Can you take solar panels with you when you move?

A solar system at your property helps you to not only save money on your electric bills but also to reduce your carbon footprint and lead a greener lifestyle. Solar panels, however, are a big investment, so if you have photovoltaic modules on your roof and plan to move house, you’ll likely want to take your PV equipment with you. Unsurprisingly though, moving solar panels is neither easy nor cheap.

You’ll be faced with a difficult decision – whether to go to the trouble of uninstalling your existing solar system, moving it to your new location, and reinstalling it at your new property (and pay for all that) or to pass it along to the new buyers and have a new system installed on your new home. And you need to make that decision before you put your house on the market and start your moving preparations.

Here is everything you need to know about moving solar panels from one house to another, so you can make an informed decision about your photovoltaic setup and your upcoming relocation.

Can solar panels be moved to another house?

Yes, it is, of course, possible to move solar panels from one house to another. The process, however, is difficult and the cost is high.

So, when wondering “Can I take solar panels with me when I move?”, you should first decide if it is worth doing so.

There are several important factors to consider when thinking of moving solar panels to new house:

1) Where you’re moving to

The distance of your move and the rules and regulations in your new area are the first things to take into account:

• If you’re moving locally and within service range of the company that originally installed your solar system, they will likely agree to remove the panels and reinstall them at your new home. This is the best way to move a solar setup – the experts will take care of the process from start to finish, will have the specialized equipment and technical know-how to handle the removal, transportation, and reinstallation of the panels in the safest and most efficient way possible, and your warranty won’t be voided;
• If you’re moving long distance, the company that installed the photovoltaic modules on your old home won’t be able to help you, it will be up to you to find a way to uninstall, transport, and reinstall your solar system, and your warranty will be voided. The process will be extremely difficult, risky, and expensive and probably not worth it;
• If you’re moving out of state, you need to check the pertinent rules and regulations in your new area and find out what standards the solar system must meet and what permits are necessary for photovoltaic panel installation. You also need to consider the tax incentives, grants, and feed-in tariffs in your new state.

2) Sun exposure

The amount of sunshine your new home is likely to get is the second most decisive factor in choosing what to do with your solar system.

If you’re moving to a colder climate or to a location that sees little sunlight, there may be no point in bringing your solar panels along.

And if your new property has many trees or is overshadowed by higher buildings, your solar array won’t be very effective. 

3) New home roof

PV systems are usually specifically tailored to fit the dimensions of a roof and the orientation of a house. Moving them to a property they weren’t designed for will chip away from their efficiency.

The available roof space is of primary importance – if the roof on your new home isn’t large enough to fit all your solar panels, it will be impossible to transfer your existing photovoltaic system to your new property.

The type, shape, and orientation of the roof also matter a lot – adjustments may have to be made to accommodate your existing solar system to your new home and optimize output. And you may need different components to mount your solar array.

4) Damage to the current home

When photovoltaic panels are installed on a roof, they’re secured in place by mounting brackets literally screwed into the roofing material. If you remove your solar system to move it to your new home, there will remain holes in the roof where the brackets were located. These holes will leave your old home exposed to leaks and structural damage, so you’ll be responsible for filling and sealing them before your move.

Also, there will be a difference in the color of the roofing underneath the removed PV panels compared to the rest of the roof. The parts of the roof that were shaded by the panels will have retained their original color while the rest of the roofing material that has been exposed to direct sunlight will have faded considerably. The uneven roof color may affect the selling price of your home.

Related: How to prevent property damage when moving out

5) Potential damage to the solar panels

Solar panels are extremely fragile and contain delicate electrical wiring, so the risk of damaging the photovoltaic modules when removing them, disassembling them, packing them for shipping, and transporting them to another place is very high. If improperly handled, your solar equipment can be completely ruined during your house move.

And any damage to the system caused during the relocation process won’t be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

6) Costs

The cost of moving solar panels from one house to another is quite high – you need to pay not only for removing the modules, transporting them to your new address, and reinstalling them at your new property, but also for patching up the holes on the roof of your old home and for any necessary adjustments and new mounting equipment.

Related: What is the average moving cost?

It may be cheaper to buy a brand new solar system than uninstall, move, and reinstall your existing one.

How much does it cost to move solar panels?

Taking your solar panels with you when you move will cost you a pretty penny – labor costs for removal and reinstallation are quite high and transportation isn’t cheap either. Besides, you need to cover the cost of repairing the roof of your old home where the panels were originally fitted and the cost of any required permits.

• The cost to move solar panels (removal, disassembly, packing, shipping, and reinstallation) can range from $4,000 to $8,000, depending on the size of the system and the distance to the new home;
• Patchwork usually costs about $500-$1,000, depending on how many panels there were installed on the roof;
• Permit fees for a roof-mounted residential solar system can be anywhere from $50 to $500, depending on the city (some cities have waived solar permit fees to encourage renewable energy usage);
• If the new home has a different kind of roof than the previous one, there will be extra costs for adjustments, new racks and mounting hardware, etc.

The high cost to move a solar system is the main reason why many people choose to include the PV system as a fixture of the house they’re selling and have a new solar setup installed at their new property.

If you too are considering leaving your existing solar panels behind, you’ll be glad to learn that according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, homes with solar systems sell 20% faster and for 17% more. Solar panels increase property value and are a strong selling point for those who want to lead a greener lifestyle – today’s home buyers are looking for clean energy options and willing to pay more for solar-powered homes. From a financial standpoint, it will be a smart move to sell your solar system with your property – and your relocation will become much simpler and easier.

If you, however, prefer to bring the solar panels you’ve already invested in with you or if it just makes more sense in your particular relocation case (moving locally, to a sunny property with the same type of roof as your old home, etc.), you need to know how to make the process as safe and smooth as possible.

How to move solar panels?

If you want to move your solar system to your new home, it’s best to use the same company that you bought the equipment from – the experienced solar technicians who originally installed your solar panels will know how to safely remove, transport, and reinstall them and will do the job in the most efficient way possible. Just make sure you contact the company about two months before your home sale closes, so they have enough time to prepare the paperwork and schedule the relocation.

If you intend to remove your solar panels yourself (or hire third-party technicians to perform only this task) and ship them with the same moving company that will move the rest of your belongings to your new home, you need to discuss it with the movers in advance – not all companies will agree to do the job as packing and transporting the fragile panels requires specialized equipment and expert skill. (See also: How to move fragile items)

Pulling down and transporting the solar equipment without professional help is strongly advised against – it will most likely end in a disaster. (See also: The risks of DIY-moving)

So, can you take solar panels with you when you move? You can, but you’re recommended to consider all the relevant factors first and decide if it will be worth the cost and the trouble.

Good to know: If you don’t own the solar system installed at your old home, you need to contact the company you’re leasing from and discuss your options with them – if you’re moving within service range, they will likely be able to move the solar equipment to your new place (for a fee, of course). If you’re moving out of state or just don’t want to take the panels with you, your solar lease agreement will be transferred to the new buyers – if they don’t agree to take over the lease, though, you’ll have to buy out the remainder.