Today, more Albertans are going solar as a way to contribute to a cleaner grid while combatting rising electricity costs. While rodent guard add-ons are fast becoming a standard part of the solar panel system installation for your home, rodent guard add-ons are usually an optional feature you may choose to include or exclude as part of your system. If rodent guards are an optional for you, you may be asking yourself the question: Should I get rodent guards for my solar panel system? Here are some common reasons Albertans get rodent guards for their solar panels.
It prevents system damages
Solar panels are a big investment for many homeowners in Alberta. You want to make sure your solar panel system will last you well beyond its 25-year warrantied period. In some cases, common animals in the neighbourhood such as mice, squirrels, and pigeons find their way to the roof of your home and under the solar panel systems. While it is rare, mice and squirrels have the potential to chew on wires which can damage your solar panel system. We have seen pigeons commonly make solar panels their home and using it as a nesting ground for their family. While pigeons may not chew on wires, their activities under the panel can potentially move wires around and cause issues in your system’s ability to produce solar energy in the long run.
It stops unwanted animal noises
Solar panel systems have the potential to attract animals to your roof throughout the day. In Alberta, pigeons are one of the most common animals our clients are concerned about. If your solar panel system is installed on the roof above your bedroom, you will likely hear pigeon activities there if they decide to make it their home. For some people sensitive to noises, this can cause unwanted inconveniences to your day-to-day living. Installing rodent guards is a sure way to stop pigeons and other rodents from staying by your solar panel system.
It prevents animal mess
When animals such as pigeons decide to make the solar panels your home, there will most likely be mess and waste around it. Pigeons will bring all sorts of twigs and plants and use them to build a nest under your solar panel system. Once the solar panel system becomes their place of refuge, you can also expect animals such as pigeons to leave their feces and waste behind. Sometimes, a homeowner will decide to get rodent guards after the fact. Installing rodent guards after a solar panel install is an option. However, depending on the length of time the solar panel install has passed, it can create extra work for our installers and thus add an additional cleaning fee for the rodent guard add-on. If you don’t want to take your chances, it is always more environmentally and more cost-efficient to install rodent guards together with your solar panel system.
It protects the animals
At Zeno, we highly recommend adding rodent guards to your solar panel system. It saves our clients money, it prevents potential damages, and most of all, it also protects animals. Animals that make your solar panel system their home will make it a breeding ground to raise its offspring. This is bad, especially when homeowners decide to get rodent guards after the fact for the following reasons mentioned above. Our installers try to relocate nests as safely as possible when installing rodent guards after the fact. However, it is always better to take preventative measures if the option to install rodent guards in the first place is available.
Bringing it all together
At Zeno, we strongly recommend having rodent guards installed as part of your solar panel system. Rodent guards are a great way to ensure your solar panel system lasts a long time, does not cause any issues, prevent unwanted animal mess and noise, and also protects the animals in your neighbourhood.
Contact Zeno today for rodent guard add-ons for your solar panel system.
