Removing and reinstalling a typical 6.6 kW solar system for roof work costs about A$1,200 to A$1,900 in Australia, according to two published guides read in November 2026. Larger systems, steep roofs, scaffolding and any switchboard work push the bill higher. Disposing of panels permanently is a separate cost, and no national fee exists as at November 2026. Prices below are published ranges, not quotes.
Key facts
- As at November 2026, GoSolarQuotes (a solar quote site) puts removing and reinstalling an existing Australian solar system at A$1,200 to A$1,900 in its January 2026 price guide.
- A Brisbane guide by Your Solar Network, dated 28 October 2025, publishes A$60 to A$85 plus GST per panel for temporary removal and reinstallation on a single-storey home, and A$960 to A$1,530 plus GST for a 6.6 kW system.
- Scaffolding adds A$300 to A$500 a week for a basic residential setup, according to the same Your Solar Network guide.
- A pv magazine Australia opinion piece of 13 May 2026 says recycling an Australian solar panel costs about A$28 and landfill about A$4.50, without citing a source for either figure.
- No national solar panel recycling fee is set as at November 2026. A draft New South Wales scheme is expected to start in early 2028, with submissions closing on 16 November 2026, according to Energy Matters (7 October 2026).
- A new 6.6 kW system installed in 2026 in a zone 3 postcode such as Sydney or Perth earns 45 small-scale technology certificates (STCs), worth about A$1,800 at the Clean Energy Regulator’s A$40 clearing house price (Solar Cobber calculation).
How much does it cost to remove and reinstall solar panels?
Published guides put removal and reinstallation of a household system at roughly A$1,000 to A$2,000 for a typical size, charged mainly by panel count. Panels and wiring come off before the roofer works, then go back on and are tested.
The table below shows the only Australian dollar prices found on pages opened in November 2026. Several other Australian installer and roofing pages discuss the job but publish no figures, so they are not used.
| Source | What it covers | Published price | Date and basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoSolarQuotes | Remove and reinstall an existing system | A$1,200 to A$1,900 | Published 7 January 2026; national, no city split |
| Your Solar Network (Brisbane) | Temporary removal and reinstall, 6.6 kW (16 to 20 panels) | A$1,200 to A$1,900 | 28 October 2025; the guide’s headline range for a typical system |
| Your Solar Network (Brisbane) | Per panel, single-storey home | A$60 to A$85 plus GST | Same guide |
| Your Solar Network (Brisbane) | Case study: 5 kW, 20 panels, Chermside | A$1,700 plus GST (A$85 a panel) | Same guide |
Both sites generate installer leads, so treat the prices as indicative. They agree on the range for a typical system.
One figure does not fit. GoSolarQuotes also states A$335 per panel for removal and reinstall, which for 15 panels would be about A$5,000 and contradicts its own A$1,200 to A$1,900 range. This guide does not use the A$335 figure.
Cost by system size
Your Solar Network publishes estimated ranges excluding GST for three sizes, shown here because the cost scales with panel count.
| System size | Low (ex GST) | High (ex GST) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | A$600 | A$1,020 |
| 6.6 kW | A$960 | A$1,530 |
| 10 kW | A$1,440 | A$2,210 |
- Low
- High
Source: Your Solar Network, cost of solar panel removal and reinstallation (Brisbane), 28 October 2025.
View the data as a table
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | A$600 | A$1,020 |
| 6.6 kW | A$960 | A$1,530 |
| 10 kW | A$1,440 | A$2,210 |
Removal and reinstallation of a 10 kW system costs more than double a 4 kW system in this guide (A$1,440 to A$2,210 against A$600 to A$1,020), because the work follows panel count.
What else adds to the bill?
Access and extras decide whether a job lands at the low or high end. Your Solar Network lists scaffolding at A$300 to A$500 a week for a basic residential setup, and a switchboard upgrade at “a few hundred to over a thousand dollars” if one is needed.
GoSolarQuotes adds that the original installer may charge less. None of the pages opened prices storeys, roof pitch or old wiring.
Who is allowed to do the removal?
A licensed electrician or accredited solar installer should do it, not the roofer and not the owner. The Aussie Solar Guide article of 15 October 2026 cites Australian Government guidance saying solar components should be removed or replaced by a licensed electrician, and warns that equipment can stay energised with the mains off. GoSolarQuotes also calls it not a job for DIYers.
Ask your roofer to arrange the electrician and confirm who is responsible if a panel cracks. Find local installers through the Solar Cobber directory and read how to choose a solar installer first.
Is it cheaper to reinstall or replace the system?
For a system in good condition, reinstalling is much cheaper than replacing it. A 6.6 kW reinstall at A$1,200 to A$1,900 is about 13 to 32 per cent of SolarQuotes’ A$6,000 to A$9,000 range for a fully installed new 6.6 kW system (Solar Cobber calculation: 1,200 divided by 9,000 is 13 per cent; 1,900 divided by 6,000 is 32 per cent).
- Low
- High
Source: SolarQuotes panel cost page (last updated 12 October 2026); GoSolarQuotes (7 January 2026); Your Solar Network (28 October 2025). SolarQuotes does not state whether its table is before or after the STC rebate.
View the data as a table
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| New 6.6 kW system (SolarQuotes) | A$6,000 | A$9,000 |
| Reinstall (GoSolarQuotes) | A$1,200 | A$1,900 |
| Reinstall (Brisbane, ex GST) | A$960 | A$1,530 |
Reinstalling a 6.6 kW system costs a fraction of replacing it, even at the top of the published range.
Replacing makes sense when the panels are old or damaged, the inverter is near end of life, or the roof job is a chance to add capacity. Panels are commonly 440 to 475 W according to the Solar Choice price index (November 2026), so a new 6.6 kW system needs about 15 panels. See solar panel sizes and dimensions for roof space.
What happens to STCs when you replace a system?
A new system installed in 2026 can earn STCs, and the count falls each year. The Clean Energy Regulator’s formula is system size in kW multiplied by the zone rating multiplied by the deeming period in years (5 years for 2026, 4 for 2027, down to 1 in 2030). Its page, last updated 29 October 2026, says entitlements depend on factors including when the system was installed.
That page does not say how a replacement system or relocated panels are treated. Before you rely on STCs for a replacement, ask the installer in writing and the regulator if the answer is unclear. Reinstalling the same panels on the same roof is not a new installation.
- 2026 install
- 2027 install
Source: Solar Cobber calculation: 6.6 kW x zone rating x deeming period (5 years in 2026, 4 in 2027); Clean Energy Regulator zone ratings and deeming schedule, checked 14 November 2026. Sydney also stands for Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth (zone 3); Melbourne also stands for Hobart (zone 4).
View the data as a table
| 2026 install | 2027 install | |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Springs | 53 | 42 |
| Darwin | 50 | 40 |
| Sydney | 45 | 36 |
| Melbourne | 39 | 31 |
Waiting a year to replace a system cuts the certificates by about a fifth in every zone: a new 6.6 kW system in a zone 3 city falls from 45 STCs in 2026 to 36 in 2027.
| Location | Zone | Rating (MWh per kW per year) | STCs, 6.6 kW, 2026 | Value at A$40 | STCs, 6.6 kW, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Springs | 1 | 1.622 | 53 | A$2,120 | 42 |
| Darwin | 2 | 1.536 | 50 | A$2,000 | 40 |
| Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra | 3 | 1.382 | 45 | A$1,800 | 36 |
| Melbourne, Hobart | 4 | 1.185 | 39 | A$1,560 | 31 |
The Clean Energy Regulator sets the clearing house price at A$40 excluding GST (page last updated 14 September 2026). Demand Manager’s October 2026 report shows certificates trading at A$39.85 to A$39.90. See the STC explainer for how the discount reaches your quote.
Solar Cobber calculation: for a zone 3 home, a replacement worth 45 STCs is about A$1,800, close to the A$1,200 to A$1,900 cost of simply reinstalling. That is not a reason to replace a healthy system, but it shows the discount on a replacement is similar in size to the reinstall bill.
What happens to your feed-in tariff when you change the system?
Altering a system can end a legacy premium feed-in tariff. Our South Australia guide says the 44c distributor tariff runs to 30 June 2028 for existing recipients “unless they alter the system or add a battery”. Queensland’s Solar Bonus Scheme 44c tariff also runs to 1 July 2028, per our feed-in tariff tracker.
We could not open a Queensland Government page that states the rule for modified systems, so ask your retailer or distributor before any change if you are on a premium rate. Confirm in writing whether a reinstall counts as an alteration. See feed-in tariffs explained for current rates.
Does removal affect the warranty?
It can. GoSolarQuotes warns that damage during removal could void warranties, and a Fremantle roofing company’s guide advises following the manufacturer’s guidelines for removal, storage and reinstallation to keep panel warranties intact. The Aussie Solar Guide says Australian Government guidance separates product warranties from workmanship coverage, and advises asking each provider how its terms apply.
Ask for the following in writing before work starts:
- Who is liable for a panel cracked during removal or storage.
- Whether the installer’s workmanship warranty covers the reinstall.
- Whether the original installer still operates, as many have closed (see solar company failures).
- A commissioning test and a photo record of inverter readings before and after.
How much does it cost to dispose of old solar panels?
Permanent disposal costs more than most owners expect, and the only published per-panel figures are opinion or proposals. A pv magazine Australia opinion piece by an operations and maintenance executive (13 May 2026) says recycling costs about A$28 a panel and landfill about A$4.50, without a source. Energy Matters (7 October 2026) reports that the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering suggested a fee of roughly A$10 to A$20 per panel at installation. That is a proposal, not a charge.
Source: pv magazine Australia, 13 May 2026; Energy Matters, 7 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| A$ per panel | |
|---|---|
| Recycling (pv magazine, May 2026) | A$28.00 |
| Proposed fee, high (AATSE) | A$20.00 |
| Proposed fee, low (AATSE) | A$10.00 |
| Landfill (pv magazine, May 2026) | A$4.50 |
Recycling a panel costs about six times as much as landfill on the pv magazine figures, which is why most panels do not get recycled.
On those numbers, recycling a 15-panel 6.6 kW array would cost about A$420 and landfill about A$68 (Solar Cobber calculation: 15 x A$28 and 15 x A$4.50). The NSW draft regulation covers panels only, not inverters or batteries, and would fund recycling through producers or a removal fee, with no amount given.
Second Life Solar removes old panels for free as part of an upgrade, according to Energy Matters (28 September 2026), and takes panels under roughly 15 years old for reuse, per the NSW Government (28 March 2024). Ask any installer replacing your system where the old panels will go. The recycling guide covers drop-off options.
What to check on your quote
- A line item for removal, storage, reinstallation and testing, priced per panel.
- Who does the electrical work and their licence details.
- Whether scaffolding, switchboard work and new mounts or flashings are included.
- What happens if a panel or inverter fails after reinstallation.
- Where old equipment goes if you are replacing, and any disposal fee.
- Your feed-in tariff terms, in writing, before any change.
If the inverter is also near end of life, price a replacement at the same time; see solar inverter repair and replacement cost. Compare quotes using our quote checklist.
FAQ
How much does it cost to remove solar panels for a new roof?
Expect about A$1,200 to A$1,900 for a typical 6.6 kW system, removed and reinstalled. That range comes from GoSolarQuotes (January 2026) and a Brisbane guide by Your Solar Network (October 2025). Scaffolding and switchboard work are extra.
How much does it cost per panel to remove and reinstall solar panels?
A Brisbane guide publishes A$60 to A$85 plus GST per panel for a single-storey home. Other prices differ by region and roof, and GoSolarQuotes’ stated A$335 per panel does not match its own system range, so ask for a per-panel quote.
Can I remove solar panels myself for roof work?
No. Panels can stay live in daylight and equipment can stay energised with the mains off, so a licensed electrician or accredited installer should do it. DIY removal can also void warranties, according to GoSolarQuotes.
Does reinstalling solar panels void the warranty?
It can if the panels are damaged or handled against the manufacturer’s guidelines. Get the installer to confirm in writing who is liable for damage and whether workmanship cover applies to the reinstall.
Will I get new STCs if I reinstall the same panels?
Probably not, because the same panels on the same roof are not a new installation, but the Clean Energy Regulator page opened does not address it. Ask the regulator or installer. A genuinely new system earns STCs, 45 for a 6.6 kW system in a zone 3 city in 2026.
What happens to my feed-in tariff if I change my solar system?
A legacy premium tariff may be lost if the system is altered. South Australia’s 44c tariff, which runs to 30 June 2028, is lost if the owner alters the system or adds a battery, according to our SA guide. Check with your retailer before any change.
How much does it cost to dispose of old solar panels in Australia?
There is no set national fee as at November 2026. An opinion piece puts recycling at about A$28 a panel and landfill at about A$4.50, and a proposed installation fee is A$10 to A$20 per panel.
Is it cheaper to replace than reinstall my solar system?
No, reinstalling is usually far cheaper. Reinstalling a 6.6 kW system costs A$1,200 to A$1,900 against A$6,000 to A$9,000 for a new system, though replacement may be worth it for old or damaged panels.
Sources
- GoSolarQuotes, Solar Panel Removal And Reinstall Cost: 2026 Price Guide (7 January 2026)
- Your Solar Network, cost of solar panel removal and reinstallation in Brisbane (28 October 2025)
- SolarQuotes, solar panel cost (updated 12 October 2026)
- Clean Energy Regulator, calculate STC entitlements (updated 29 October 2026)
- Clean Energy Regulator, buy and sell STCs (updated 14 September 2026)
- pv magazine Australia, recycling is the missing piece (13 May 2026)
- Energy Matters, solar panel recycling fee (7 October 2026)
- Energy Matters, what happens to old solar panels (28 September 2026)
- Aussie Solar Guide, solar panels roof repair removal (15 October 2026)
- NSW Government, Second Life Solar (28 March 2024)
- Fremantle Roofing Services, roof repair with solar panels
About this guide
Written by the Solar Cobber editorial team from independent desk research checked in November 2026. Solar Cobber is a free directory that may earn referral or advertising fees from installers; commercial relationships never affect our content. This is general information, not financial advice. Spotted an error? Tell us at /contact.
Filed under Maintenance
Back to blog
