How to Remove Existing Solar Panels
- 1). Turn off the inverter, using the utility disconnect switch. Legally, this switch must be within sight of the home's electrical meter, and is usually adjacent to the solar inverter.
Once you turn the power off, the solar panel may still be generating electricity. - 2). Go onto the roof, and cover the solar array with a blanket or dark-colored tarp. If you're not going to remove the entire array, only the section you're working on needs to be covered.
- 3). Unplug the solar panels from one another. Do this by disconnecting the "MC" cables, which lead from the underside of each panel. Each panel has two cables, a positive and a negative.
Disconnect them all.
Do not allow any cables to touch. Cover each plug with electrical tape. - 4). Loosen the bolts on the hold-down clamps, which are usually located at the four corners of each panel. Use a ratchet wrench for this. Only unbolt one panel at a time.
- 5). Pull the clamps off. The panel will no longer be attached to the roof.
- 6). Repeat until all panels have been unbolted.