Everything Solar Forum

I would not say it is common, but it DOES happen.  Usually not a problem with birds, but squirrels can occasionally chew on wires which can be a problem.  

This must be somewhat common, because my installers had a standard box to check if I wanted "varmint protection" (as one of the guys described it) : - ) for the roof top panels.  This is a plastic mesh all around the edges.

In my neighborhood, squirrel nests would be almost 100% likely, so I paid for it.  It also keeps out a lot of leaves and other debris.

If you think it will be problem, you can probably get something like that put on.

We have some feral cats in the neighborhood that like to hang out under the solar panels at night and when it rains. They must keep the other critters at bay. We had lots of squirrels living in the trees in the backyard before the hurricane last year but never had any issues with nests or even wasps up there. 

This must be somewhat common, because my installers had a standard box to check if I wanted "varmint protection" (as one of the guys described it) : - ) for the roof top panels.  This is a plastic mesh all around the edges.

In my neighborhood, squirrel nests would be almost 100% likely, so I paid for it.  It also keeps out a lot of leaves and other debris.

If you think it will be problem, you can probably get something like that put on.

We have some feral cats in the neighborhood that like to hang out under the solar panels at night and when it rains. They must keep the other critters at bay. We had lots of squirrels living in the trees in the backyard before the hurricane last year but never had any issues with nests or even wasps up there. 

This must be somewhat common, because my installers had a standard box to check if I wanted "varmint protection" (as one of the guys described it) : - ) for the roof top panels.  This is a plastic mesh all around the edges.

In my neighborhood, squirrel nests would be almost 100% likely, so I paid for it.  It also keeps out a lot of leaves and other debris.

If you think it will be problem, you can probably get something like that put on.

We have some feral cats in the neighborhood that like to hang out under the solar panels at night and when it rains. They must keep the other critters at bay. We had lots of squirrels living in the trees in the backyard before the hurricane last year but never had any issues with nests or even wasps up there. 

This must be somewhat common, because my installers had a standard box to check if I wanted "varmint protection" (as one of the guys described it) : - ) for the roof top panels.  This is a plastic mesh all around the edges.

In my neighborhood, squirrel nests would be almost 100% likely, so I paid for it.  It also keeps out a lot of leaves and other debris.

If you think it will be problem, you can probably get something like that put on.

As noted in other replies, panels are designed to be cool on the underside. And they should be pretty squirrel proof unless something goes seriously wrong. 

In my own case, I think I was most concerned about the esthetics, if a lot of junk accumulated under my shiny new solar panels!  : - )

Also I was thinking that a mass of leaves, etc., isn't super great for the roof under the panels.  Debris might even be a fire hazard, in the worst case.

Overall, it's not a huge risk of anything serious.  And there is relatively a simple fix, if you want to do something.

And, I guess, it's worth thinking about how you value providing habitat for wildlife.

And, on the positive side, if it provides habitat for wildlife that's not a bad thing.  

We have some feral cats in the neighborhood that like to hang out under the solar panels at night and when it rains. They must keep the other critters at bay. We had lots of squirrels living in the trees in the backyard before the hurricane last year but never had any issues with nests or even wasps up there. 

This must be somewhat common, because my installers had a standard box to check if I wanted "varmint protection" (as one of the guys described it) : - ) for the roof top panels.  This is a plastic mesh all around the edges.

In my neighborhood, squirrel nests would be almost 100% likely, so I paid for it.  It also keeps out a lot of leaves and other debris.

If you think it will be problem, you can probably get something like that put on.