What Is Solar Panel Critter Guard?

What is solar panel critter guard, exactly?

Solar panel critter guard is a mesh barrier installed around the whole outside edge of your array. It closes off the gap between the panels and the roof. That gap is the warm, sheltered pocket where birds, squirrels and rats want to nest. Seal it, and there's nowhere left for them to get underneath.

Picture a fine, sturdy fence around your panels, tucked just under the panel edge. It doesn't fasten to the roof, and it doesn't change how your panels work. It just cuts off the space beneath them. It's the standard, lasting fix, and it beats spikes and decoys, which birds learn to ignore.

For the full picture, see our bird and critter protection guide.

How is critter guard installed?

Here's the detail homeowners care about most: good critter guard clips to the panel frames, not the roof. Special clips grip the aluminum panel frame and hold the mesh in place. So there are no holes in your roof, and nothing is screwed into your panels. That means no new leak points and no threat to your roof or panel warranties.

A proper install runs the mesh unbroken around the whole array. It closes off the corners and clip points, where gaps usually hide. Before the mesh goes on, any nest is cleared, the wiring is checked for chew damage and the droppings are cleaned up. If a chewed wire turns up, it gets a repair in the same visit.

What is critter guard made of?

Good critter guard uses a rigid metal mesh, usually galvanized or PVC-coated steel, or aluminum. Galvanized means coated in zinc to stop rust. The mesh is chosen so rodents can't chew through it and it holds up to Florida sun and rain. It is usually black, so it disappears into the shadow under the panels, and it pairs with sun-resistant clips made for the panel frame.

Avoid soft plastic netting and flimsy hardware-store mesh. Rodents chew right through it, it sags, and it falls apart in the sun. The whole value of the barrier is that it's unbroken and tough. One weak or gapped section, and the animals find their way back in.

How much does critter guard cost?

The cost depends mostly on the size of your array, because a bigger array has more edge to seal. Your roof's height and pitch matter too, along with any cleanup or wiring repair needed first. A small single-story array costs far less than a big two-story roof with animals already living under it. A free quote after a look at your roof gives you the exact price.

We break down the cost drivers in how much bird-proofing solar costs. Either way, critter guard costs far less than a chewed-wire repair, a fire or roof damage.

Does critter guard get in the way of roof work?

No, critter guard clips on and off the panel frames, so it does not touch the roof itself. If you need a new roof, the panels have to come off first anyway. Service Solar Pros handles solar panel removal and reinstall for re-roofs, and we can seal the array again once the panels go back up. Note that we do not repair roof leaks.

Is critter guard worth it in Central Florida?

For most homeowners here, yes. Our warm roofs keep birds and rodents active much of the year, so an unsealed array is an open invitation. Critter guard is a one-time install that protects the wiring and the roof itself. It's also nearly invisible once it's on.

We install it across The Villages, Leesburg and all of Central Florida, on any brand of system from any installer. Want it bundled with regular cleanings and a yearly inspection? A maintenance plan keeps everything on one schedule.

Frequently asked questions