A homeowner in Castle Rock found out the hard way that "the roof looks fine" isn't the same as "the warranty is intact." Two years after a reroof, a leak showed up right at a solar mounting bracket. The roofing company pointed to the solar installer who'd handled the reinstall; the solar installer pointed back at the roofing company's flashing work. Both warranties technically existed on paper. Neither one covered the actual leak, because the company that caused it couldn't be pinned down.
That's the risk that doesn't get talked about enough when a solar home in the Denver metro needs a new roof: a reroof touches two separate warranty systems at once, and either one can get quietly voided by the same mistake. This guide breaks down exactly what those warranties cover, what actually voids them, and how to keep both intact through the project. It's a companion to our guide on what actually happens when you reroof a house with solar panels, this one goes deeper specifically on the warranty side.
How Many Warranties Are Actually in Play?
A typical solar-and-roof reroof touches four separate warranties, not one:
Solar panel product warranty: usually 25 years, covers manufacturing defects and guaranteed minimum power output over time.
Inverter warranty: typically 10 to 12 years for string inverters, up to 25 years for microinverters, covers the equipment that converts solar power for home use.
Solar installer workmanship warranty: usually 2 to 10 years depending on the installer, covers the quality of the mounting, wiring, and installation itself.
Roofing material and workmanship warranty: ranges from a limited lifetime material warranty to a shorter workmanship warranty from the roofing contractor, covers the shingles, underlayment, and flashing.
A reroof around solar panels puts three of those four, everything except the panel product warranty itself, directly at risk if the disconnection, removal, or reinstallation isn't handled to spec.
What Actually Voids a Roofing Warranty During a Solar Reroof
Shingle manufacturers write their material and workmanship warranties around specific installation details, and flashing around roof penetrations is one of the most scrutinized parts of that spec. Reusing old flashing instead of installing new flashing at every solar mounting point is the single most common way a roofing warranty gets compromised on a solar reroof. The flashing is old, it wasn't sized or sealed for the new roofing system, and a manufacturer inspecting a claim later can usually tell.
Other things that can void a roofing warranty during this kind of project: improper nailing patterns disturbed during panel removal and reinstallation, decking left unrepaired under a mounting point, and sealant substituted for proper flashing to save time.
What Actually Voids a Solar Warranty During a Reroof
Solar manufacturers and installers tie their warranties to correct handling and reinstallation, not just the equipment itself. The most common ways a solar warranty gets voided during a reroof:
Panels removed or reinstalled by someone who isn't a certified, licensed installer for that equipment.
Physical damage to a panel's frame, glass, or junction box during removal, storage, or reinstallation, even minor cracking can void the product warranty.
Racking or mounting hardware reused in a way the manufacturer doesn't approve, or reinstalled without the torque specs the original installation followed.
No recommissioning report confirming the system was tested and performing correctly after reconnection.
The Documentation That Actually Protects You
Warranty disputes come down to paperwork more often than people expect. Before a reroof starts, get in writing: which company is licensed for the electrical disconnect and reconnect, what flashing product and installation method will be used at each mounting point, and who is responsible if a leak or a system fault shows up at a panel mounting location afterward. After the work is done, keep the recommissioning report that shows production numbers before and after. It's the single best piece of evidence that the system came back online correctly, and it's often the first thing a manufacturer asks for if a warranty claim comes up later.
Why One Coordinated Team Beats Two Separate Contractors
When the same company, or a company with a direct, ongoing partnership, handles both the roofing and the solar coordination, there's one point of accountability instead of two companies each able to point at the other. That matters most exactly when something goes wrong two years later, which is usually when flashing and mounting issues actually surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing solar panels for a roof replacement void the solar warranty?
Not automatically. It voids the warranty only if the removal, storage, or reinstallation isn't done according to the manufacturer's requirements, typically meaning a certified installer, undamaged equipment, and a documented recommissioning afterward.
How long is a typical solar panel warranty?
Most manufacturers offer a 25-year product and performance warranty on the panels themselves. Inverters run shorter, usually 10 to 12 years for string inverters, and installer workmanship warranties vary widely, often 2 to 10 years.
Who is responsible if a leak shows up at a solar mounting point after a reroof?
It depends on what caused it and what the contract specifies. This is exactly why getting responsibility in writing before the project starts matters. Without it, a roofing company and a solar company can each point to the other.
Do I need my original solar installer involved in a reroof, or can any licensed solar company do it?
Check your specific warranty terms first. Some manufacturers require the original installer or an authorized partner to perform any removal and reinstallation to keep the warranty valid; others just require a licensed, certified installer of that equipment type.
Keep Both Warranties Intact
Impact Energy & Roofing coordinates the roofing and solar sides of a reroof as one accountable process across Denver, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo, so there's no gap for a warranty dispute to fall into. Call now to talk through what that coordination looks like for your specific solar system.