam roof with a worn coating: recoat before installation, so the area under the panels starts with a full coating.
Any roof with active leaks, soft deck or repeated repairs: fix it first.

Doing the roof first means one set of mounts, no D&R cost later and a fresh roof under panels that will sit there for decades. If a full re-roof isn't in the budget, replacing the underlayment only on the slopes that will carry panels is sometimes a reasonable middle path on tile.

How detach and reset works

On a typical re-roof or repair with solar, the work goes in this order:

The system is shut down and the panels are disconnected and removed, along with rails and wiring as needed.
Panels are stored safely on site, away from foot traffic and wind.
Mounts are removed or left in place depending on the roof work.
The roof work is done: new underlayment, flashing, tile, shingles or coating.
New or re-flashed mounts are installed and sealed into the new roof.
Rails and panels go back on, are reconnected and the system is tested.

We offer solar panel detach and reset during a re-roof or repair for $150 per panel. That is part of our scope, so the roofing and the panel work are coordinated by one company instead of two schedules. Adding panels, moving the array to a different layout, or new electrical work is separate solar or electrical work with its own requirements.

Mounts are where solar roofs leak

A solar array puts dozens of holes in a roof. Each mount is a potential leak, and the mounts, not the panels, are the usual leak points on a solar roof.

On shingle roofs, mounts are usually lag-bolted into rafters through a flashing that slips under the shingle course above. Problems come from mounts sealed only with caulk, flashings installed on top of the shingles instead of under them, or bolts that missed the rafter.

On tile roofs, the common approaches are tile hooks that pass between tiles or replacement-tile mounts with their own flashing. Either way, the tile around the mount has to be cut or modified, and the underlayment beneath is penetrated. Cracked tiles from installers walking on the roof are common, and a cracked tile exposes the underlayment to sun.

On foam and flat roofs, mounts need to be sealed into the foam and coating so water can't track along the post.

When we reset panels, the mounts are flashed into the new roof according to the roofing system and the mount manufacturer's instructions. That is one of the main advantages of doing roof and solar work together: the waterproofing at each mount is built in, not added on.

Leased panels and power purchase agreements

If you don't own your system outright, read your lease or power purchase agreement before scheduling roof work. Many agreements say the solar company owns the equipment and must be notified, or must do the removal itself, before anyone else touches the panels. Some charge a fee for removal and reinstallation, and scheduling with the solar company can take time.

Before roof work starts, find out:

Whether you are allowed to use your roofer for detach and reset, or whether the solar company must do it.
What notice the solar company requires and how long their scheduling takes.
Whether removing panels affects the panel or monitoring warranty.
Whether any production guarantee pauses while the system is down.

If you own your system, check the warranty on the panels, inverters and racking for any conditions on who may remove and reinstall them. Keep your original installation documents handy, since they show the layout and equipment.

Fire code pathways and permits

Building codes require open pathways on roofs with solar so firefighters can reach the ridge and ventilate a fire. Under the International Residential Code, which most Valley cities adopt with local amendments, typical rules include at least two 36-inch-wide pathways from eave to ridge on separate roof planes, a 36-inch pathway serving each roof plane with panels, and clear setbacks along the ridge of 18 or 36 inches depending on how much of the roof the array covers.

Why this matters for a re-roof: an older array may have been installed under an earlier code. Reinstalling the same panels in the same layout is usually straightforward, but if the array is being changed, moved or expanded, current rules apply, and they may limit where panels can go.

Permits vary by city. Most Valley cities exempt a like-for-like residential re-roof from a building permit, but rules for solar are separate. In Mesa, for example, listed solar systems installed by an Arizona-licensed contractor are exempt from a construction permit, while new meters or circuits still need an electrical permit. Check with your city's building department about the reinstall, especially if anything about the system changes.

HOAs and solar

Arizona law says a homeowners association cannot prohibit the installation or use of a solar energy device. An HOA can adopt rules about where panels go, but those rules can't prevent installation, impair the system's function, restrict its use or adversely affect its cost or efficiency.

That protection is about the solar system. Your new roof is a different matter. If the re-roof changes the material, profile or color, your HOA's architectural rules probably apply, and you may need approval before work starts. Reinstalling existing panels in the same place usually doesn't need a new solar approval, but if the layout changes, check your HOA's guidelines.

What the work costs and how long it takes

Detach and reset costs $150 per panel with us. A 20-panel system would add $3,000 to a roof job; a 30-panel system would add $4,500.

The roof work itself is priced as usual. As a reference, tile underlayment replacement in the Phoenix area usually runs about $10,000 to $22,000, a shingle replacement about $8,000 to $15,000 and a full tile replacement about $15,000 to $35,000. Prices vary with size, pitch, access and material. Our roof cost calculator gives a closer range.

Panel removal and reinstallation add time to the schedule, since the panels come off before the roof work and go back on after. A typical shingle re-roof takes 1 to 3 days and tile 3 to 5 days, weather and size permitting, plus the D&R work on each end. Expect your system to be offline during that window.

If you are in a lease that requires the solar company to do the work, their scheduling may add weeks. Start that conversation as soon as you know roof work is coming.

Repairs and leaks under existing panels

Not every leak under solar needs a full re-roof. A leak at a single mount, a cracked tile under the array or a failed flashing can often be fixed by removing a few panels, making the repair and resetting them.

Signs of trouble under the array:

Ceiling stains in rooms below the panels, especially after monsoon storms.
Broken tile visible at the edges of the array.
Debris, leaves or bird nesting under the panels, which can block drainage and hold water against the roof.
Panels that sit unevenly or rails that have shifted.

When you call about a leak under solar, tell us how many panels are on the roof and whether the system is owned or leased. That lets us plan the inspection and tell you up front how much D&R the repair is likely to need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to remove and reinstall solar panels for a new roof?

With us, solar panel detach and reset during a re-roof or repair is $150 per panel, so a 20-panel system adds $3,000 to the roof job. That covers taking the panels off, storing them on site, resetting them on new or re-flashed mounts and reconnecting the system. Adding panels or changing the layout is separate solar work.

Should I replace my roof before installing solar?

If your roof has less than about 10 to 15 years of life left, usually yes. On a tile roof, that often means the underlayment, which typically lasts 15 to 25 years in Valley heat. Doing the roof first avoids paying to remove and reinstall the panels later and gives the mounts a fresh roof to seal into.

Can my roofer remove leased solar panels?

It depends on your lease or power purchase agreement. Many agreements require you to notify the solar company before anyone touches the system, and some require the solar company to do the removal itself. Read your agreement and call the solar company before scheduling roof work, so you know the rules, any fees and how long their scheduling takes.

Do solar panels damage tile roofs?

They can. Installing mounts means modifying tile and penetrating the underlayment, and foot traffic during installation often cracks tile. Poorly flashed mounts are a common leak source. A careful installation with proper flashings limits the risk, and having the roof checked after solar is installed or serviced catches cracked tiles before they expose the underlayment to sun.

Can my HOA stop me from installing solar panels in Arizona?

No. Arizona law says an HOA cannot prohibit the installation or use of a solar energy device. It may set rules on placement, but those rules can't prevent installation, impair the system's function or adversely affect its cost or efficiency. Your HOA can still review roof material and color changes made during a re-roof.

How long will my solar system be off during a re-roof?

Plan on the system being offline from the day the panels come off until they are reset after the roof work. A shingle re-roof typically takes 1 to 3 days and tile 3 to 5 days, weather and size permitting, plus time to remove and reinstall the panels. Leased systems that require the solar company to do the work may take longer.