Critter Guard & Bird Proofing
The gap between a panel and the roof is shaded, sheltered and warm — which is ideal for pigeons and for squirrels, both of which are abundant across Sacramento neighbourhoods.
What nesting under an array does
- Chewed DC wiring, which is both a production fault and a fire risk
- Droppings accumulating on the roof covering and in the gutters
- Nesting material holding moisture against the roof, which is how rot starts
- Blocked drainage at the eaves from accumulated debris
- Shading and soiling on the panels themselves, reducing output
Doing it while the panels are off
Critter guard is mesh clipped around the array perimeter. Installed with the panels in place it is fiddly, slow and awkward to do well. Installed while the array is off for a re-roof, it is straightforward and costs a fraction as much.
If you are doing an R&R anyway, this is the cheapest it will ever be.
Doing it properly
- Stainless or coated mesh, clipped to the module frames — not fastened through the roof covering
- No new penetrations: a guard installed with screws into the roof creates the problem it is meant to prevent
- Existing nests and debris removed and the area cleaned first
- Full perimeter, because birds find the one open side
Common questions
Do I need critter guard on my solar panels?
In most Sacramento neighbourhoods it is worth having, particularly with mature trees or an existing pigeon population nearby. Chewed DC wiring is the expensive outcome it prevents.
Can critter guard be installed without removing the panels?
Yes, it is routinely done that way. It is simply cheaper and neater when fitted during an R&R while the array is already off.