The journey of installing solar can be a big learning curve for most homeowners, with the focus being the installer of choice, layout, equipment, financials, etc. Often, the discussion of long-term operation and maintenance gets left behind, either by the homeowner or, unfortunately, sometimes the installer. With a lifespan of up to 25 years, long-term operation and maintenance are imperative to ensure your installed solar asset is operating at full production with minimal costs and surprises.
In the Midwest, the most common pests to a solar installation are birds and squirrels. Birds may build a nest and leave some debris, but damage to the system is unlikely. Squirrels on the other hand, are the primary culprit to impacting installed equipment and production due to nesting and chewing wires.
As we soon roll into winter, it’s important to walk around your residence and inspect any tree branches or bushes that are within 10 feet of your roof line. We’ve seen squirrels jump up to 20 feet onto a roof, but a 10-foot gap is a good/reasonable baseline. If a squirrel has access to your roof, there is a good chance they will find the slightly elevated solar panels as a comfortable shelter providing protection from the elements, warmth, and racking to support a nest.
If a squirrel nest is left undiscovered or unaware of the potential damage, within a short period of time the system can experience “wire chew” which exposes the solar wires from the insulation. Wire chew from squirrels can cause system faults, string failures, etc. by damaging micro inverter and panel wiring leads.
Wire chew can lead to unexpected and usually out of pocket cost. Unfortunately, damage from rodents is not covered by a majority of insurance providers. That said, any replacement equipment, labor, and production shortfalls are left with the system owner if preventative maintenance or monitoring is not properly implemented.
Why it matters: Birds, squirrels, and potential debris under panels and left un-treated or addressed can lead to damage wiring and system downtime. Keeping a keen eye on your operating system to prevent roof access to critters by taking the following actions may prove to minimize out of pocket costs down the line.
If you notice squirrel activity on your roof and/or think there might be a nest, it’s best to call your installer as soon as possible to come onsite and remove the nest.
Please note: If a squirrel has established this as it’s “home”, then it’s possible they will become rather territorial and relentless in their pursuit of going back to their home. If you think about it, most animals, including humans, would act in the same manner.
Process:
Step 1: We recommend system owners take a walk around their solar array annually for a visual inspection. If any tree branches or shrubs are within 10 feet of the roof line, we highly recommend trimming branches, either DIY or with a hired professional. Bonus: If branches are trimmed, there is a good chance that may lead to higher production from the solar installation as well.
Step 2: In some cases, trees may need to be cut down. We usually advise against this unless absolutely necessary and approved by a certified arborist.
Step 3: Reach out to your incumbent installer or a local solar service company to provide some insight on whether critter protection is needed.
Step 4: If necessary, have a local solar company install wire meshing on the entire perimeter of the array.
Considerations:
Best installed during a new install or a detach and reset roof replacement but can be retrofitted anytime.
A heavy duty UV-resistant mesh is highly recommend around the entire perimeter of the array, leaving no gaps or holes for critter entry.
The installation is non-penetrating, preserving roof warranties.
Quality critter guard material and installation, providing firm protection around the perimeter of the array, is often more expensive than some might think. However, in almost all cases this preventative measure is significantly less expensive that replacing damaged equipment out of pocket paired with system down time.
Not every installer is around for the long haul. Incentives like SREC/REC payments can stretch over 15–20 years, which is longer than many contractors stay in business. Having a reliable, experienced third-party service provider ensures your system remains safe, operational, and profitable.
At ilumen Solar, we see ourselves as partners for the lifetime of your solar investment, not just the day of installation.
