Key Takeaways
- Squirrels nest under roof-mounted panels for warmth and shelter, and they chew on wiring once they’re in. That’s how a pest problem turns into an electrical one.
- The earliest warning signs are unexplained production drops on your monitoring app, nesting debris around the array, and visible chew marks on conduit or cables.
- Green Mountain Solar doesn’t sell or install critter guards, but our Enphase monitoring flags single-panel damage within a day or two, and our team handles the inspection and rewire work if a squirrel has already gotten in.
- Vermont squirrels are most active in late summer through fall as they cache food, which is the best window to inspect your roofline.
Like any part of your home, you want to make sure that your solar panels are kept safe from critters like squirrels.
One question our installers hear frequently is: How do I protect my solar panels from squirrels? It’s an important topic, particularly for roof-mounted solar systems. Squirrels have a nasty habit of building nests in solar panels because they’re warm and provide shelter. The problem is that they can chew on wires, causing damage to your system and creating a fire hazard because of exposed wires. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your home and system safe.
Trim Back Tree Branches
Smart home maintenance says you don’t want trees too close to your home for several reasons, but especially for solar owners—and not just because of shade. Squirrels typically get into systems by climbing out on limbs that grow too close to roofs. The solution here is to trim back any branches that approach your roof. And look at all sides of your home, not just where your system is.
Signs Squirrels Have Already Gotten In
Catching squirrel damage early makes the difference between a quick repair and a rewire. Three signals are worth watching for.
The first is a sudden drop in production that doesn’t match the weather. If your monitoring app shows one panel (or a string of panels) producing noticeably less than its neighbors on a clear day, something is off at the wiring level.
The second is physical evidence on the roof: twigs, leaves, insulation material, or acorn shells tucked along the panel edges. That’s nesting, and it rarely happens without chewing.
The third is visible damage on the DC conduit or the exposed cables between panels. Bite marks, stripped insulation, or cable sheathing hanging loose are all reasons to shut the system off at the inverter and call a licensed installer before you touch anything.
Monitor Your System
Green Mountain Solar systems come with monitoring. This can tell you how much power you’re producing, and it also sends out error messages. Know that squirrel damage isn’t the only explanation for an error message (for instance, you may get an error if snow is covering or partially covering your array – this is totally fine and will clear up when the snow does). If ever you see an error message that you’re concerned about, our team is always here to help you.
How the Enphase App Catches Damage Early
Most GMS systems run on Enphase microinverters, which report production from every single panel rather than the array as a whole. That granularity is what makes rodent damage easy to spot in the app.
When a squirrel chews through one panel’s DC cable, you’ll see that panel’s output flatline or drop sharply while the others keep producing. On the Enphase site map, the damaged panel shows up as a dimmer tile or an alert, usually within a day or two of the event.
If you see that pattern, take a screenshot from the app and send it to us. It helps our team pinpoint the exact panel before a truck roll, which cuts down on diagnosis time.
Consider Critter Guards
If you live in a particularly woody area, critter guards are worth looking into. These mesh barriers attach around the perimeter of your panels and keep squirrels, birds, and other animals from nesting underneath. Several manufacturers make guards designed specifically for solar arrays, and a local handyman or pest control company can typically handle the install.
Where Green Mountain Solar Fits In
Worth being upfront: Green Mountain Solar doesn’t sell or install critter guards. If guards are something you’re weighing, the install itself needs to go through a pest control specialist.
Where we focus is the detection and repair side. Every GMS system comes with Enphase monitoring, which flags single-panel damage the day it happens. If a squirrel has already gotten into your array, our team inspects the roof, identifies the affected wiring, and handles the repair.
Solar panels themselves are designed to hold up to Vermont weather without damaging your roof, and we hold our repair work to the same standard. Nothing we do up there should compromise your shingles.
When Vermont Squirrels Are Most Active
Gray squirrels and red squirrels are active year-round in Vermont, but they ramp up in late summer through fall as they cache food and start scouting warm nest sites for winter. September and October are peak months for new nests appearing under solar arrays.
Late fall (right before the snow sets in) is the best time to inspect your roofline and any nearby tree limbs. If you spot nesting activity now, you can address it before cold weather locks things in for the season. Our guide on how solar panels perform through Vermont winters covers what else to watch for once the temperatures drop.
If You Suspect Squirrel Damage, Here’s What to Do
- Check your monitoring app and note which panels (if any) are underperforming. Take a screenshot.
- Walk the perimeter of your home and look up at the array from the ground. Nesting debris along the edges is usually visible without getting on the roof.
- Do not climb onto the roof yourself. If the wiring is damaged, exposed conductors can still be live even with the inverter off.
- Call Green Mountain Solar. We’ll schedule a roof inspection, confirm what’s going on, and lay out the repair plan.
If you suspect squirrel damage or see a nest in your system, contact Green Mountain Solar. We can help you diagnose and solve the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover squirrel damage to solar panels?
It depends on the policy. Most standard homeowners policies exclude rodent damage, though some endorsements cover wiring incidents. Check your policy language before you assume you’re covered, and keep photos of any damage for the claims process.
Does Green Mountain Solar install critter guards?
No. If critter guards are something you want looked into, a pest control specialist can handle the install. What we do handle is the detection and repair side: Enphase monitoring catches damage early, and our team takes care of roof inspections and rewire work if squirrels have already gotten in.
How often should I inspect my panels for squirrel activity?
A ground-level visual check once in the fall and once in the spring is usually enough. If you live in a heavily wooded area, add a mid-summer check to that schedule.
Can squirrel damage cause a fire?
Yes, though it’s rare. Chewed DC wiring can arc in wet weather, and nesting material under panels is dry and flammable. That combination is why early detection through monitoring matters.
Spotted Something on Your Roof?
Our team can inspect your array, identify squirrel damage, and handle the rewire work so your system is back to full production. Every GMS install comes with Enphase monitoring, so catching a problem early is usually a phone call away.
Or call us at (802) 369-9149
