Do you have solar PV panels that need removing? Then Skylamp Solar in Walsall are the team to call!
Whether you invested in solar panels for your Walsall home or business, or they were in place when you moved into the property, there are times when they need to be taken down.
This isn't a job that can be done by anyone; this is sensitive, highly-technical equipment that requires careful handling by specialists with experience, like the team from Skylamp Solar.
We're here to tell you all there is to know about the removal of solar PV panels.
When you have your solar PV panels installed, you might assume that this is a permanent fixture. At the very least, you expect them to last the full 25 years of their suggested lifespan.
However, under the permitted development section of the Walsall planning laws, your solar panels must be 'easily removable when no longer required', suggesting that they are, in fact, a temporary fixture.
As a result, when you install solar panels, the contractors must ensure that they can be removed with ease when necessary.
These are some of the reasons why you might need Skylamp Solar to remove solar panels:
This is probably the most common reason for PV solar panel removal in Walsall, particularly if you have a flat roof as these are notorious
If your roof needs repairing, whether it's a small area or the entire roof, you may have to remove solar panels in order for the work to be carried out. It might only be necessary to take off one or two panels, but in some cases, the whole array will need to come down.
While this seems like a lot of hassle, it really is the best course of action; you made a big investment in your solar PV system, and the last thing you need is for panels to get damaged!
Of course, if the roof is being replaced completely, removing the solar panels is unavoidable.
Also, with the solar panels out of harm's way, the contractors will be able to get on with the job easily without the worry of potentially damaging your solar system.
Despite their long life span, solar panels can break down at times and will need repair or replacement.
The most likely scenario is that a panel has been smashed by a falling branch during a storm. In these cases, it's highly probable that the panel (or panels) will not be repairable and will be removed and replaced.
Skylamp Solar solar panel engineers will inspect your array to assess the extent of the damage and repair it if at all possible. They may decide to remove solar panels to work on them as it's much easier than working on the roof.
The technology behind photovoltaic solar panels is relatively new (when compared with solar thermal panels), and it is constantly being improved and upgraded.
It may be that you want to install solar panels with improved efficiency and better specifications, in which case the old panels will need to be removed.
If you plan any home improvements, like the installation of HVAC systems, satellite dishes, a loft conversion (with a dormer window), an extension, or any other task that involves extensive work on the roof, it's wise to arrange for experts to remove solar panels first.
It's always best to have these items kept well out of the way while work is carried out.
With some alteration work, it might be necessary to relocate other components of your solar system, such as the inverter or battery storage, in which case we can be of assistance.
Having tall, mature trees nearby can cause major problems with your solar panel system, not only because of the risk of falling branches and leaves but also due to the shade they cast.
Shadow across your solar panels will affect the output and efficiency to some extent. And if you have a string inverter, the system will generate electricity at a reduced level even if only one panel is in the shade.
For this reason, it's a good idea to have tall trees cut back when they threaten to grow too high or too close to your roof. It's also wise to consider removing solar panels while any work takes place to rule out the risk of accidental damage.
This one needs careful consideration; in theory, you can have your solar panels removed from your old house and reinstalled at your new address in Walsall.
However, you need to weigh up the pros and cons carefully.
First of all, there's the fact that solar photovoltaic systems are usually tailored specifically to your roof dimensions and the orientation of your roof. If you retrofit them on a new roof there's a chance that it will be orientated differently or have a steeper or shallower pitch. If this is the case, the efficiency of your solar panels may be severely affected.
Secondly, if you're selling your house, you need to make sure that the roof is left in perfect condition. If you remove solar panels you must be certain that there is no damage.
Cost is another important factor; it can be fairly expensive to remove and reinstall solar panels at a different property. And do you only take the panels, or will you uninstall the solar inverter, wiring, battery storage and any other components?
When it's all added up, you would probably be better off leaving them in place and
This is why experts always recommend against solar panel installation if you plan on moving house within the next 15 years or so.
However, sometimes it's unavoidable. And if you need solar panel removal for any reason at all, the Skylamp Solar team is here to help!
Removing solar panels for cleaning would only really be necessary in cases of heavy soiling (say, if your panels are caked in bird poop or organic matter). It is much easier to work on them at ground level than on the steep pitch of a roof.
Generally, they only need cleaning once in a while and this can be part of a regular maintenance schedule. Ideally, they should be inspected annually to make sure all is well.
As solar photovoltaic panels only really took off after the year 2000, many that were installed back then are now starting to reach the end of their lifespan (although some will keep working for another 20 years!).
Energy production will decline as the panels age, and by the time they are at the upper end of their lifespan, their efficiency will be dramatically lower. It will be up to you whether to remove them completely and rely on the energy companies or replace your solar panels with newer ones.
In theory, it only takes about a day to remove solar panels.
The actual time taken will be affected by various factors, like the number of panels and whether the mounts and hooks are to be removed as well. If the units are being removed and reinstalled because of roof repair or similar projects, the task could be completed quicker as we may not need to remove the mounting hardware.
A simple solar panel removal job will be somewhere between £300 and £500, with an extra £100 or so for disconnecting the solar power system from the electrics. This would usually apply when we need to replace solar panels (or a single unit) that have been damaged or in cases of panel failure.
The actual cost, however, will be affected by several factors, for example:
If your house is situated in an unusual area with potential hazards or obstacles nearby (such as power lines), the job may require special tools for safety reasons.
Your solar energy system might only have a couple of panels, or as many as fourteen! The more solar panels, the longer the entire process will be, adding to the cost required to get the job done properly.
If it's a case of removing all the solar equipment, including the inverter, wiring, batteries, etc. then the project cost will be higher as there's much more work involved.
In the event that you need solar panel removal and reinstallation following roof repair or maintenance, we will treat this much like the initial installation - the same process will be followed in order to make sure that the panels are fitted and working correctly. We will test the system to ensure that the energy output has not been affected by the process.
The solar panels can be stored off-site for safety before being returned and installed once the roofing company has finished.
The cost will be higher for removing and reinstalling solar panels due to the amount of extra work involved.
The same issues affect solar panel removal and installation on commercial sites as those that face the average homeowner. However, some of these arrays tend to be much larger, so the cost required to complete the project would rise in line with the scale.
To find out exactly how much your solar panels removal project will be, get in touch with Skylamp Solar and we'll talk through the details with you.
It is possible, but not advisable, especially if you need to reinstall solar panels later.
Expert solar installers (like Skylamp Solar) handle solar panels daily and are trained to do so properly. Although PV modules are fairly robust (enough to withstand heavy rain, hail, wind, etc.) it's easy to break them if you're not careful. While the outer parts are tough, the internal components can be damaged without proper handling.
Also, removing the mounting equipment can be a tricky task, and there's a real risk of causing serious damage to your tiles or standing seam roof. You might end up paying more money on roof repairs than you saved by not hiring a professional solar installer to do the job.
In addition to this, there are safety concerns: you'll be working on the roof, which carries its own hazards and risks. You're also dealing with electrical connections that have to be respected and handled with care.
It's also possible that you'll void the warranty by doing the job yourself, so if you damage any of the units during the process you won't be covered.
There is a chance that you moved into a property with solar power but have decided that you don't want it. You don't want the expense of hiring solar installers to do the job, and you probably don't care much whether the panels get damaged.
Unless the solar panels are old and inefficient, this would be a bad decision - in our view.
Either way, if you decide to have a go at solar removal yourself, you must dispose of them correctly under UK recycling law. All solar panels have to be recycled at an appropriate centre and it's your responsibility to deliver them to your nearest Dedicated Collection Facility.
You need to ask yourself these questions:
When you need solar panels removed, don't trust inexperienced or unqualified contractors to do the job. And if you are considering taking on the task yourself, we would strongly urge you to consider this very carefully.
Instead, use a solar panel installer with the right knowledge and experience, like Skylamp Solar. Your warranty may stipulate that you only use a licensed installer for solar panel removal, and we fit the bill in that respect.
In fact, we can assist you in every aspect relating to solar panels, including installation, maintenance, repairs and cleaning. Whether it's an underperforming solar inverter, a hot spot on a panel, a malfunctioning charge controller, or a faulty battery, we are more than happy to help out our customers.
So, for solar panel removal in Walsall, and any other issue that's troubling you, call the experts at Skylamp Solar.
Yes solar panels can be removed and often need to be to enable roof repairs or inspections along with routine maintenance & servicing of the PV solar panels.
A simple solar panel removal job will be somewhere between £300 and £500, with an extra £100 or so for disconnecting the solar power system from the electrics.
It is possible, but not advisable, especially if you need to reinstall solar panels later. Expert solar installers Skylamp Solar handle solar panels daily and are trained to do so properly. Although PV modules are fairly robust, enough to withstand heavy rain, hail, wind, etc it's easy to break them if you're not careful.
Yes we handle the full job requirements from beginning to end and can provide replacements or servicing.
