Solar Rescue: Solar Panel Removal, Reinstallation and Servicing Made Simple

Roofing work gets a lot more complicated when there is a solar system sitting in the way. This is where Solar Rescue – owned by Verve Electrical PTY LTD steps in to save the day and allow roofing contractors to do their job quicker and safer.

If a roof needs replacing, restoring, repairing or accessing underneath an existing solar array, the panels will often need to come off before the roofing work can begin. That sounds straightforward enough, but solar panels are electrical equipment, so removing them properly involves more than simply lifting them off the roof and stacking them somewhere until the job is finished.

The system needs to be safely disconnected, the panels and associated equipment need to be handled carefully, and once the roofing work is complete the system needs to be assessed before anything is put back into service. That is exactly where Solar Rescue fits in.

We work with roofing companies, Service Partners and homeowners across Melbourne to manage the solar side of roofing works from beginning to end.

 

 

 

How Solar Rescue Works With Roofing Companies

The process is simple from the roofing company’s point of view.

You contact Solar Rescue, provide the customer details and let us know what roofing work is planned. From there, we can deal directly with the customer to organise the solar component of the job.

We arrange access, discuss the existing system with the homeowner, schedule the removal and coordinate our return once the roofing work has been completed. This means the roofer does not need to become the middle person between the customer and the solar electrician, which makes the whole job easier to coordinate.

For the homeowner, it means they are dealing directly with the company responsible for removing, assessing and reinstalling their solar system.

 

 

 

 

 

Solar Panel Removal Before Roof Works

Before roofing work starts, the solar panels may need to be removed to allow safe access to the roof.

Solar Rescue attends the property, safely isolates the system and removes the required solar equipment. Depending on the system and the work being carried out, this may involve removing the panels, rooftop electrical components and sections of the mounting system that would otherwise interfere with the roofing work.

The equipment is handled with the intention of reinstalling it once the roof is finished, provided the system remains safe and suitable to go back into service.

Once the solar equipment is out of the way, the roofing company can carry out their work properly without having to work around a live solar array or attempt repairs underneath equipment that should have been removed first.

 

The Roofing Company Can Get On With the Job

Once the panels have been removed, the roofing company can focus on the work they were engaged to do.

That might include roof replacement, roof restoration, tile repairs, leak repairs, roof painting, gutter works, flashing repairs or structural roof repairs.

Solar Rescue remains responsible for the solar component of the project. Once the roofer confirms the roof is ready, we arrange the return visit directly with the customer and move on to the next stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Assess the System Before Reinstallation

Removing a solar system from a roof does not automatically mean every component should be put straight back on.

Solar systems age, electrical equipment deteriorates and faults can develop over time without the homeowner being aware of them. In some cases, the system may have been sitting on the roof for years without any meaningful inspection or servicing.

Before returning the system to service, we assess whether the existing equipment is suitable for reinstallation. If the system is safe and in suitable condition, we can reinstall the equipment, reconnect it and recommission the system.

If we identify problems that make the system unsuitable for reinstallation, we explain what we have found and talk the customer through the available options. We will not reinstall equipment that we believe is unsafe or no longer suitable to remain in service.

 

What Happens if the Existing Solar System Cannot Be Reinstalled?

Sometimes an older solar system has simply reached the point where putting it back on the roof does not make sense.

The panels may be damaged, the inverter may be near the end of its service life, electrical components may have deteriorated, or faults may become apparent once the system is properly inspected.

In those cases, Solar Rescue can recommend highly competent solar installation companies who can assess the property and provide options for a replacement system. These are highly scrutinised installers, not companies who have the biggest advertising budget – legitimate companies we trust with our reputation too.

Our role is focused on solar removal, reinstallation, servicing and maintenance. If a full replacement system is the better option, we would rather point the customer in the direction of a company we trust than reinstall old equipment that should really be retired.

 

A Turnkey Solar Service for Our Service Partners

Solar Rescue also works with selected Service Partners who engage us directly to provide this service to their customers on a recurring mutually beneficial basis.

These are handpicked companies where we have established a clear working relationship and can provide a reliable process from start to finish. Rather than telling the customer to find their own solar contractor, the Service Partner can bring Solar Rescue into the job and we handle the solar side directly.

We can contact the customer, arrange the site visit, remove the solar equipment, coordinate around the partner’s works and return to reinstall the system once everything is ready.

It gives the customer a far more organised experience and gives the Service Partner confidence that the solar component is being handled properly without adding more coordination work to their own team.

 

Solar Rescue Is Not Just for Roofing Work

Roof related solar removal is a large part of what we do, but Solar Rescue also provides solar servicing and preventative maintenance for homeowners.

Solar systems spend their entire working life exposed to Melbourne weather. Heat, rain, wind, dirt, wildlife and movement across the roof structure all take their toll over time, yet many systems are installed and then barely looked at again.

We regularly see customers who have no idea when their system was last inspected, whether it has ever been serviced or whether every part of it is still in suitable condition. Worst of all their system was “cleaned by our gutter cleaner last summer” (way to void your insurance, let alone damage your array with solvents and high pressure washers, and lets’ not even get into the lack of electrical licencing or checks on your system)

Regular servicing gives us the opportunity to inspect the system, assess visible deterioration, check electrical components and look for faults or other issues that could affect safety or operation.

We recommend annually or 2 Yearly checks for domestic systems, and commercial systems may even be 6 monthly or annually depending on size, install and location.

 

Preventative Solar Maintenance Can Save Trouble Later

A planned service is a much better time to find a developing problem than halfway through major roof works or after the solar system has stopped operating.

Preventative maintenance can help identify physical damage, deteriorated components, cabling problems, water entry, loose equipment or other issues that may require further investigation.

It also gives the homeowner a clearer idea of the overall condition of the system, which can be very useful before planning roof restoration or replacement work.

If a roof is going to be replaced and the solar system is already approaching the end of its useful service life, it makes sense to know that before paying to have the whole system removed and reinstalled.

Sometimes the right decision is to put the existing system back. Sometimes it is not. Our job is to assess what is there and give the customer a practical answer based on the condition of the equipment.

 

Working With Solar Rescue Across Melbourne

Solar Rescue works with homeowners, roofing companies and service partners across Melbourne, including Croydon, Ringwood, Mooroolbark, Bayswater, Lilydale, Warrandyte and surrounding areas.

For roofing companies, the benefit is simple. You can hand the solar component of the job to a company that deals directly with your customer and coordinates the work around your roofing schedule.

For Service Partners, Solar Rescue can become the solar service provider working behind your own customer offering. Ask us more about this via email!

For homeowners, it means one company can manage the removal, assessment, reinstallation and ongoing maintenance of the existing solar system without leaving you to coordinate several different contractors yourself.