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" <k...@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> > k...@reconnectsolar.com > > On Wed, Jun 21, 2017 at 11:07 AM, Benn Kilburn <b...@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 <b...@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] <b...@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] >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re >> -wrenc...@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches. > org/maillist.html > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out or update participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
