How Much Does It Cost to Repair Solar Panels? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to repair solar panels is $861, based on data from 775 verified projects by Angi Pros. Most homeowners pay between $238 and $1,486, with the final cost driven by the type of damage, the complexity of your solar energy system, and where your panels are located. If your roof also needs attention at the same time, budget an additional $360 to $1,550 for those repairs.

Solar Panel Repair Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Severe weather events like hurricanes and hail can seriously damage your solar panel system, and in some cases it may be more cost-efficient to replace the faulty panels or the entire system rather than repair it. Full panel removal runs $400 to $600 before factoring in the price of roof repairs and the cost of new panels. When repairs do make sense, several factors influence what you'll pay.

Type of Repair

The type of repair is the single biggest driver of your solar panel repair cost, with jobs ranging from a simple blown fuse to a shattered glass panel. Costs vary widely depending on the specific issue, so the table below breaks down repair costs by type.

Broken Glass

Repairing broken glass on a solar panel costs $120 to $550, depending on the severity of the damage. For small chips or cracks, a contractor will fill the area with epoxy or apply stained-glass tape, while large cracks typically require a full glass replacement. Panels with broken glass continue to function but operate at reduced efficiency, so your contractor will assess the panel's output to determine whether a full panel replacement makes more financial sense than a glass repair.

Broken Panel

When the damage goes beyond the glass and affects the solar cells themselves, you can expect to spend $200 to $550 for a replacement panel or replacement tile if you have solar shingles.

Loose or Chewed Wiring

Repairing loose or damaged wiring on your solar panels costs $100 to $400, with damage typically caused by weather events like heavy snow collecting on your panels or pests such as squirrels chewing through the wiring. To make the repair, contractors may cut open the silicon inside the panel to access the back of the cell and resolder the wiring.

Rust and Corrosion

Repairing rust and corrosion on your solar panels costs $150 to $350, covering the mounting hardware or casing that degrades over time. A solar panel contractor will clean the affected area to remove loose rust and apply a protective coating to help prevent future corrosion.

Solar Inverter Replacement

A solar inverter converts the electricity your panels generate into usable power for your home, and inverter issues are the most common problem solar panel owners encounter. If yours is damaged, the cost to replace a solar inverter runs $150 to $350 for a microinverter or $800 to $2,500 for a string inverter. Because inverter health is so critical, solar contractor Vincent Curcie recommends prioritizing inverter maintenance to avoid more costly repairs down the line.

Battery

If your solar system includes a battery, replacement costs range from $300 to $15,000 depending on the battery's size. Larger batteries are required for bigger solar energy systems and are most common among homeowners who want to go fully off-grid, which is why they sit at the higher end of that range.

Solar Fuse

Replacing a solar fuse is one of the simpler repairs, costing $100 to $150, though replacing multiple fuses at once may push the total slightly higher.

Type of Solar Panel System

The type of solar panel system you have affects repair costs because replacement materials and system complexity both vary across panel types. Costs depend on which system you have, as shown in the breakdown below.

Size

Repairing a large solar energy system with numerous panels increases costs across the board, since more panels mean more labor time for both the repairs themselves and the post-repair inspection. Cleaning also takes longer on larger systems, adding to the overall time a contractor spends on your property.

Labor

A local solar panel professional charges $100 an hour for repair or replacement work, with labor divided across multiple tasks. Uninstalling existing mounting hardware runs $600, and each panel that needs individual repair adds another $100 to your total.

Distance From the Ground

Where your solar panels are installed has a direct impact on repair costs. Roof-mounted panels require additional time for access and hardware removal, while ground-mounted panels next to your home are easier to reach and generally cost less to repair.

Roof Grade

A steep roof pitch requires contractors to take additional safety precautions, which typically means bringing in more professionals to complete the repair and increases your overall cost. Have your roof grade information ready when requesting an estimate so the pro can give you an accurate quote.

Additional Roof Repairs

When the roof and solar panels need to be repaired at the same time, budget around $800 for the roof work, though most homeowners spend anywhere from $400 to $1,950 depending on the panels' location and the difficulty of the job. Costs vary significantly by the type of roof damage, as shown in the breakdown below.

Insurance and Warranties 

Most solar panels carry a warranty of 10 to 25 years, which can eliminate out-of-pocket repair costs if your panels are still covered. Homeowner's insurance may also help, though wind and hail damage are often excluded, and ground-mounted panels or a solar carport may require a separate add-on policy to be covered.

Additional Solar Panel Maintenance Services

Beyond repairs, performing regular maintenance on your solar panels is essential for protecting your system's output. Aim to clean your panels twice a year and clear debris after major storms, since dirt and debris can cause up to 30% in energy losses. Additional maintenance costs include.

• Cleaning: $15 to $35 per panel or $150 to $350 for the whole system

• Tree branch trimming: $250 to $750

• Debris removal: $75 to $250

• Yearly inspections: $150 to $300

Location 

Solar panel repair costs are heavily influenced by local labor rates, with higher prices in areas where labor costs are elevated or solar panel specialists are in short supply. City plays a major role in your location costs, as the breakdown below shows:

Should I Repair or Replace My Solar Panels?

Minor damage on solar panels—like small hairline cracks or loose wiring—can usually be fixed by a qualified contractor. Problems with voltage can damage electrical components over time, but something like a tiny crack may not significantly affect the electrical output. That said, you should replace your solar panels if:

• They’re severely damaged with several large cracks or chips

• You notice your energy bill creeping up to pre-panel levels

• Your panels are at the end of their lifespan

• Repairs will cost about the same as a replacement

Why You Should Hire a Solar Panel Pro

If you’re having issues with your solar panels, you should always call in a local solar panel pro to handle the repair. Repairing or replacing solar panels is not a DIY task for the average homeowner.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a solar panel pro

A solar panel pro charges about $100 an hour for repairs, and that cost is well justified given the complexity, safety risks, and specialized knowledge the work requires.

• Your solar panels may be under warranty, which means the cost of repair is covered. Check your contract and follow the steps to hire the right pro for the job.

• Solar panels are complex pieces of equipment. Incorrect fixes or installation can lead to major issues that could be even more expensive to repair.

• A wide range of problems could be causing your solar panels to malfunction. Only a trained and experienced pro can assess the issue and pinpoint the source of the problem.

• Solar panel repair poses serious fall risks from the roof, as well as the potential for electric shocks. Trained professionals know how to manage and avoid these injuries.

If you want to DIY solar panel repair

We do not recommend attempting to repair or replace your own solar panels under any circumstances. Solar panels are complex, expensive equipment, and they require specialized knowledge to install and operate.

However, you can reduce the cost of solar panel repair by regularly inspecting your system to catch any small issues before they become more expensive to fix. You can also use protective covers for your solar panels to prevent damage during storms, and taking care of the landscaping around your panels, such as cutting back overgrown trees, is another easy way to prevent damage.

How to Save on Solar Panel Repairs 

The best way to save on repairs is prevention. Fix issues as soon as they pop to avoid stressing your system and causing more damage over time. Beyond that, here are some tips to help you save money on solar panel repairs:

• Clean your system: Ideally, clean your solar panels twice a year. Remove overgrown branches or debris that could potentially fall on your system and damage it in the future.

• Use a protective cover: If you live in an area prone to severe weather, consider covering your panels with a soft or hardshell cover before a major storm. Keep in mind that your panels won’t have electrical output while they’re covered. 

• Install a pest guard: For homeowners dealing with chewed wires or bird nests, you can install a critter guard (sometimes called a pest barrier or bird guard). This is a protective mesh that still lets light through.

• Schedule an annual inspection: An annual inspection can catch issues before they become expensive repairs.

• Understand your warranty: Certain repairs are covered under warranty, but DIY repairs may void your warranty altogether. Understand your warranty so you know what’s covered and don’t have to unnecessarily spend money.

• Make sure your panels are at the right angle: Roof panels are ideally situated facing the Northern Hemisphere at an angle between 30 and 40 degrees. This helps rain, snow, hail, and other debris roll off the panels while maximizing electrical output.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.