After careful consideration, you’ve decided to invest in solar panels. Excellent choice — you’ve contributed to a greener future and saved some money on the electricity bills! Now, let’s say you got a new job opportunity at the other end of the state. Long commute time is definitely not ideal; thus relocating may seem like the only logical option. Naturally, you’re wondering, “Can I move my solar panels to my new home?”
The short answer is — yes, of course! There is a catch, though. Solar panel removal, transportation, and reinstallation are all time-consuming, challenging processes. Even worse, the whole endeavor will leave your wallet pleading for mercy. So, is leaving them behind a better option? Should you just buy new PVs when you move away?
If these questions have been making your moving process even more stressful, you’re at the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about transporting your solar panels.
How Far is Your New Home?
Distance plays an important role in transporting your solar system. Moving within the service area of your solar company would be the ideal choice. Since they’ve already installed your solar panels once, you know they’ll handle the moving process just as professionally. The best part is that your warranty won’t be void because the original installer is handling the work.
Things get a little trickier if you are moving further away. In this case, you’re kind of on your own. You have the choice of transporting the panels yourself. While this might save you some money, it is also an extremely risky feat that could go wrong at any moment and cost you more in the end. A much safer alternative is to hire a third party, but in both situations, your warranty will be nullified.
In addition, if you’re moving out of the state, you must research relevant laws. It is essential to understand the regulations you will need to follow and the licenses you will need to obtain. Furthermore, there’s also a possibility you might have to pay more because of the Feed-in Tariff. In any case, you should prepare yourself thoroughly to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Roof Dimensions
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all when it comes to solar panels. Just like a well-tailored suit, PVs are made to fit perfectly. Whether your new home is twice as big as your old one, or three times smaller, your solar panels will not be as effective on a roof they weren’t designed for.
Aside from the size, there’s also the angle, type, and shape of your new roof. All of this could require some adjustments to your solar system, which will not come cheap.
Damages to the Roof and Solar Panels
It’s important to leave solar system installation to the professionals instead of tinkering with it yourself. However, this process includes screwing, which, of course, leaves holes in the roof upon removal. To prevent issues such as leaks, you’ll have to cover the cost of filling and repairing the damage if you decide to remove the panels from your old house when you relocate.
Another factor to consider if you decide to take your panels with you is that the roofing that was beneath the PVs will have a more radiant color than the rest of the roof. Although this is not a serious issue, it might lessen the aesthetic appeal of your old home and consequently lower its sale price.
Additionally, you might also damage your solar panels because of how delicate they are. Disassembling and transporting your PVs only to have them arrive completely broken and useless wouldn’t be worth your time or money.
So, is it Worth it?
Considering all the pros and cons, it might actually be smarter to leave your solar panels behind and invest in new ones. Sure, PVs aren’t inexpensive, but transporting your old ones is way more inconvenient and stressful, all the while being pretty costly as well. Besides, your old home will have a higher selling price with solar panels, so you might cover the cost of a new solar system right away!
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