Solar Panels Make Great Homes for Unwanted Guests

I recently had a call from a reader for a roof repair. With all the rain we’ve had recently, it has been a very busy summer for remodeling professionals but this call was a bit different than your average leak. The reader had solar panels installed a few years ago and not long after, she had noticed debris peeking from underneath. Fast forward to this summer’s deluge of rain and the leaks began. 

When I got to the house, I knew immediately what had happened. Solar panels not only attract heat but also create shelter, offering two incentives for critters to build nests. Birds are one thing but small animals such as squirrels will actually chew right through the solar panel wiring as well as the roof’s shingles. In this reader’s case, the squirrels had indeed made a meal of the roof itself, causing water to get right through the plywood and into the attic. The repair entailed removing the solar panels and patching the roof to ensure it wouldn’t be susceptible to more leaks come winter. 

If you’re wondering how common this problem is, the answer is very. A solar panel makes the perfect home for an unwanted guest. It offers shelter, warmth, and easy access to food and nest-building materials. Once an animal has built a nest, it’s almost guaranteed that they are going to cause some damage unless their home is removed. 

So what’s to stop the critters from coming back? If you’ve invested in solar panels, it’s worth also protecting them from potential damage. Most solar panel companies offer a guard that works just the same as a garden fence - it protects the solar panel and underlying roof from nesting birds and animals. Nests themselves reduce the airflow underneath a solar panel, causing the area to heat up and lessen the efficiency of the system. Animals like squirrels love to chew and wiring is just plain fun to chomp right through, so you need to stop them in their tracks. 

If you’re just considering solar, don’t forget to ask your provider for an animal control solution. For those of you who have panels that aren’t protected, there are plenty of options available. To prevent unwanted guests, it’s simple to use wire mesh, but the key is to make sure there are no gaps as rodents can push themselves through tiny, seemingly impossible spaces. As with any roof work, don’t try to install a DIY solution yourself unless you are very comfortable on a ladder and have the proper safety equipment. A roofing contractor or your solar panel installer will be able to help you do the job safely. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.