--- title: What is a Critter Guard? description: Due to their dark color, solar panels heat up in the sun. In the winter, warm panels can sometimes provide a welcome respite for cold critters like squirrels and birds. Animals nesting under your pane --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/what-is-a-critter-guard#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![project solar logo - for light bg.png\]](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/project%20solar%20logo%20-%20for%20light%20bg.png?height=20&name=project%20solar%20logo%20-%20for%20light%20bg.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - projectsolar.com projectsolar.com Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [FAQ](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration?hsLang=en) 2. [Solar Basics](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en) 3. [Solar Insights: Deeper, More Technical Info](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en#solar-insights-deeper-more-technical-info) # What is a Critter Guard? Due to their dark color, solar panels heat up in the sun. In the winter, warm panels can sometimes provide a welcome respite for cold critters like squirrels and birds. Animals nesting under your panels isn't ideal, as they can damage or dislodge wiring--this can contribute to panel outages and therefore production issues.  If you live in a neighborhood with a lot of local wildlife, adding a **critter guard** could be a good investment against future repairs--especially if your area gets cold in the winter.  A critter guard functions as a netting or grate to close off the area between your panels and the roof. | [![What is a Critter Guard\_ ()\_10632379863323](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/What%20is%20a%20Critter%20Guard_%20()_10632379863323.png?width=279&height=213&name=What%20is%20a%20Critter%20Guard_%20()_10632379863323.png)](https://www.greentechrenewables.com/product/heyco-sunscreener-stainless-steel-wire-mesh-4-s6464-100-ft) | | --- | | *The critter guard that Project Solar sources, by HEYCO. For information on the wire clips used, see [this link.](https://cdn.myced.com/images/Products/ZZ0000/ZZ0142/00000/ZZ014200076_DS.pdf)* | For regions with less wildlife and temperate climate, critter guards are usually unnecessary.   Project Solar does not include critter guards by default, but we do offer them as an optional add-on. The cost of this service is $0.05 per watt.    - [Solar Basics](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Solar 101: The Fundamentals](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en#solar-101-the-fundamentals) - [Solar Insights: Deeper, More Technical Info](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en#solar-insights-deeper-more-technical-info) - [Custom Solar Projects](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/custom-solar-projects?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Full Service Install](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/custom-solar-projects?hsLang=en#full-service-install) - [Financial Information](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/financial-information?hsLang=en) - [Project Solar Power Bank Products](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/project-solar-power-bank-products?hsLang=en) - [Additional Info](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/additional-info?hsLang=en) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/project%20solar%20logo%20-%20for%20light%20bg-1.png?width=201&height=17&name=project%20solar%20logo%20-%20for%20light%20bg-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://projectsolar.com) At Project Solar, we aim to make solar so incredibly easy and affordable that it becomes the financially prudent energy option for all homeowners. Copyright © 2026, Project Solar