Squirrels and Solar

[Vic99]

At least one squirrel has built a nest of leaves and sticks under my panels in the space that the racking provides between the roof and the panel underside. I estimate it is partially under each of 4 panels and is 5 ft x 5 ft. The six panels are located on top of a dormer.

One of the installer company reps says he's going to ask around to see if I should be concerned. He says that their standard practice is to pull the wires quite tight to the panels and of course at some point they go into a metal tube.

The nest would not be easy for me to get to.

Fortunately I have microinverters so I can see if a panel is negatively affected. It/They has been there a week and so far no noticeable performance difference.

I live in New England. Should I be concerned about temperature affects, fire, other? Thanks.

[Sunking]

Squirrels and electrical systems do no tmix. Many of a home has burned down from tree rats chewing on wires.

[russ]

That mess needs to be cleaned at the earliest.

[maple flats]

squirrels definately chew the insulation on wires. They will cause a big problem if allowed to remain. As Sunking said, it could burn the house down. DC power is being generated by the panels, it will arc much farther than AC. Then you have AC by virtue of the micro inverters. These are then wired to a junction box. Any wire exposed is at risk. most likely everything after the J box is in conduit so the biggest issue is before the conduit starts.
An exterminator may be able to solve the problem.

[fishdude]

squirrels

Hey Vic,

Had the same issue. I have moved the offending rodents with Have-a-heart traps. I'm the new homeowner and heard them up there at night. I have not inspected the units but I have no movement up there since I moved them 13 miles away. 6 miles wasn't far enough...

[aaron]

squirrels - nature's speed bump

[Spiffy Solar]

Screen them out as soon as possible.

Remember, you got solar to save money. Don't forfeit that savings by risking a downed system and costly repairs.

If they chew on the wires, it can cost as much to fix as the labor on the original installation. True, micro-inverters can help, but when there are not micro-inverters and squirrel damage, all panels must be removed and checked. And repairing lead wires that are damages within fractions of an inch of the panel boxes or micro-inverters is no easy task.

Rodents need to chew continually to keep their teeth from growing too long, and squirrels love the texture of PV lead wires. We have heard of systems where every every single panel was ruined, in very short order.

This photo shows what can happen to an unlucky squirrel, you can imagine what can happen to the wires.

Lastly, if you care about your panel warranted, you need to protect it without doing damage to the panels. One way to do that is available from

Mod note If you wish to advertise contact uesrname Jason or our sponser Solartown.

Fried Squirrel-Preferred-Solar Revolution-w-Copyright-LowRes.jpg

[rhawkman]

I'm thinking squirrel and dumplings.