Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular as a source of clean energy, but they also attract various pests that can damage them and reduce their efficiency.
Understanding the types of pests that commonly affect solar panels and how they impact solar systems is crucial for effective management and maintenance. This article discusses the most common pests around solar installations and their specific threats.
Excellent4.9★★★★★ Based on 507 reviews from review us onChris Rubin de la Borbolla ★★★★★ awesome service! very attentive. utilized for both home + yard treatments. due to a trickier situation involving clay roof tiles, brandyn, the owner, came out with roof specialists to evaluate + problem solve, taking into consideration costs, timeline + the season. their humane trapping measures also were of great importance.Response from the ownerHi, Chris. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us! Gary Whitfield ★★★★★ If they send “J”out for your free estimate.. please trust him as he is a very knowledgeable and respectful young man.. he answered every question I had and he doesn’t hesitate to help find the best solution that will fit your situation.. I would highly recommend this team to anyoneResponse from the ownerHi, Gary. Thank you so much for leaving us a stellar review! Laelle Novotny ★★★★★ Cristian came out for the first treatment a bit ago with another employee (showing him the ropes) and was extremely friendly and helpful! He was thorough with the work and let me know the steps in the process as he was completing my first pest treatment. I had a couple of additional areas I wanted treatment and he took care of them right away. He even explained how to look out for termites in the future to me and showed me how to identify them among other wood-bearing insects versus a type of ant. I have full confidence in this company and their pricing for the time they spend is much more reasonable than the competitors (I had multiple quotes).Response from the ownerHi, Laelle. Your feedback is highly appreciated. Thank you for the review! Christine Ahlbrand ★★★★★ Very professional company, office staff Michaela, techs Nathan, Dan as well as Jay. Call Titan for all your needs.Response from the ownerHi, Christine. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience! Mary Vance ★★★★★ Top notch, awesome ! Thanks so much JResponse from the ownerHi, Mary. Thanks for taking the time to share your positive experience. We truly appreciate it! Jeff Tovo ★★★★★ I was very impressed with Jay. Showed up right on time. He was very thorough in his explanation of your service. My first service visit is pending.Response from the ownerHi, Jeff. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us! Stacy Weida ★★★★★ Best in the Biz! Ken is a fab technician & I haven’t seen a single 6- or 8-legged friend since they’ve serviced my home over the years. Three thumbs up!Response from the ownerHi, Stacy. Thank you so much for leaving us a stellar review! Jessica Burtt ★★★★★ Jenn was fabulous. I called in to set for someone to come out and help me with the rats in my wood pile. I goofed up on the day and she was so kind and helpful.Response from the ownerHi, Jessica. Your feedback is highly appreciated. Thank you for the review! Gary Stamer ★★★★★ Great company. Very positive experience all around . Technician Christian was on time for my appointment and very professional. Highly recommended.Response from the ownerHi, Gary. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience! Katherine Frannicola ★★★★★ I was very happy with how professional and helpful Nathan was! He was awesome to work with and I am thankful he was able to help me solve my issues.Response from the ownerHi, Katherine. Thanks for taking the time to share your positive experience. We truly appreciate it! billy Frannicola ★★★★★ Highly recommended, called titan pest to help me get rid of the cave crickets in my basement, when Cameron came over he was very friendly, and very professional, solved the problem i would definitely use them again in the futureResponse from the ownerHi, Billy. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us! RamzG0411 ★★★★★ Cristian was very helpful and explained the job he was doing very well. Excellent service!Response from the ownerHi, Ramzg0411. Thank you so much for leaving us a stellar review! aimee goodwin ★★★★★ When I called I was really panicked and the young woman on the phone was marvelous. She managed to assure me that the problem could be handled by the experts and it was!Response from the ownerHi, Aimee. Your feedback is highly appreciated. Thank you for the review! Jennifer Contreras ★★★★★ Jennifer is so awesome!!! She really does a great job!!!Response from the ownerHi, Jennifer. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience! Cam Stroh ★★★★★ Cameron is a really great employee and even better tech and the Dan answered all my questions while cam was doing our service today.Response from the ownerHi, Cam. Thanks for taking the time to share your positive experience. We truly appreciate it! John Fehrman ★★★★★ John is a great technician! Titan is great!Response from the ownerHi, John. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us! Mari R ★★★★★ Jennifer was very helpfulResponse from the ownerHi, Mari. Thank you so much for leaving us a stellar review! Monica Valadez ★★★★★ Jennifer is a sweet and amazing person, she helped me with all the questions I was asking about receiving general services from them. Thank you so much Jennifer keep up the great work you do with your awesome personality!Response from the ownerHi, Monica. Your feedback is highly appreciated. Thank you for the review! Ben Hotop ★★★★★ Andrew came out to our new home and helped us evict Jerry the uninvited guest and set up deterrents so hopefully he and his friends don’t return. Thank you!!Response from the ownerHi, Ben. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience! Tyler Carmack ★★★★★ J Kesterson came and inspected our house. We discovered raccoon and mice activity in the attic. Jay and I went up and had a look to see the damage as well as him taking pictures of the damage. We went around the house and inspected the outside to look for potential openings, and found 3 entry points. J was very professional and genuine when discussing options and inspecting the house. It was nice to be included and shown where specific activity was taken place in person and in pictures as well as see where those entry points are. He answered all our questions and broke things down so they were easy to understand. He fully explained the benefits for each treatment option and the prices. We appreciate the wholistic assessment.Response from the ownerHi, Tyler. Thanks for taking the time to share your positive experience. We truly appreciate it! Carol Suda ★★★★★ Brandyn at Titan Pest & Wildlife is our go to guy for all our wildlife issues for all our properties. Both Brandon and this company communicate well with their clients. Titan has a great team and offer reasonable prices especially compared to other local wildlife companies. I have no reservations or hesitations referring this company to my family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers.Response from the ownerHi, Carol. We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience with us! Joseph Powell ★★★★★ Ken came out was super friendly and helpful very professional appreciate the job well done.Response from the ownerHi, Joseph. Thank you so much for leaving us a stellar review! Mary Murphy ★★★★★ Cristian did a great job with my pest control treatment this week. He answered all my questions and was thorough in inspecting and treating my house. Thanks Cristian!Response from the ownerHi, Mary. Your feedback is highly appreciated. Thank you for the review! Parker ★★★★★ Great serviceResponse from the ownerHi, Parker. We appreciate the kind words and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience! Christine Ashley ★★★★★ J did an excellent assessment of the issue and took him time to understand my concerns and goals. I feel like I’m in good hands to resolve my pest issue.Response from the ownerHi, Christine. Thanks for taking the time to share your positive experience. We truly appreciate it!
Birds
Birds are one of the most significant and visible pests for solar panels. Pigeons, sparrows, and seagulls are mainly known to nest under the protection provided by solar panels. These nests not only block parts of the panels, thereby reducing their overall effectiveness, but the accumulation of bird droppings can also cause physical damage. Bird droppings are highly acidic and can etch into the surface of the solar panels, leading to a permanent loss in energy production.
Consequences: Reduced energy output, permanent panel damage
Rodents
Mice, squirrels, and rats seriously threaten solar panel installations. These animals are attracted to the warmth of the panels and often chew through electrical wiring and insulation, leading to short circuits or even complete system failures. The damage can be costly and significantly reduce a solar installation’s lifespan. Furthermore, the gnawing on wires can create safety hazards, such as fire risk.
Types involved: Mice, squirrels, rats
Damage: Chewing wires, insulation damage
Risks: Short circuits, potential fires, costly repairs
Insects
Various insects, including wasps, bees, and ants, are also attracted to solar panel installations. Wasps and bees may build nests under or around the panels, obstructing airflow and reducing efficiency. Ants are particularly problematic as they can burrow into inverters and other components, potentially causing malfunctions and short circuits. These issues necessitate regular cleaning and, in severe cases, professional removal of nests and hives.
Insect types: Wasps, bees, ants
Issues: Obstruction of airflow, component malfunctions
Management needs: Regular cleaning, professional nest removal
Lichen and Moss
While not pests in the traditional sense, lichen and moss can grow on solar panels, especially in humid climates or areas with a lot of shade. This growth can cover the surface of the panels, blocking sunlight and significantly decreasing energy output. Although they do not cause structural damage like birds or rodents, their impact on the efficiency of solar panels can be profound.
Growth conditions: Humid climates, shaded areas
Impact: Blocking sunlight, reduced energy output
Prevention tips: Install in well-lit areas, possibly apply preventative coatings
These lists provide a structured overview of the types of pests that affect solar panels, detailing the problems they cause and the measures needed to manage these issues effectively. Regular inspections and proactive maintenance are essential to minimize their impact and maintain optimal solar installation performance.
Prevention and Control Measures
Effective pest control starts with proactive preventative measures tailored to each type of pest. For birds, measures such as installing anti-roosting spikes or netting are effective at preventing them from nesting under solar panels. These tools obstruct access to desirable nesting areas, reducing the likelihood of birds settling there.
Securing solar panel installations is crucial for rodents. Sealing all potential entry points and using rodent guards can keep these pests at bay. Rodent guards are designed to prevent mice, squirrels, and rats from climbing onto the panels and causing damage.
Insect issues require diligent oversight. Regular inspections and cleaning are vital to managing insects like wasps, bees, and ants. These routine checks help identify and remove nests or hives before they escalate into more significant problems.
Positioning solar panels in well-lit, non-shaded areas is a preventive strategy for lichen and moss, as these organisms thrive in moist and shaded environments. Applying specific coatings or treatments to the panels can inhibit biological growth if shading cannot be avoided. These treatments create a surface less conducive to lichen and moss growth, thereby preserving the panels’ efficiency.
Prevention Techniques:
Birds: Anti-roosting spikes, netting
Rodents: Sealing entry points, rodent guards
Insects: Regular inspections, proactive cleaning
Lichen/Moss: Installation in bright areas, application of protective coatings
Implementing these measures allows solar panels to operate optimally and be protected from pest damage. Regular maintenance and strategic placement can significantly extend the life and performance of solar panel installations.
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial in detecting and addressing pest issues early. This includes scheduled cleaning of the panels, inspections for signs of pest activity, and checks on electrical wiring and components for any signs of damage. By staying vigilant and proactive, solar panel owners can minimize the impact of pests and maintain the efficiency and longevity of their solar systems.
While solar panels are an excellent investment for generating clean energy, they can attract various pests that threaten their efficiency and structural integrity. Birds, rodents, insects, and even plant growth like lichen and moss can all cause problems. Understanding these common pests and implementing strategic prevention and maintenance routines are essential for protecting this valuable asset. Regular inspections and timely interventions can allow solar panels to operate at peak performance, providing sustainable energy for years.
