Here’s a little-known fact about residential and commercial solar systems: wildlife damage is a real problem. Wildlife can affect system efficiency, lifespan, and create safety risks for both homeowners and business owners. The solution? Proactive prevention.
Preventing Vermin Damage and Other Solar Hazards
Article from | Silfab Solar
The Problem with Wildlife and Pests
Solar arrays are magnets for animals like birds, squirrels, mice, and raccoons, which are drawn to them for opportunities to nest and forage. Scratching and burrowing will damage system components, while droppings permanently corrode panel surfaces. Pest movement can loosen wires and mounting systems, potentially causing panels to become loose or even detach. Nests plus moisture often lead to water seepage, roof rot, and mold growth, all of which weaken the structural integrity of a building and bring health problems.
Worse, there’s the matter of fire and electrocution. Animal nests and debris block airflow beneath the panels, causing them to overheat. Debris buildup can cause uneven temperatures across panels, creating the dreaded “hot spots” that lower efficiency and increase the possibility of fire. Exposed wires from chewing bring fire and electrocution hazards. Pests can also damage rapid shutdown systems, which are vital in the event of a fire, because these systems often come with easily accessible electronics on the back of each panel.
All these problems lead to increased long-term maintenance costs, accelerated component wear, lower system ROI, and a reduction in property value and salability.
Take a Proactive Approach to Preventing Wildlife Damage
The good news is that there are strategies solar system owners and installers can use to prevent wildlife and pest infestations.
Physical barriers are an effective way to seal off the area between the roof and the module frame, blocking access to the space under the panels. Barriers generally feature mesh guards made of galvanized steel with a polyester coating, or perforated aluminum and polyester-coated sheet metal, providing durable and weather-resistant protection. Specialized barriers, known as critter guards, prevent rodents, other small mammals, and nesting birds from entering. Protective skirts around the perimeter prevent vermin from climbing up from the ground or roof edges, and wire spikes stop birds from perching or nesting. All these barrier types can be custom-fitted for any system.
Methods for installing critter guards include rail mount, adhesive, and clip-based offerings that attach to the module frame. The rail mount method puts the mesh directly on the system racking components via self-tapping screws or reusable clips. These attachment methods ensure easy serviceability later and provide strong attachment points that can withstand the pressure of snow or wind. Adhesive-backed guards are quick and easy to install, and they have a durable bond. The drawback is that they are not reusable if the system needs adjustments after installation. Specialty clips called J-hooks have similar pros and cons, with the added wrinkle that a frame with a flange on its underside is required.
Solar racking providers have designed solutions to address issues such as installation complexity, non-reusability, and high costs. Unirac, for example, has a unique cap and mesh kit, called Guardian, that is a secure, aesthetically pleasing, and affordable, reusable metal clip, plastic cap, and mesh combo that streamlines the installation process and allows for future adjustments.
Many Critter Guard solutions, including Guardian, require a sizable flange to clip onto. Silfab Solar modules have a relatively large flange on both the long and short sides of the module and are perfectly suited for critter guard solutions, as this design feature makes installing critter guards easy. Here is a quick video of Unirac installing their critter guard solution, starting on the short side of the module, then turning the corner and installing another clip on the long side.
Non-physical pest deterrents, such as light, high-frequency sounds, and unappealing odors, can supplement physical barriers or be used in systems where physical barriers are not feasible, although their long-term efficacy varies. Ultimately, preventive protective measures taken during installation or before damage mean a fraction of the expense required to repair and retrofit later.
Recognizing Signs of Pest Problems
Regular inspections and system monitoring detect early signs of pest activity, allowing for prompt intervention. Inspections by service professionals are ideal, but business owners and homeowners should also do a regular visual check for telltale signs such as droppings, nests, chewing, and wire damage, especially in Spring during nesting season and in Fall as animals prepare for Winter. If preventative measures are not taken in a timely manner, some infestations can become severe enough to require professional pest removal services before a solar service company can repair the damage to panels and wiring.
Smart System Design for Long-Term Pest Prevention
Solar installers who include critter prevention as part of their service demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding owner investment and ensuring system reliability. Wise businesses and homeowners choose installers who grasp both the technical aspects of system design and know how to protect it from damage. Companies such as Unirac partner with installers to provide best-practice training and design support to prevent pest infestations.
Proactively mitigating the headaches that come with critter invasion is essential for achieving peace of mind for system owners and customer satisfaction for the solar installer.
This article was written in conjunction with Unirac, a provider of superior solar mounting systems. Visit Unirac for more information.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag
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