How To Remove Old Solar Panels

The push to rely on solar power continues, and many business and property owners have made the switch.

Sustainable power, like relying on solar panels, can offer a lot of benefits and is considered to be a good investment in most cases. The installation process for solar panels does suggest that this is a permanent solution for your property, but there are rules within the UK’s permitted development standard that indicate that this is not always the case.

If there comes a time when you need solar panels removed from your property, you should not attempt to do this work yourself.

As much work as it took to install solar panels, the same levels are required to safely remove them from your site. You want to be able to remove solar panels, or any other panel, safely from your property without damaging the panel or the building.

There are various reasons why you may require solar PV panel removal, and you must seek out professionals to do this work for you.

Are Solar Panels Permanent?

During the installation process for solar PV panels and similar sustainable options, you may believe that you are making permanent alterations to your property.

Installing solar panels is an investment and one that can offer lasting benefits, but it is not necessarily a permanent decision. While solar panels are designed to last at least 25 years, when working with the top manufacturers and installers, there may be times when they need to be removed.

It is also part of the permitted development standards across the UK that all solar panels should be easily removable, despite the fact they are designed to last a long time.

Even if you do plan on keeping solar panels for a couple of decades, there may be occasions during this when you need the PV panels removed for a short period of time. Solar panels, like all other elements of a property, can become damaged over time or may need to be removed to deal with an issue on the building itself.

It makes sense for solar panels to have these requirements across the UK, even if it is not something you have considered until now.

It is also important to note that just because solar panels need to be easily removable does not mean you should take the panels off the building yourself. This can be a dangerous task and one that requires specialist skills to get right, which is why you need to hire an experienced removal team for all PV panels.

Why Do I Need To Remove Solar Panels?

While solar panels are designed to last a long time with the proper maintenance, there may be times when they need to be removed.

There are going to be some circumstances following the installation of your solar system that require solar panel removal. You will need to hire a professional team to take down the solar PV panels in events, such as the following:

· Roof Repairs and Replacements

Over time, it is common for roofs to become damaged. As this part of the property is exposed to the elements, it can become worn down over time or severely damaged. Both of these circumstances require professional repairs.

Whether you simply need a couple of slates replaced or require a complete roof replacement, this work cannot take place without the solar panels being taken down first.

The team that comes to repair or replace your roof may not have the necessary skills required to remove solar panels, meaning you need to hire other engineers first to ensure the work can go ahead.

· Damaged Panels

Solar panels require maintenance to ensure they are in good working order. During some extreme weather conditions or after being in use for a long time, you may find that your solar PV panels have become damaged in some way.

Even though solar panels and the energy they provide are a lasting solution, this does not mean they are exempt from damage. Issues within the solar panel system can appear over time, and the main source will need to be addressed, which means the panels need to be removed from your roof.

While professional removal is required in all circumstances, this is vital during the case of repairs or damage. There may be issues within the solar panel system that make them dangerous to handle, and therefore, qualified engineers need to handle the scene.

· System Upgrades

Likewise, even though most solar panel systems are designed to last a long time, the whole system may require an upgrade.

As technology improves and time goes on, you may find that your solar panels require an upgrade. The manufacturer of your solar panels will inform you of whether upgrades are required, as may your local government if this is part of a regional scheme.

Whatever the reason may be, there could come a time when your solar system needs to be upgraded, and therefore, the panels need to be removed from your property.

Once the panels have been removed, the system can be upgraded, or the energy supplier can send new PV panels that will need to be installed.

· Moving Property

Solar panels can add to the value of your property, but this does not mean you have to leave them behind if you are going to move.

A lot of homeowners will take their solar panels with them to a new property to save money. Instead of paying for new installation when you move, you can have your current solar panels removed from your old home and installed on the new site.

You can also opt to leave the solar panels behind and increase the selling price of your current home, but you will then need to pay for a new installation once you have moved to your new address. For the benefit of the homeowner, taking your existing solar panels with you is a good option, and this can be done following professional removal.