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As solar energy gains popularity, more homeowners are investing in solar panels to harness clean, renewable energy. Squirrels, pigeons, and other small birds and animals often find the space beneath solar panels an ideal nesting spot, leading to potential damage and reduced efficiency. In this blog, we’ll explore why critters prefer solar panels for nesting, how it harms your investment, and the importance of installing critter guards, also known as pigeon guards or bird barriers, for your solar system in Utah’s changing climate.
Shelter from the Elements
Critters looking for cover from inclement weather will find a dry, shaded area between the solar panels and the roof. This area provides shelter from the sun, wind, rain, and snow, making it the perfect place to build a nest.
Warmth
Solar panels absorb sunlight throughout the day and generate residual heat. This warmth attracts critters and birds, as the heat is the perfect environment to incubate their eggs and young.
Safety from Predators
Larger predators struggle to access the area beneath solar panels, making it an attractive hiding spot for smaller critters such as squirrels, pigeons, other birds and their young.
Access to Food Sources
Critters such as squirrel and birds are often attracted to the debris that accumulates around solar panels, such as leaves, twigs, and insects. This natural residue can provide food, encouraging critters to establish their nests and continually add more to the existing debris.
Chewed Wires and Cables
Nesting critters like squirrels and pigeons chew the cables and wires, which can lead to short circuits, potential fire hazards, and reduced system efficiencies. These critters have a history of causing solar related fires.
Blocked Ventilation
Critters build their nests with leaves, feathers, and twigs, and the accumulation not only is a fire hazard in itself, but also results in blocked ventilation. A solar panel requires proper ventilation to maintain optimal temperature. Insufficient ventilation can cause overheating and damage the components of your solar system.
Physical Damage to Panels
Larger critters, like raccoons, can cause physical damage to the panels as they try to access the space underneath. These critters can crack the glass surface, dislodge panels, and damage the mounting hardware, leading to severe damage of your solar panels.
Increased Maintenance Costs
The presence of critters under your solar panels can lead to frequent maintenance issues. From repairing chewed wires to clearing out nests and debris, and even the risk of roof damage from the acidity of the critters’ feces, the cost of addressing these problems can add up quickly.
Warmer Winters
As Utah experiences milder winters, critters may be more active year-round, increasing the likelihood of nesting under solar panels. The warm, sheltered space beneath the panels becomes even more attractive as a nesting site during colder months.
Increased Storms
The likelihood of stronger storms means there will be a high chance of more debris buildup around solar panels. This waste may attract animals seeking materials to build nests, which will encourage them to live under your panels.
Enhanced Durability
More powerful and durable critter guards can withstand repeated attempts by determined critters to get inside. It is also important to use material that allows the proper ventilation underneath your solar panels to keep your panels cool and operating at optimal levels.
Comprehensive Protection
Effective critter/pigeon guards should cover the whole perimeter of your solar system to prevent openings for creatures to scavenge. Professional installation is highly recommended to ensure that the guards are properly fitted without damaging your panels.
Weather Resistance
Quality critter guards are designed to withstand inclement weather like wind, rain, and snow. This guarantees that your guards will continue functioning for many years despite Utah’s shifting climate.
Maintenance
While critter/pigeon guards, also known as bird barriers, reduce the need for expensive maintenance and repairs by keeping critters and debris out, regular solar panel maintenance ensures that your solar system will operate at peak efficiency. Using a company that provides regular cleaning services and inspects your critter/pigeon guard installation every year will guarantee your panels will never have to deal with the problems an infestation can create.
Connect with Wash Me Solar today!
Contact us at (801)210-1387 or visit us at https://indigo-kudu-268127.hostingersite.com/ to get a free quote for our high grade critter guards for solar panels. We assure your satisfaction and offer a lifetime warranty for our customers.
