Replacing a Tulsa Roof That Has Solar Panels
Solar on the roof adds a second trade and sometimes a third party to a replacement. The order you do things in matters.
Rooftop solar has spread across the Tulsa suburbs over the last decade. That creates a planning problem when the roof under the panels needs replacing, often after a hailstorm, and sometimes years before the panels themselves are near the end of their life.
Replacing a roof with solar on it is routine work, but it involves two trades and, often, a third party who owns the system. The order matters.
Step 1: Figure Out Who Owns the System
If you own the panels, you decide who removes and reinstalls them. Start with the company that installed them, if it is still in business, since it knows the system and any terms on its own workmanship.
If the panels are leased or under a power purchase agreement, the solar company owns them. Call it first. Most agreements say who may touch the system and how removal is scheduled.
Step 2: Coordinate the Two Crews
- The solar crew disconnects the system and removes panels and racking.
- The panels are stored, often on site in a protected spot.
- The roofing crew tears off, inspects the deck and installs the new roof.
- New flashing and mounts are set for the racking attachment points.
- The solar crew reinstalls and recommissions the system.
Agree in writing who is responsible for what, and who handles any roof penetrations for the racking. Leaks around solar mounts usually trace back to that handoff.
Use the Downtime Well
With the panels off, the whole roof is accessible. That is the moment to do anything that would be awkward under an array:
- Replace soft decking under the old array footprint.
- Fix attic ventilation; see roof ventilation in Tulsa.
- Renew pipe boots and flashing that sit near the array.
- Consider Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, so the roof under the panels is less likely to need replacing again before the panels do.
Planning Solar on an Older Roof
If you are thinking about adding solar and the roof is already well into its life, replace the roof first. Many homeowners schedule the roofing and solar work together so the array goes straight onto a new roof. See how long roofs last in Tulsa to judge where yours stands.
Timing
Expect the job to take longer than a roof alone, since the solar crew's removal and reinstall days bracket the roofing. Ask both companies for their schedules before you lock in dates. The roof replacement timeline covers the roofing side.
