Why Install Rodent Guards on Solar Panels?
When installing solar panels, it’s easy to focus on the big benefits—reduced energy bills, increased property value, and eco-friendly energy. But one often-overlooked detail can make a huge difference in keeping your solar investment safe: installing rodent guards. These protective barriers around your solar panels are designed to keep out pests like squirrels, rodents, and especially pigeons, which can cause serious problems if left unchecked. Here’s why rodent guards are essential, especially in areas where pigeons are prevalent, and why it's typically more affordable to install them during the initial solar installation rather than waiting until pests become a problem.
The Risk of Pests and Pigeons
The space beneath solar panels provides an ideal hiding spot for small animals and birds, especially in high-pigeon areas. Pigeons can cause particular issues with solar panels by building nests in these protected spaces. Unfortunately, the buildup of nests, feathers, and droppings can quickly become problematic. Besides being unsightly, these can obstruct airflow, potentially overheating the panels and reducing efficiency. Additionally, the debris and droppings can degrade the solar panels over time, leading to more frequent cleanings and costly repairs.
Rodents and squirrels can also chew through wiring, leading to system malfunctions and even fire risks. Repairing these issues can be costly and time-consuming, and often requires specialized technicians to remove and reinstall components for thorough cleanup and repair.
The Benefits of Rodent Guards
- Protect Your Investment: By preventing animals from accessing the space under your solar panels, rodent guards protect your solar array from damage, helping to extend its lifespan and maintain its efficiency.
- Reduce Maintenance Costs: Regular maintenance of solar panels becomes more manageable with rodent guards, as there's less chance for animals to cause messes or damage that need frequent cleaning or fixing.
- Preserve Energy Efficiency: Pests can disrupt airflow, which is essential to keep the panels cool and working at peak efficiency. By keeping animals out, rodent guards help maintain optimal airflow, ensuring your panels run as efficiently as possible.
- Lower Long-term Costs: Though rodent guards add a small initial cost, it’s generally cheaper to install them during your initial solar panel installation. Waiting until animals have already moved in can result in high cleanup and repair costs, often requiring professional wildlife removal and repairs to damaged components.
Cost-effectiveness of Installing Rodent Guards Early
It’s significantly more economical to add rodent guards at the time of solar panel installation, as the installation crew is already onsite with the equipment in place. When rodent guards are an afterthought, it often means a separate service visit, additional labor, and potentially higher costs. It also avoids the frustration of dealing with pest-related issues that could have been prevented with a proactive approach.
Conclusion
Rodent guards are a small investment with significant payoffs. They protect your solar panels from pesky animals, preserve the system's efficiency, and help you avoid future costs related to pest damage. For those living in areas with a high pigeon population, these guards are especially beneficial. By adding rodent guards to your solar installation, you’ll protect your investment and ensure your solar panels continue to produce clean, affordable energy for years to come.
Get a quote on installing Rodent Guards for your system here
