Squirrel Damage To Solar Panels and Microinverters

by | Sep 28, 2020 | Blog

These last few months we have getting a lot of calls from homeowners with squirrel problems. Squirrels are always looking for a safe place to nest, and the warmth created by the modules combined with the shelter they afford make them an ideal target.  Plus they find the wires tasty. Unfortunately, when they nest they often cause serious damage to solar panels, microinverters, and roofs which cause roof leaks, inverter shut downs, ground faults, or fires.

How to know you have a critter or squirrel problem:

  • Debris visible under the array or poking out the side. Look for a ball like structure composed of sticks and greens.

  • Red light on inverter, possibly including “Ground fault” error on the display.

  • Keep an eye out for squirrels jumping from near by trees and running under array.

  • Your energy bill has gone up and you don’t know why.

  • Once you’ve identified you have a problem, your best suited to get it taken care of immediately because they will not go away on their own.

Risks of not dealing with it:

  • Chewed wire insulation exposes the copper which has electricity flowing through it. If that wire touches another metal component on the system, your solar system will shut off or worse..

  • 2 current carrying conductors could (and often do) touch, causing an electrical arc, which can and has led to fires.  The arc often lights on fire a dry squirrel nest.

  • And also, squirrels dig and chew through your shingles (see picture) trying to get nesting material or access your warm and cozy attic

Dealing with the problem:

We can help remove a nest.  The squirrels leave the nest when they hear us get on the roof, and once they do we can remove the solar panels above their nest and clear it out.  Once clear, we can check for solar panel damage and make repairs to the solar as needed, including to the solar panel leads and to the microinverters, and we can inspect the roof for any leaks.

Prevention:

  • Trim trees around the array up to 10’

  • Install Critter Guard, a wire mesh that wraps around the perimeter of the array and keeps out all pests

  • Call a professional at the first sign of nesting under the array