Squirrel Damage to Solar Systems and Roofs: A Guide for Homeowners

Squirrels may be cute and entertaining to watch in your yard, but once they make a home beneath your solar panels, they’re anything but harmless. They often chew through electrical wiring, cause roof leaks, and create other hidden problems that can lead to costly repairs for homeowners. 

We’ve seen the toll that can take on solar systems. In this guide, we’ll cover signs that your roof and panels may be suffering from squirrel damage so you can take action to fix it. If your system is suffering from any of the issues we highlight below, contact us. We inspect and service existing solar panel systems, whether we installed them or someone else did, so we can easily diagnose and fix any issues caused by squirrel damage.

Signs You May Have Squirrel Damage

With over 25 years of inspecting and repairing solar systems, here are a few of the telltale signs we see of squirrel damage:

Nesting Materials Around the Array

Twigs, leaves, insulation, and other debris collecting around or beneath your panels often indicate that squirrels are using the area as a nesting site.

Droppings

Droppings on the roof, around the edges of the solar array, or near gutters are a common sign of squirrel activity and should be addressed before additional damage occurs.

Unexpected Drops in Energy Production

Chewed wires or damaged electrical components can reduce your system’s performance. If your solar monitoring app shows a sudden drop in energy production with no obvious explanation, wildlife damage could be the cause.

Visible Chew Marks

If conduit, cables, or plastic wire insulation show gnaw marks or exposed metal wire, that is one of the clearest signs of squirrel damage. Not only will it hurt performance, but exposed electrical wiring can also be a fire hazard. You should immediately get someone to come service your system if you notice this sign.

Noises on the Roof

If you hear scurrying, scratching, or chewing sounds on the roof, that’s a pretty good sign a squirrel is up there.

Inverter Error Codes

Your inverter will let you know if issues are occurring due to any of the factors above. Ground faults, communication losses, or electrical errors are a sign that it’s time to get your system serviced.

What Squirrel Damage Can Do to Your System

Create Potential Fire Hazards

As mentioned above, chewed or exposed wiring can pose a fire hazard. Pair that with debris from nests that can easily get ignited, and that’s a fire waiting to happen. Since it can rapidly set the roof on fire and disable emergency features, leaving active wires, it can also make the fire difficult to put out, making the issue even worse.

Cause System Production & Performance Failures

Numerous aspects of squirrel damage can affect your system’s overall performance. Exposed wiring touching the metal racking can trigger a safety alert that will shut down the system entirely. Additionally, nest debris blocks airflow under panels, trapping heat that can reduce solar cell efficiency and even crack the panel glass. Constant electrical fluctuations and communication interruptions caused by damaged wires can strain the inverter and eventually cause it to short-circuit.

Resulting Financial Losses

If your solar system starts to fail and stops producing enough energy, your home will have to draw expensive electricity from your local utility grid. Because of delays in energy production, your system may not pay off or pay for itself as quickly as we originally estimated.

Pose a Threat to Structural Components

Droppings and damp nesting can accumulate moisture under shingles, which can eventually rot the wood roof trusses below, causing significant structural damage to your roof. Additionally, some panel and inverter manufacturers’ warranties don’t cover animal damage, leaving you vulnerable if something like this were to occur. 

What to Do Next if You Suspect Squirrel Damage

If you suspect squirrels have damaged your solar panels or roof, don’t try to inspect or repair the wiring yourself. Solar systems carry live electrical current, and exposed or damaged wiring can pose a serious risk of electrocution and fire. Instead, here’s what you should do:

1. Contact your solar installer or a qualified professional.

A trained technician can safely inspect the system, identify damaged wiring, and make the necessary repairs.

2. Document what you observe

Take note of scratching sounds, nesting materials, visible debris, or a drop in your system’s performance. This information can help speed up the inspection and diagnosis.

3. Address the problem promptly.

Damaged wiring isn’t just a performance issue; it can become a fire hazard. Dry nesting materials combined with exposed electrical wires significantly increase the risk of overheating and fire.

4. Install critter guards during repairs.

If your roof or solar panels are already being serviced, it’s a cost-effective time to install critter guards. These barriers help prevent squirrels and other animals from getting underneath the panels again.

How Belmont Solar Can Help With Squirrel Damage

Squirrel damage doesn’t have to spell the end of your solar system. Belmont Solar can inspect the damage and determine what it will take to get your system producing again. We service the systems we install and may take on systems installed by other companies when our capacity allows. When a system is beyond practical repair, we can provide a full replacement.

We’ve been installing solar since 2001, and we’re here to support our customers long after installation. Request solar service and share your system details, photos, and any error messages. We’ll review the information, confirm service availability, and help you take the next step.