Squirrel issues

[NYHeel]

So I'm currently in mid installation process. Panels are all up and wired to the solaredge inverter. Just need the electrician to do the AC electrical work. They used a Unirac mounting system and the panels are raised from the roof a good few inches. I'm very concerned about squirrels getting under the panels and chewing the wiring. Besides the wiring damage, it seems like that could be a potential fire risk as well as a risk of the squirrels getting through my roof if they nest under the panels.

I'm in Northern NJ and we do have a lot of squirrels around here. I don't have any trees next to my roof but squirrels could get on the roof via my power and phone lines. Plus my wife was talking to the foreman for our installation and he said that he gets called out for a lot of squirrel related damage. He says they find the roofs with solar because it's so much cooler under the panels.

Should I ask my installers about putting in squirrel guard fencing around the bottom of the panels? Is this a common issue? I'm sure the fencing won't look very good but if it saves me the issues from dealing with squirrels and similar pests it would be worth it.

Or am I crazy and just over worried?

[Mike90250]

either get a snake, or the squirrel guard. Might have to clean leaves out of the guards, but easier than repairs

[ButchDeal]

either get a snake, or the squirrel guard. Might have to clean leaves out of the guards, but easier than repairs

I like the snake option for the Black rat snake, will eat squirrels and likes heights and black to match modules

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/black_rat_snake.htm

[jonatuna]

Not crazy - it's a good idea.

I'm in Ottawa (Canada). Lots of squirrels here too. Our installer added a squirrel guard when the panels were installed, but they didn't do a great job, and the squirrels found a way in. It is just wire mesh along the whole perimeter of the system, so it actually it made a nice nest for the squirrels up against the inside of the mesh along the lower side. I noticed accumulated leaves (and plastic bags, bits of other garbage) last fall, and they came back and re-installed the whole thing with a better system to attach the mesh.

They said that some of the earlier systems that they installed without guards had issues with the squirrels chewing the wires, so yes it can be a problem.

[shet]

From what others have commented in the forum here, it seems to be a bad idea since leaves may get trapped thereby inhibiting the airflow. Is adding metal conduits around the wires under the panel feasible? Is there space for that?

[NYHeel]

I'm leaning towards doing the guards assuming it doesn't look horrendous. I'd also assume that the guards would do a decent job of keeping debris out of the underside of the panels without inhibiting airflow. But maybe I'm wrong. My understanding is that they typically look like mesh or wire fencing and should hopefully keep debris out as well. I can always buy a ladder and blow out the debris that gets in there.

My other concern is a wasp hive. I've had those in my shudders before and that's why I no longer have shudders. However, I don't think there's much I can do about that other than having my exterminator do regular checks.

[ButchDeal]

My other concern is a wasp hive. I've had those in my shudders before and that's why I no longer have shudders. However, I don't think there's much I can do about that other than having my exterminator do regular checks.

What is the issue with the wasp nests? they would be pretty far away from people up on the roof. I doubt wasps would like the environment as the modules themselves would get hot, thus eliminating mud daubers and the like.

[SunEagle]

What is the issue with the wasp nests? they would be pretty far away from people up on the roof. I doubt wasps would like the environment as the modules themselves would get hot, thus eliminating mud daubers and the like.

The problem with any type of insect hive is the large number of those little critters that sometimes like to bother us old folk on the ground.

PIA for some and dangerous for people that are allergic to the venom from the stings.

[NYHeel]

What is the issue with the wasp nests? they would be pretty far away from people up on the roof. I doubt wasps would like the environment as the modules themselves would get hot, thus eliminating mud daubers and the like.

I guess it's better on the roof than where my shudders used to be but they tend fly out of the nest and hang around my front door, at least I'd think. Hopefully you're right about the heat from the panels. It certainly makes sense. Anyway I'd rather have wasps than squirrels. At least the wasps won't ruin the wiring or, even worse, break through my roof.

[ButchDeal]

I guess it's better on the roof than where my shudders used to be but they tend fly out of the nest and hang around my front door, at least I'd think. Hopefully you're right about the heat from the panels. It certainly makes sense. Anyway I'd rather have wasps than squirrels. At least the wasps won't ruin the wiring or, even worse, break through my roof.

wasps will keep the squirrels away and will not bother the black rat snake.

[bcroe]

wasps will keep the squirrels away and will not bother the black rat snake.

There is a regular parade of deer, raccoons, and ground squirrels past my ground mount, but so far nobody seems interested in biting
it. No burned carcasses. I did put up an electric fence for the neighbor and originally considered one for the array, but it doesn't seem
to be necessary (yet). Bruce Roe