[RE-wrenches] Rodent/Pigeon/Critter Guards

[Ken Schaal]

I have noticed that squirrels are often looking for salt,  so wearing
gloves is a good practice when wiring.

On Jun 22, 2017 11:33 AM, "Kyle Lord" <kyle at reconnectsolar.com> wrote:

> Hello Benn,
>
> We have been addressing this issue here in Colorado for quite some time
> and have had great success with our methodology(3000+ critter guards=no
> failures yet). We utilize a specific wire mesh that is a little more rigid
> than most available online. We take time to prep the material so that it
> has a tight fit between the modules and roof. For example, the gap is 4".
> We will bend 2" in on either side so that the material is in the shape of a
> "C" with the long, flat side being 4". We then cut to fit each piece of
> mesh and mostly rely on fastening to the racking system with a stainless
> self-drilling screw/washer combo. With diagonal cutters, installers can
> easily cut a flange in the mesh and drill through this at that attachment
> point. We also reinforce the mesh where needed with a Spiffy clip(Heyco
> clips were loose on service calls where Spiffy clips were still
> surprisingly strong). If you are using a rail less system, more panel
> specific clips are necessary. Simply rolling out mesh and using j-hooks is
> not a great method and I have stumbled on many systems failed using this
> method.
>
> I wouldn't completely write off the mesh/j-hook combo but perhaps take a
> look at a different methodology and incorporate fastening to the rail
> system. Price is another thing to consider. Our installers can quickly
> install a critter guard using this methodology and it only utilizes a few
> expensive custom clips vs. a higher quantity of cheaper yet sufficient
> fasteners.
>
> I have primarily focused on service calls in Colorado, and a surprising
> amount of calls are related to either rodents or pigeons. This is a very
> easy headache to avoid upfront and the cost of mesh and a few fasteners is
> far less than a future truck roll. Feel free to reach out to me off the
> list for more info as I feel we have a good track record with this specific
> topic.
>
>
> *Kyle Lord*
> Co-Owner & Founder
> Reconnect Solar, LLC
> Reconnect Material & Supply, LLC
> NABCEP Certified Installer
> 970.485.0207 <(970)%20485-0207>
> kyle at reconnectsolar.com
>
> On Wed, Jun 21, 2017 at 11:07 AM, Benn Kilburn <benn at skyfireenergy.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I'm hoping to get some feedback on this topic, as there was none when I
>> posted it back in 2015.
>>
>> Our region is seeing more and more problems with pigeons nesting under PV
>> arrays, mostly on new homes in newly developed areas of the city.
>> We have been called to some sites that had particularly bad problems with
>> pigeons nesting and pigeon poop covering the roof itself (surprisingly more
>> so that the array, unless it is just the rain washing it off the modules
>> easier than the roof?) and the eavestroughs filled with poop and
>> overflowing onto the ground.
>>
>> We really want to nip this issue in the butt since none of us want people
>> associating PV systems with pigeon problems. We have heard that some of
>> these problem houses have a neighbourhood reputation as "the pigeon house".
>>
>> Has anyone tried and had success with any of the solutions "other than"
>> the wire mesh and J-hooks??? I'm not confidant that the j-hooks are robust
>> enough to last very long. We often have several on each install that the
>> washer simply will not hold  tight.
>> (See the prior post below for some other suggestions)
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Benn
>> SkyFire Energy
>>
>> On Jul 22, 2015, at 2:00 PM, Benn Kilburn <benn at skyfireenergy.com> wrote:
>>
>> Wrenches,
>> I've looked and found a few older threads on the topic but thought it is
>> a good time to refresh our collective info on this as we are getting more
>> requests to install these (and it is also going to be required by code on
>> some systems when our province adopts the 2015 Canadian Electrical Code.
>> We currently use the 2012 code)
>>
>> The issue that we are directly addressing is mostly pigeons hanging
>> out/nesting under rooftop arrays, for now.  I haven't heard of any specific
>> rodent issues in our region.
>>
>> I have installed the SnapNRack Edge Screen.  This was on a concrete tile
>> roof so the problem i saw with that was the screen did not contour the
>> tile, leaving a small gap where one tile overlaps the one below it, roughly
>> 25mm (1").  This would not be an issue with keeping out pigeons, but i
>> could imagine that a persistent rodent could squeeze its way thru the small
>> gap.  This would not be an issue on the more common asphalt shingle roofs
>> and i would say it is a solid product.
>>
>> The products i'm aware of are:
>> SnapNRack
>> Kinetic
>> Heyco
>> spiffysolar
>> solatrim.com
>>
>>
>> Kinetic, Heyco, and Spiffy each seem to be basically the same; wire mesh
>> and a j-hook that attaches to the module frame.
>>
>> SnapNRack is wire mesh but attaches with a more more robust clip that
>> also provides more vertical support to the mesh. (It was suggested that
>> rodents may be able to push under the mesh when its only supported at the
>> top with j-hooks)
>>
>> I've seen the wire mesh installed so that it comes down only as far as
>> the roof, so the height of the mesh is essentially the height from the top
>> of the mod frame to the roof surface, but i have also seen it where the
>> mesh is taller than this and the excess (rather than being trimmed to size)
>> comes down and lays out on the roof in an outward direction.  It was
>> suggested that this may be more of a deterrent to rodents that would
>> otherwise push their way under the mesh if it only comes down to meet the
>> roof.
>> Comments/Suggestions?
>>
>> The last product mentioned, solatrim, is completely different from the
>> rest. It looks much more solid that the rest and uses a peel-and-stick
>> approach using a 3M adhesive tape.  My first and only initial apprehension
>> with this one is the adhesive.  While 3M makes darn good adhesives, it
>> leaves to question how it will hold up against our seasonal ambient
>> temperature swings of above +30degC to below -40degC.  Their spec sheet
>> states it is good btwn -34.4degC to 149degC. So for me to even try it would
>> not be within the mfgr's specs :(
>>
>> What products have you used?  What did you like/dislike about them?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> *Benn Kilburn *
>> CSA Certified Solar Photovoltaic Systems Electrician, SkyFire Energy Inc
>> 6706 – 82 Ave NW | Edmonton, AB | T6B 0E7
>> P: 780-474-8992 <(780)%20474-8992> | F: 888-405-5843 <(888)%20405-5843>
>>  | www.skyfireenergy.com
>> [image: email] <benn at skyfireenergy.com> [image: facebook]
>> <https://www.facebook.com/SkyFireEnergy> [image: twitter]
>> <https://twitter.com/SkyFireEnergy> [image: linkedin]
>> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/283735?trk=tyah&trkInfo=tarId%3A1408655033432%2Ctas%3Askyfire%2Cidx%3A2-2-5>
>>  [image: google] <https://plus.google.com/+SkyFireEnergy/>
>>
>> [image: SkyFire Energy Logo_horizontal]
>>
>>
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