I'm wondering if I should install critter guards on top of my solar panels to fill in the gaps. I recently fixed some critter guard that was installed wrongly before and it caused a lot of damage to my panels and wiring! There's about a 1" gap between the panels due to the hardware (unirac) I used, and I'm concerned that this might allow wildlife to get in from above (not between the roof and the panels). What do you all think?
2 Answers
But what about squirrels? I've seen plenty of damage from them. Out of the 27 panels I checked, 20 had exposed wires with clear bite marks. Seems like they could still get in through that gap!
You really shouldn’t need those critter guards on top. The main issue with critters tends to be birds making nests. Just keep an eye out for any signs of damage, and you should be fine!

True, squirrels can be a problem. Just make sure to check for any signs of entry regularly and consider installing some form of barrier if you notice issues.