5 Things to Check Before Hiring Anyone to Reinstall Your Solar Panels
By The Light Group USA — America’s Leading Solar Service Experts
Reinstalling a solar system isn’t just another home project.
It’s one of the few times your entire solar installation comes apart, gets inspected, and goes back together—piece by piece. And the truth is simple:
The quality of the crew you hire will determine whether your system lasts 25 years… or fails in 2.
At The Light Group USA, we’ve seen every scenario imaginable—roofers trying to remove panels without training, handymen improvising with hardware from the hardware store, and unlicensed contractors leaving homeowners with leaks, broken panels, voided warranties, or thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs.
Before you let anyone touch your solar panels, here are the five non-negotiable things you must check. And if even one of these fails, you should walk away.
1. Verify That They Are Licensed Specifically for Solar Work
Many homeowners don’t know this, but general roofing or electrical licensing does not automatically make someone qualified to remove or reinstall a solar system.
Solar is its own discipline—one that requires:
Structural knowledge
Electrical expertise
Code compliance
Roof integration
Wiring systems
Weatherproofing
And the ability to restore everything to factory-safe conditions
If a contractor tells you they “can probably figure it out,” you don’t have a contractor—you have a risk.
At The Light Group USA, our teams carry dedicated solar licensing and operate under strict internal standards used in our residential solar panel installation and commercial solar installation divisions.
That means your reinstall isn’t guesswork—it’s performed with the same precision as a brand-new build.
Always ask for solar-specific licensing. Never skip this step.
2. Confirm They Provide Full System Documentation Before and After
A professional solar reinstallation company should give you:
Before Removal:
Photos of your system
Panel layout documentation
Wiring diagram
Inverter/microinverter model list
Racking configuration
After Reinstallation:
Verified alignment
Hardware replacement list
New photos of all roof penetrations
Electrical test results
Performance verification
If a contractor can’t provide this, they shouldn’t be touching your system.
This level of documentation is normal for us because our reinstall crews work closely with our solar repair and maintenance service department. Everything is logged, tested, and verified—every screw, every seal, every connection.
Most homeowners never received proper documentation from their original installer. Reinstallation is your chance to finally get it done right.
3. Ensure They Inspect (and If Needed Replace) All Mounting Hardware
Here’s the truth most installers don’t tell you:
Mounting hardware wears out faster than your panels.
Exposure to heat, wind uplift, and moisture slowly weakens rails, bolts, and flashings. This happens even if your panels still look perfect. If someone removes your system and simply puts the same deteriorated hardware back on your new roof, you’re guaranteeing future problems.
During a proper reinstall, your crew should:
Inspect every rail
Replace rusted or weakened hardware
Upgrade outdated flashings
Tighten and level all mounts
Realign panel tilt and azimuth
Most importantly, they should understand how solar integrates with roofing materials—not just screw it down and hope it holds.
This attention to detail is standard in our residential solar panel removal & reinstallation service. We treat the roof and the solar system as a single unit, because that’s what they are.
If your contractor doesn’t plan to evaluate hardware:
That’s a red flag. Walk away.
4. Ask If They Check Wiring, Electrical Pathways & Grounding
Reinstallation is the only time your system gets fully exposed. That means it’s the perfect chance to identify:
Fragile wiring
Loose connectors
UV-damaged coverings
Faulty grounding
Microinverter deterioration
Rapid shutdown malfunctions
This is where inexperienced crews often make irreversible mistakes. We’ve seen roofers disconnect wiring with no labeling. We’ve seen handymen tear grounding lugs off rails. We’ve seen people twist connectors until they break.
Every time a panel is unplugged, it needs to be reconnected correctly and tested under load. If your crew doesn’t understand electrical solar infrastructure, they’re not qualified for the job.
At The Light Group USA, we combine our reinstallation services with the same electrical precision used in our energy storage installations, where wiring quality determines safety. That precision carries over into every reinstall project we complete.
If a contractor says they “don’t really do electrical,” do not let them touch your system.
5. Make Sure They Evaluate Roof Integrity and Energy Efficiency
A solar system is only as reliable as the roof beneath it.
A professional crew must evaluate:
Roof age
Shingle condition
Flashing quality
Moisture indicators
Structural integrity
During the removal process, we’ve discovered dozens of roofs with hidden issues—problems the homeowners didn’t know existed. Reinstallation is your ideal moment to correct these issues before panels go back up.
Even more, some homeowners use reinstallation as the perfect time to improve attic insulation, ventilation, or indoor efficiency. Our Residential Energy Efficiency services often get paired with reinstallation projects because homeowners want to maximize overall performance while everything is already accessible.
A crew that ignores the roof is a crew that risks future leaks.
A real solar professional understands the roof is part of the system.
Bonus Tip: Check Their Communication Style
Solar reinstallation isn’t just technical—it’s a customer communication process. Your contractor should:
Explain every step clearly
Update you consistently
Provide transparent timelines
Offer repair options
Share photos
Leave no confusion
If they’re vague before the job starts, they’ll be worse once the panels are off the roof.
At The Light Group USA, we communicate the same way we do during original installations—whether residential or commercial. Every detail is clear, documented, and presented with transparency.
Final Thought: Reinstallation Is Too Important to Risk
Reinstallation is a major milestone in the life of your solar system. Done right, it improves safety, performance, lifespan, and structural integrity. Done wrong, it can cost thousands in leaks, repairs, and lost production.
You deserve a crew that:
Is solar licensed
Documents everything
Understands hardware
Handles electrical work precisely
Respects your roof
Communicates professionally
If a contractor fails even one of those checks, trust your instincts.
Protect your roof. Protect your home. Protect your investment.
Hire a team that knows solar—inside and out.
The Light Group USA is here to help you every step of the way.
