- May 18, 2026
- 5:03 pm
SOLAR EDUCATION | LONG ISLAND HOME PROTECTION | ANIMAL INTRUSION PREVENTION
Critter Guards for Solar Panels on Long Island: Prevent Raccoons, Birds & Squirrel Damage
One missing component on your solar installation can turn into a five-figure emergency.
Here’s what’s happening under Long Island solar systems — and how solar panel pigeon proofing and critter guard installation stop it before it starts.
Written by Jarret Sherrard
Owner & Operator, Solar Pro Roofing, LLC
GAF Certified Plus™ Residential Roofing Contractor
GAF GoldElite™ Commercial Roofing Contractor
Licensed & Insured — Suffolk & Nassau Counties, NY
15+ Years Roofing & Solar Installation Experience on Long Island
What Is a Solar Critter Guard?
A solar critter guard (also called a solar pest barrier, solar pest wrap, or solar mesh guard) is a protective barrier installed around the perimeter of a solar array to prevent raccoons, squirrels, birds, and other animals from accessing the space beneath the panels.
ACTUAL DAMAGE — Raccoon breach through roof decking and underlayment on a Long Island home with unprotected solar panels.
ALT TEXT: Raccoon damage beneath unprotected solar panels causing roof decking breach on Long Island home. Photo courtesy of Solar Pro Roofing, LLC.
A Real Long Island Case: Raccoon Damage Beneath Solar Panels
That hole in the photo above didn’t happen randomly.
A raccoon jumped from a nearby tree onto a Long Island roof, found its way under an unprotected solar array, and did exactly what cold, displaced animals do — it started digging toward heat.
Your attic is the warmest zone in your home — heat rises — and once an animal registers that, it goes to work.
It tears through shingles, then through synthetic underlayment — or tar paper on older roofs, which rips even easier — and straight through the plywood roof decking until it breaks into the attic it will now treat as its permanent home.
In documented cases on Long Island and in New Jersey, the raccoon didn’t come alone. It brought its family. Multiple animals nesting, defecating, and urinating in the same confined space.
At that point, you’re not dealing with a roofing problem. You have a biohazard:
- Licensed animal trapping
- Full attic remediation
- Complete roof replacement
- Solar system removal and reinstallation
— all with a solar system sitting directly on top.
On older solar installations, panels are mounted on long continuous rails. You often cannot remove just one or two panels above the damage — you have to remove the entire row.
That means:
- Electrical disconnect
- Rail removal
- Panel storage
- Reinstallation
- Re-inspection
Thousands in solar removal costs. Tens of thousands in roof replacement and remediation costs.
All of it preventable.
If your roof already needs replacement, animal intrusion can dramatically increase solar detach-and-reset costs — making critter guard installation one of the smartest investments a Long Island solar homeowner can make.
Insurance Note
In some cases, homeowners insurance carriers may dispute or limit coverage when long-term animal intrusion or preventable maintenance issues are involved.
Documenting that your system has professionally installed critter guards provides a meaningful layer of protection beyond the physical barrier itself.
“A solar critter guard costs $1,000–$3,000.
The damage it prevents can exceed $30,000.
There is no version of this math where skipping it makes sense.”
Why Long Island Homes Are Especially Vulnerable
Long Island’s geography and housing stock create conditions that make solar animal intrusion more common here than in many other markets.
Mature tree canopies in dense suburbs like Smithtown, Brookhaven, and East Setauket give raccoons direct roof access.
Cold winters drive animals toward insulated attic spaces, while coastal moisture accelerates roof deterioration.
Combined, these conditions make unprotected solar systems especially vulnerable on Long Island.
Solar panel pigeon proofing is one of the most overlooked preventative upgrades for Long Island homeowners.
Why Animals Target Solar Panels
Solar panels create a protected, elevated cavity that is:
- Dark
- Dry
- Shielded from wind
- Protected from rain
From an animal’s perspective, the underside of a solar array is prime real estate — especially during fall and winter across Suffolk and Nassau Counties.
Without a solar pest barrier around the array perimeter, there is nothing preventing animals from moving in.
The Biggest Animal Threats to Solar Systems on Long Island
Raccoons
Raccoons are the most physically destructive intruders.
Once sheltered under a solar array, they are strong enough to breach:
- Shingles
- Underlayment
- Plywood roof decking
Their dexterous paws allow them to pry and tear in ways other animals cannot.
A single raccoon intrusion can also create a serious biohazard through urine saturation and fecal contamination inside attic insulation.
Squirrels
Squirrels are notorious for chewing solar wiring and are one of the most underreported causes of solar system underperformance on Long Island.
They will gnaw through DC cable insulation — sometimes all the way to the bare conductor — causing:
- String failures
- Electrical hazards
- System downtime
A properly installed solar mesh guard eliminates squirrel access entirely.
Birds & Pigeons
Solar panel pigeon proofing is critical because birds often nest beneath arrays in large numbers.
Their nesting material accumulates around wiring harnesses and electrical components beneath the system.
Risks include:
- Fire hazards
- Moisture retention
- Roof deterioration
- Wiring damage
- Acidic droppings degrading roofing materials
Nests also trap moisture, accelerating roof deck deterioration — a major concern given Long Island’s coastal humidity levels.
What a Solar Critter Guard Actually Does
A professionally installed solar critter guard — also called solar pest wrap, solar mesh guard, or solar perimeter protection — consists of heavy-gauge PVC-coated or galvanized metal mesh fastened tightly around the perimeter of the solar array where it meets the roof surface.
When installed correctly, it creates a sealed barrier with:
- No corner gaps
- No exposed penetrations
- No weak access points
Animals cannot:
- Push through it
- Chew through it
- Pry it open
Critter guards also do not interfere with:
- Panel ventilation
- Drainage
- Solar production
- System performance
How Much Damage Can Animal Intrusion Cause?
| Damage Type | Estimated Long Island Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Animal trapper + removal | $300 – $1,500 |
| Attic remediation & disinfection | $1,500 – $5,000+ |
| Solar detach & reset (full row removal) | $2,000 – $8,000+ |
| Roof replacement (partial or full) | $10,000 – $25,000+ |
| Solar wiring repair / panel replacement | $500 – $5,000+ |
| Solar critter guard installation (preventative) | $1,000 – $3,000 |
Signs Animals May Be Living Under Your Solar Panels
Many Long Island homeowners don’t discover an infestation until significant damage has already occurred.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Scratching, scurrying, or rustling sounds in the attic or ceiling — especially at dawn or dusk
- Birds repeatedly gathering around or beneath the solar array
- Visible nesting material protruding from under panel edges
- Unexplained drops in solar energy production
- System alerts or inverter faults
- Chewed or damaged wiring near the array perimeter
- Water intrusion in the attic after rain
- Unusual odors from attic spaces
How Solar Pro Roofing Protects Long Island Solar Systems
At Solar Pro Roofing, we install heavy-duty PVC or galvanized metal solar pest wrap fastened tightly around the full perimeter of your array.
No gaps. No weak corners. No entry points.
The materials are designed specifically for:
- Long Island weather conditions
- Coastal exposure
- Snow loads
- Long-term durability
Every installation includes solar panel pigeon proofing as standard.
We also handle the full scope of work when roof replacement is required due to:
- Animal damage
- Storm damage
- Roof aging
- System replacement
That includes:
- Electrical disconnect
- Solar panel removal
- Rail disassembly
- Coordinated roofing work
- Solar reinstallation
- Final inspection
Homeowners across Smithtown, Brookhaven, Massapequa, East Setauket, and communities across the North Shore and South Shore trust Solar Pro Roofing because we complete the entire job — roofing and solar — under one licensed and insured contractor.
No subcontracting. No finger-pointing between trades.
If your system was installed without critter guards — or if you’re unsure whether your existing protection was installed correctly — contact us for an inspection.
We service all of Suffolk County and Nassau County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can raccoons damage solar panels?
Yes. Raccoons are strong enough to physically breach roofing assemblies once they establish shelter beneath a solar array.
In documented Long Island field cases, raccoons have torn through shingles, synthetic underlayment, and plywood decking to access attic space.
The resulting damage often requires full roof replacement and complete solar detach-and-reset work.
Are critter guards for solar panels worth it?
Absolutely.
Professionally installed solar critter guards are highly effective at preventing animal intrusion.
The typical Long Island installation cost — $1,000 to $3,000 — is a fraction of the potential damage costs, which can exceed $30,000 once roofing, solar removal, and remediation are combined.
Do squirrels chew solar wiring?
Yes — and it’s one of the most underreported causes of solar underperformance on Long Island.
Squirrels will chew through DC cable insulation, sometimes down to the bare conductor, creating both electrical hazards and production loss.
A properly installed solar mesh guard eliminates squirrel access entirely.
Can birds nesting under solar panels create fire risks?
Yes.
Dry nesting material packed beneath panels can contact wiring and electrical equipment beneath the array.
Combustible nesting material has been identified as a contributing factor in residential solar fires.
Professionally installed solar panel pigeon proofing is highly effective at preventing this risk.
How much does a solar critter guard cost on Long Island?
Solar critter guard installation on Long Island typically ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on system size and array configuration.
Solar Pro Roofing provides free assessments for homeowners across Suffolk and Nassau Counties.
Do all solar companies install pest protection?
No.
Many solar installation companies do not include critter guards as standard equipment.
Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t discover this until after damage has already occurred.
If your system was installed without pest protection, contact a qualified roofing and solar contractor to have it professionally added.
Can animal damage affect my homeowners insurance claim?
Potentially, yes.
Some homeowners insurance carriers may dispute or limit coverage when long-term animal intrusion or preventable maintenance issues are involved.
Having professionally installed critter guards documented on record provides an additional layer of protection when filing a claim.
Protect Your Solar System. Call Solar Pro Roofing Today.
Solar Pro Roofing, LLC
Suffolk & Nassau Counties — Long Island, NY
631-901-6144
SolarProRoofing.net
✉️ info@solarproroofing.net
GAF Certified Plus™ (Residential)
GAF GoldElite™ (Commercial)
Fully Licensed & Insured
© 2025 Solar Pro Roofing, LLC. All rights reserved.
SolarProRoofing.net | info@solarproroofing.net | 631-901-6144
Jarret Sherrard is the owner-operator of Solar Pro Roofing, LLC, a GAF dual-certified roofing and solar contractor licensed and insured in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, New York. This article is based on direct field experience and first-hand observations from residential and commercial roofing and solar projects across Long Island.
