squirrel nest with young ones under solar panels on roof

[wltyson]

How do I get rid of a squirrel's nest under solar panels our garage roof? Just discovered the nest after seeing rather young squirrels scampering on our roof top.

[Naptown]

I like something about 22 caliber but you have to be a real good shot to not damage the panels.
There are folks who will trap them for you. I would then put some screening around the array to prevent them from coming back.

[wltyson]

Homeowner

What gauge wire or netting is required so that squirrels don't chew through the netting? Squirrels are very nasty tree rats with strong teeth. Our neighbor said he would see if he can pick them off with his pellet gun since we live in a development with neighbor not far away. Of course, no shooting pellets or bullets toward houses would be allowed. The young critters are coming out of the nest. We've seen them scampering on the roof; don't know where momma is yet but we definitely need to get any adults or they'll be back again with another nest. Once they nest somewhere it is extremely hard to redirect them.

[Sunking]

What gauge wire or netting is required so that squirrels don't chew through the netting?

None unless it is steel. Best way is to just get up there and remove the nest, th eadults will give it up and move on.

[wltyson]

Homeowner

Ok, thanks!

[tandrews]

Rat traps and peanut butter.
Pellet gun works too, but either way you have carcasses lying around.
Fuzzy arsed rats indeed.

[wltyson]

Homeowner

Thanks, we trimmed some trees pretty hard this morning and removed the squirrels and nest from under the panels. Hopefully, that will solve our problem for now.

[inetdog]

Make sure they did not chew on the wiring insulation while looking for nest-making materials.

[wltyson]

Homeowner

The guy who removed the nest this morning thought all of the wiring was in tact. Thanks.

[Mike90250]

BBQ sauce ?

To prevent returns, you can try stuffing rolledup clinders of Galvi Hardeware Cloth ( 3/4" mesh) around the edges. Don't let the galvi touch the alum panel frames.

[Spiffy Solar]

You must prevent them from re-entering.

INETDOG is right, be sure they don't come back and chew on the wires. Many a system has been brought down here in Colorado by squirrels. They, and all rodents, must continually chew to keep their teeth worn down. And PV wires are a texture that they love. Racoons, on the other hand, seem to go for the rubber boots on flashings. Pigeons, though they do less real damage, are an even more prevalent problem.

Three-quarter inch hardware cloth is too large. A juvenile squirrel can enter such a hole (it would probably never get out, though). Half inch does the trick. And MIKE is right, you can just roll it up and put it under there, though I don't know it could possibly not touch the panel frames. Nineteen gauge has just the right amount of flexibility and strength. I use PVC coated which is black, so doesn't show. Fold it around a board like a 4 x 4 or something slightly larger than needed to make a "C" shape. Squeeze this under the panel edge

[toddbailey]

Funny that this problem isn't noted in any of the installation manuals...

And yet another item to deal with...

[Spiffy Solar]

2014 NEC may include this issue

isn't noted in any of the installation manuals

From what I've heard, you will be seeing something in the 2014 NEC. It is unclear if the issue at hand is wiring access prevention or fire suppression (slowing spread from underside to open rooftop area), but some sort of skirting is rumored to be a new requirement.