Solar Panel Critter Guard
After setting up a brand new solar panel system, the last thing homeowners want is dealing with the local wildlife claiming it as their own. Fortunately, for solar contractors, solar installers, and other professional installers, there is a solar panel pest control solution that will help to keep energy investments safe and secure. Happy homeowner, happy installer!
Protect Solar Investments With Solar Panel Critter Guards
Bird Control For Solar Panels
When used as bird control for solar panels, Spiffy Solar is the perfect answer to panel protection. Our innovative solution is comprised of a simple two-piece installation process that requires no roof or module penetration. The black PVC-coated, galvanized steel screen is heavy-duty, making it a great option for bird control for solar panels. The screen attaches to most solar systems using our Spiffy Clips™, which helps to secure the solar panel protection kit in place during harsh weather.
Squirrel Guard Screens
With our squirrel guard screens, installers and pest control companies can safeguard solar panels from chew-happy animals and moisture-retaining nests. Our screen guards and clips are sold separately, so you can get exactly what you need to suit the dimensions of your system.
Solar Panel Wire Mesh Product Features
8 in. x 100 ft
Our PVC-coated mesh screen measures 100 feet in length and 8 inches in height, with a ½-inch mesh opening. Whether you’re specifically looking for a pigeon deterrent wire screen or are trying to protect a client’s solar panel system from other rooftop animals, our long-lasting, corrosion-resistant, galvanized steel screen is the best option for your needs.
Buy here.
6 in. x 100 ft
For use with lower profile installations, our 6-inch screen is the same quality as our 8-inch screen. It is not cut down to be smaller. It is recommended for a system installed with approximately 4.5 inches of gap or less.
Buy here.
Spiffy Clip All Metal Attachment Hardware-Box of 100
Solar panel protection clips from Spiffy Solar are an integral part of our two-piece solar installation protectors. The innovative design makes it easy to install, yet durable enough to last in a wide variety of environments. Together with the screen, the wire mesh clips have been proven to deter a number of rodents that can cause significant damage to solar panel installations.
When used with our Spiffy Clip system, you’ll still need to overlap the panel edge and include a small fold at the bottom edge. Little folding or cutting is required and the clips attach with nothing more than a pair of linesman pliers. Approximately 75 clips are required per 100 lineal feet of coverage, depending on the system configuration, and other variables.
Buy here.
Spiffy Solar Product FAQ
What is a critter guard?
A Critter Guard is simply a physical barrier that prevents vermin access to the underside of flush-mount solar installations. Such a barrier, preventing entry, is the only sure-fire and long-lasting solution. Bird spikes are not effective. Pigeons and squirrels can both simply wriggle their way in, right through the spikes. Also, the effectiveness of solutions such as plastic owl sculptures and sound emitting devices is short-lived.
Why do you need solar panel critter guards?
Pigeons make a lot of noise and create debris (guano, feces, poop, etc), which clog up gutters and create a mess not only on the roof but on surrounding patios and yards.
Their nests start out as sticks and leaves but quickly become nothing but a solid mass of excrement on the roof. This mass tends to retain moisture, which rots the roof. If left alone, the roofing material underneath will eventually fail and the roof will leak.
Squirrels, while not as common, are more hazardous to the power generation system. They, like all rodents, have continuously growing teeth. They chew on whatever is around them, in order to keep their teeth worn to the proper length. If they choose to make a home under a solar installation, then what gets gnawed on is the wiring, connectors and junction boxes. We’ve seen cases where an entire junction box is missing, having been nibbled down to nothing.
In the worst cases, squirrels have been known to cause arching
which can lead to fires.
How long do installations take?
A proficient, experienced crew can protect the average home system in about four hours. For more information, please visit our installation and specs page,
here.
How much is being charged for installation jobs?
Pricing varies quite a bit across the country. Solar installers, who include pest protection with the system, and install it before leaving the worksite, usually charge the least.
We’ve heard of rates as low as $7 per linear foot. On the other hand, specialty crews, who must bid the job and go to the site with the express purpose of pest mitigation, need to charge more. These installers may charge as much as $15 per linear foot.
You may want to add surcharges for features such as two stories, a complex layout, or a system that is exceptionally close to the roof edge. However, some installers find that it’s easier to charge by the linear foot and let the jobs average out instead of being so precise with billing.
Does the system work with any module?
Spiffy Clips will attach to any module which has a lip on the bottom edge of the frame. There are a few modules that have the frame sides enclosed, eliminating the lip on two and sometimes four sides, leaving no place to attach the hardware hook. These include some Kyocera models, SolarWorld 2.5 and SolarWorld 3.0 models.
It is a good idea to check either the panels themselves or the spec sheet before ordering our clips for that project. A quick look at the frame extrusion cross-section will show whether or not the frames have a lip on which to attach.
Will it really keep squirrels and birds out?
When properly installed, our pest protection system has been proven to keep out the types of pests most commonly found there. There is one North American intruder against which our product is not recommended. That is raccoons. They have opposable thumbs!
How long do critter guards last?
Critter guards can be expected to last for many years. However, installation techniques and local factors play a big part in how well they perform and even how long they may last. Solar panel system owners can expect to replace their guards no more than once in the life of their system, if at all.
How long does the product take to ship?
Orders received before noon (MSolarST) will be processed and loaded that same day. Orders received in the afternoon will be processed the next day.
Please note that Ground shipment times begin the day after the packages are picked up. Express (Overnight, Priority, Overnight, etc.) include the first day in the shipping schedule.
If you have additional questions,
Contact us!
|
