Solar Roof Repair & Replacement with Solar Panel Removal in Little Egg Harbor
We provide full solar removal and reinstallation services for any clients with solar who need a full roof replacement.
If you've got solar panels on your Little Egg Harbor home and your roof needs work, you've probably already figured out this isn't a simple project. Most roofing companies can't touch your solar system, which means you're stuck coordinating multiple contractors, dealing with scheduling nightmares, and watching costs pile up before the actual roofing work even begins.
GRM Roofing handles the entire job start to finish. We safely remove your solar panels, complete your roof replacement or repair, and reinstall everything exactly as it was. No outside electricians needed. No separate solar companies to coordinate. Just one crew, one point of contact, and one straightforward process that gets your roof fixed and your solar system back up and running.
We've been serving Little Egg Harbor and Ocean County long enough to know that most homeowners don't realize their roofing contractor can't handle solar panel work until they start making calls. By that point, they're getting quotes from three different companies and trying to figure out who does what. We've seen homeowners quoted $5,000 or more just for panel removal and reinstallation before roofing costs are even factored in. Our in-house approach saves you thousands while making the whole process simpler and faster.
Once your new roof is installed, we reinstall the panels using the same brackets in the exact positions they were originally in. We mark roof trusses with chalk lines to ensure every panel is safely fastened to solid structure—nothing's getting attached to just roof decking.
After all panels are back in place, we run a complete system check to verify everything's connected properly and positioned correctly. Then our electrician returns to turn your system back on and confirm it's generating power exactly like it should be.
The whole process typically takes a few days longer than a standard roof replacement, but you're getting a brand new roof and a solar system that's been professionally handled from start to finish. No gaps in the process where things can go wrong because different companies didn't communicate properly.
Our Solar Panel Roof Replacement Process
We don't wing it when it comes to your solar investment. Before we touch a single panel, we document everything. Our team inspects your entire solar layout, creates detailed diagrams showing exactly where each panel sits, marks your inverters, and notes your complete wiring setup. This isn't just about getting panels off your roof—it's about making sure everything goes back exactly right.
A day or two before removal, our licensed electrician disconnects your panels at the breaker. This keeps everyone safe and protects your electrical system throughout the project. Then on removal day, our crew arrives with those diagrams in hand, reviews the plan, and carefully removes each panel. We place them securely on your property where they won't get damaged while we're working on your roof.
Our team knows solar systems inside and out. We understand the electrical connections, the mounting hardware, the proper sequencing to keep your system safe throughout the roofing process. When we're done, your panels go back exactly where they should be, your roof is solid, and your solar system fires right back up. No gaps in service, no damage to expensive equipment, no surprises.
We also get the local climate challenges you're dealing with. Between the salt air coming off Barnegat Bay, the occasional nor'easter that rolls through, and those humid summers that never seem to end, your roof takes a beating out here. We've been serving Little Egg Harbor and the surrounding communities long enough to know exactly which materials hold up best and which installation techniques prevent the problems we see crop up year after year. Your solar panels are a big investment—we make sure your roof protects that investment for decades to come.
Why Choose GRM Roofing for Your Solar Panel Roof Project
When you've got solar panels on your roof in Little Egg Harbor, finding the right roofing contractor gets complicated fast. Most roofers need to bring in a separate solar company or electrician to handle the panel removal and reinstallation, which means coordinating multiple crews, dealing with more scheduling headaches, and honestly, spending more money. We're different—GRM Roofing handles the entire project in-house, from safely disconnecting and removing your solar panels to completing your roof work and getting everything reinstalled and reconnected properly.
Here's what that means for you: no waiting around for different companies to show up, no finger-pointing if something goes wrong, and no inflated costs from multiple contractors marking up their services. We've worked on plenty of homes throughout Ocean County where homeowners were shocked to learn their regular roofer couldn't touch their solar setup. One homeowner in Tuckerton told us she'd been quoted nearly $5,000 just for solar panel removal and reinstallation by an outside company—before the actual roofing work even started. We handled her entire project, roof and solar, for thousands less than what she would've paid coordinating separate contractors.
What Roof Issues Require Solar Panel Removal?
Not every roof problem means you need to take down your entire solar array, but plenty do. If you're facing a full roof replacement, the panels have to come off—there's no way around it. We've also handled situations where storm damage affected areas underneath the solar panels, where aging shingles started failing in sections covered by the array, and where homeowners discovered leaks that could only be accessed by removing panels.
Here's the thing about roof problems under solar panels: they tend to go unnoticed longer. You can't see what's happening under there during your regular visual inspections. By the time you notice a leak inside your home, the damage has often spread beyond what you initially thought. We've pulled panels on homes throughout Little Egg Harbor where homeowners assumed they needed a small repair only to discover the affected area was much larger once we could actually see the roof deck.
If your roof is approaching 15-20 years old and you've got solar panels, it's worth having us take a look before problems develop. Insurance companies start getting picky about coverage once roofs hit that age range, and you don't want to be in a position where you're forced into an emergency replacement. Planning ahead gives you time to budget for both the roofing work and the solar panel handling, rather than scrambling when your insurance company sends a non-renewal notice.
Storm damage is another common reason we're removing solar panels for roof access. A heavy branch comes down during a storm, or high winds lift shingles in one section, and suddenly you need repairs underneath your solar array. The faster we can get in there and fix the problem, the less chance you have of water infiltration causing more extensive damage to your roof deck or even your home's interior.
Protecting Your Solar Investment During Roof Work
Your solar panels represent a significant investment—most systems run $15,000 to $30,000 or more. The last thing you want is damage during roof replacement that voids warranties or reduces your system's efficiency. We treat your equipment like it's our own, which means careful handling at every step and proper storage while we're working on your roof.
When we remove panels, we're not just yanking them off and leaning them against your house. Each panel gets carefully detached from its mounting hardware, inspected for any existing damage or wear, and placed on protective materials in a secure location on your property. We keep track of which panel came from which position using our detailed diagrams, so reinstallation happens in the exact same configuration.
The mounting hardware gets the same attention. We inspect brackets, rails, and all attachment points during removal. If anything's showing wear or corrosion—and out here near the coast, that's not uncommon—we let you know before reinstallation. Sometimes it makes sense to upgrade mounting hardware during a roof replacement, especially if your system is more than 10 years old. Fresh mounts on a fresh roof means everything's starting clean and should last another couple decades without issues.
We also pay close attention to roof penetrations. Every spot where mounting hardware connects to your roof is a potential leak point if not sealed properly. When we're installing your new roof, we make sure every penetration is flashed correctly and sealed with high-quality materials designed for the coastal environment. We've seen too many solar installations where the original installer didn't account for wind-driven rain and salt exposure, leading to premature failure of seals and flashing.
Your electrical connections get documented and protected throughout the process. Our licensed electrician handles all disconnections and reconnections, ensuring everything meets current electrical code and safety standards. We don't cut corners on the electrical side because that's where serious problems can develop if things aren't done right. When we turn your system back on, it should perform exactly as it did before—no voltage issues, no connectivity problems, no mysterious drops in production.
Roof Materials That Work Best With Solar Panels
Not all roofing materials play nicely with solar panel systems, and out here in Little Egg Harbor, you've got to think about both the solar mounting requirements and our coastal climate.
The key is making sure whatever material you choose is rated for the weight of your solar array plus snow load, even though we don't get massive snowfall here—building inspectors still want to see the numbers work.
Metal roofing is actually an excellent choice if you're replacing your roof and have solar panels. The standing seam metal roofs let us attach solar mounting hardware without penetrating the roof surface in most cases, which eliminates a whole category of potential leak points.
Metal roofs also last 40-50 years, which means your roof will likely outlive your solar panels and you won't face another removal and reinstallation situation. The upfront cost is higher, but the math works out better long-term, especially when you factor in durability against salt air and severe weather.
Tile roofs are less common in Little Egg Harbor, but if you've got one with solar panels, you need someone who knows what they're doing. Walking on tile roofs can crack tiles if you're not careful, and the mounting systems are more complex. We've handled tile roofs with solar in other parts of Ocean County, and the process takes longer because everything requires more precision to avoid damage.
Asphalt shingles are the most common choice and they work fine with solar panels, but you want architectural shingles rated for high winds—not the basic three-tab shingles that'll start lifting in the first serious storm.
We've also worked with composite and synthetic roofing materials on solar homes. These products are designed to mimic slate or shake but with better durability and lighter weight. They handle solar panel mounting well and stand up to our coastal conditions better than traditional materials.
Whatever material you're considering, we'll walk you through how it interacts with your solar system, what the expected lifespan is in our climate, and what your realistic costs look like. There's no point in installing a 20-year roof under solar panels that'll last 30 years—you'll just end up paying for another removal and reinstallation down the line.
Common Solar Panel Roof Problems We Fix
The most frequent issue we see is roof deterioration that went unnoticed because solar panels were covering the affected area. Shingles have a lifespan, and once they start failing, water gets underneath and begins damaging the underlayment and roof deck. With panels covering that section of roof, you can't see the curling shingles, the granule loss, or the other warning signs that would've prompted earlier action. By the time a leak shows up inside your home, we're often looking at roof deck replacement in addition to new shingles.
Flashing failures around solar mounting hardware are another common problem, especially on installations that are 10+ years old. The original installer might have used standard flashing materials that aren't holding up to the salt air and temperature cycling we get here.
We've pulled panels to find corroded flashing, deteriorated sealants, and in some cases, mounting hardware that's starting to work loose because the flashing system isn't doing its job anymore.
Fixing this properly means removing panels, removing old flashing, installing new flashing designed for our coastal environment, and making sure everything's sealed correctly before panels go back on.
Ice damming is less common down here than further north, but we still see it occasionally during cold winters, especially on homes with complex rooflines.
If ice backs up under solar panels, it can force water underneath shingles and cause leaks that won't show up until spring. Proper attic ventilation and insulation help prevent this, but if you've got an older home with solar panels and you're seeing ice buildup, it's worth having us assess your roof and ventilation system.
Storm damage is always a wild card. A branch comes down and cracks shingles underneath your solar array, or high winds get under a panel and lift both the panel and the shingles beneath it. We've responded to quite a few calls after nor'easters where homeowners had visible damage near their solar panels but couldn't tell how extensive it was without removing panels. Sometimes it's a simple shingle replacement, sometimes we're looking at more significant repairs to roof deck and structure.
We've also dealt with situations where the original solar installation damaged the roof. Maybe they over-torqued lag bolts and cracked roof decking, or they didn't use proper flashing and leak points developed within a few years. If you're experiencing problems with a relatively new solar installation, we can assess whether the issues stem from installation quality versus normal roof aging. Sometimes it's worth going after the solar installer's warranty, sometimes it makes more sense to just fix it right and move on.
How Long Does Solar Panel Roof Replacement Take?
A standard roof replacement in Little Egg Harbor typically takes 2-3 days depending on your home's size and roof complexity. Add solar panels to the mix and you're looking at 5-7 days total for the complete project. That includes removal, roofing work, reinstallation, and final system checks.
Here's how it breaks down: we'll spend a day on the initial solar inspection and documentation, then our electrician disconnects your system. The next day we remove all panels and mounting hardware, which usually takes a full day for most residential systems. Then we complete your roof replacement, which might be 2-3 days depending on size and whether we're dealing with any deck repairs or other complications. Panel reinstallation takes another full day, and then our electrician returns to reconnect and test your system.
Weather can extend timelines, especially during spring and fall when we're more likely to get multi-day rain events. We won't work on your roof in wet conditions, and we definitely won't reinstall solar panels if there's any chance of rain before we can get them secured and sealed. We've had projects stretch to two weeks during particularly rainy periods, but we're always transparent about delays and keep you updated on when we can get back to work.
The good news is your solar panels don't need to be offline for the entire project. They're disconnected the day before removal and stay offline until reinstallation is complete, but the actual time without power generation is typically just 5-6 days. Most homeowners don't see a huge impact on their electric bills from a week without solar, especially if the project happens during spring or fall when power usage is lower anyway.
If you're dealing with a repair rather than full replacement, timelines are shorter. A localized repair might only require removing a section of panels for a day or two. We've completed plenty of storm damage repairs where panels came off in the morning, we made repairs throughout the day, and panels were back on and reconnected by late afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when you need a new roof but have solar panels?
Your solar panels need to be professionally removed before any roofing work begins, then reinstalled once the new roof is complete. This process involves safely disconnecting the electrical connections, carefully removing each panel and its mounting hardware, and storing everything securely during the roof replacement. At GRM Roofing, we handle this entire process in-house without needing outside contractors, which saves you time and money while keeping your solar equipment safe.
How do you do roof repairs if you have solar panels?
For small repairs, we can sometimes work around the solar array if the damage is accessible. However, most repairs require removing at least some panels to properly access and fix the affected area. We carefully document which panels come from which locations, complete the repair work, inspect the surrounding areas while we have access, and then reinstall everything exactly as it was.
What happens when you have solar and need a new roof?
You'll need to have your solar panels removed, your new roof installed, and then the panels reinstalled and reconnected—it's actually the perfect time to have your mounting hardware upgraded if it's showing wear. Most homeowners are surprised to learn this process can add $3,000-$8,000 to their roofing project if they hire separate contractors. Since we handle both the roofing and solar work at GRM Roofing, you avoid those inflated costs and the hassle of coordinating multiple companies.
How much does it cost to remove solar panels for roof repair?
Removal and reinstallation costs typically range from $2,000 to $8,000 depending on your system size, roof pitch, and complexity of your setup. If you're hiring separate contractors—one for solar removal and another for roofing—you're usually looking at the higher end of that range or more. We've seen quotes as high as $5,000 just for the solar work before the roofing even starts, which is why our in-house approach saves Little Egg Harbor homeowners so much money.
What are the disadvantages of a solar panel roof?
The main disadvantage is that roof maintenance and replacement become more complex and expensive since the panels must be removed first. You'll also need to plan roof work around your solar system's warranty requirements, and any roof damage that develops under the panels can go unnoticed longer. Additionally, if your roof needs replacement before your solar panels reach their end of life (typically 25-30 years), you're facing removal and reinstallation costs you might not have budgeted for.
Ready to Get Your Roof Fixed?
If you're dealing with roof issues and you've got solar panels, you don't need to start calling around to multiple contractors hoping you can coordinate everyone's schedules. Give us a call and we'll come out to assess your roof, document your solar system, and give you a straightforward quote for the complete job.
We serve Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton, Barnegat, and throughout Ocean County. Most homeowners are surprised at how much simpler and more affordable this process is when you're working with one contractor who handles everything. Let's take a look at your roof and figure out exactly what you need.