Critter Guard prevents rodents (including pigeons, our most common flying rat) from destroying your solar install or causing serious hazards. This is required by electrical code under certain circumstances and product quality is a primary concern for us. This is turning into a serious concern for the industry and we want our customers aware of it to make the best decisions.
Critter Guard can add a soft shadow aesthetic that adds beauty to a solar panel installation and conceals space underneath from view for a more clean finish while also keeping out pigeons and squirrels that damage your investment. The space underneath a solar array is protected from predators, is warm, has airflow and is sheltered from bad weather. Pigeons have discovered this paradise and have become incredibly good at finding solar homes and setting up shop with serious biological health hazards & property enjoyment issues for humans as well as physical risk to the function of your solar panel installation.
The cost of installing Critter Guard varies widely based on how large the Edmonton solar installation is, how many shapes and corners, how difficult to access (steep, etc) and can run into several thousand dollars in cases where difficult systems require cleanup and significant pigeon removal with installation of the guard product. It is advised that you consider Critter Guard at the time of your solar installation if you are in an area where pigeons live, to save cost. It may be an unwelcome addition at that time while already facing a large capital expense, but the peace of mind is well worth is as the industry continues to learn how bad these pests can be over several years of buildup. A little over $1,000 is a good starting point for installing Critter Guard on the smallest, simplest systems and it does not need to be installed by solar trained electricians but the technicians who install the solar arrays are generally the most careful and invested in your project and can be trusted to do the best job overall. There are several product types available with different quality and cost choices.
Work with one of our Edmonton-based contractors who can talk to you about the levels of risk and need in plain language and help you determine your needs.
In Alberta this is a newer (as of 2020/2021) industry concern, which is growing as the solar industry grows. In other areas with more solar pest control companies are beginning to specialize in the pigeon removal and companies are expanding to provide installation services for these Critter Guard products. See this UK reference here, where they’ve learned some of the lessons we are currently learning and this California Solar Cleaning company which is an example of a service that develops in areas with massive solar industry activity.
You teach us, we teach you! In this early stage, we learn about your energy needs and goals while conducting a detailed 3D site assessment. We'll review a preliminary solar plan and talk about everything that goes along with solar.
No pressure, no rush—this is about finding the perfect solar solution for your space.
We work through the proposal in consultation with you, walking through your options and making sure every detail reflects your priorities before anything is finalized. No pressure, no surprises — just a straightforward conversation about what works best for you.
We go the extra mile to provide transparent pricing with financing options.
We handle all permits and utility approvals. Timelines depend on external authorities, but our reputation and expertise ensure smooth navigation through red tape!
Time to NINJA THAT JOB! Our certified electricians install your system with precision, test everything thoroughly, and ensure it's ready for inspection.
We pass inspections, receive permission to operate, and hand over comprehensive documentation.
Your solar future begins—lifetime energy production starts now!
You teach us, we teach you! In this early stage, we learn about your energy needs and goals while conducting a detailed 3D site assessment. We'll review a preliminary solar plan and talk about everything that goes along with solar.
No pressure, no rush—this is about finding the perfect solar solution for your space.
We work through the proposal in consultation with you, walking through your options and making sure every detail reflects your priorities before anything is finalized. No pressure, no surprises — just a straightforward conversation about what works best for you.
We go the extra mile to provide transparent pricing with financing options.
We handle all permits and utility approvals. Timelines depend on external authorities, but our reputation and expertise ensure smooth navigation through red tape!
Time to NINJA THAT JOB! Our certified electricians install your system with precision, test everything thoroughly, and ensure it's ready for inspection.
We pass inspections, receive permission to operate, and hand over comprehensive documentation.
Your solar future begins—lifetime energy production starts now!
Yes! Critter guards can be retrofitted to any existing solar system. If you’re already experiencing animal problems (nesting sounds, droppings on panels, or visible damage), we recommend acting quickly—the longer animals inhabit the space, the more damage they cause. SolarNinjas can inspect your system, remove any existing nests safely, repair any wiring damage, and install critter guards to prevent future issues. We also offer critter guard installation as part of all new solar installations.
Birds, squirrels, and other animals love nesting under solar panels—the space provides shelter, warmth, and protection from predators. Without critter guards, animals can: damage wiring (leading to system failure or fire hazards), create nests that block airflow (reducing panel efficiency), leave droppings that corrode equipment, and create entry points for roof leaks. Critter guards are a small investment that prevents thousands of dollars in damage and maintains your solar system’s performance and warranty.
Conditions for Solar electricity generating in Alberta range somewhere between very good and stunningly excellent. Alberta is nearly twice the size of Germany (current world leader and example of Solar excellence) and we also have nearly twice the solar energy being shone upon us every day for every square inch of land. Yet they have 18,000 times more solar power installed than we do. See that slightly darker orange zone around the north saskatchewan river? We’re right in the middle of that solar gold mine.
AB vs Germany
We have always relied on scientific data from the federal government to carefully calculate solar exposure, measure it and then design off that. However what we now know is that the entire area is so rich in solar resource that it almost doesn’t matter! We are bathed in sunlight all winter, and the cold temperatures make up for the shorter days. (Solar Panels work better in the cold due to higher efficiency, less heat generated).
Additionally to the days of sun we get, we have a lot of available land overall. We have an overabundance of roofspace facing east south and west which is perfect for solar and we lack serious shading issues in most areas because we are wide open spaces without a lot of crazy hills and small mountains.
Solar works well enough on our cloudy days that year on year we get enough power from the sun that if we wanted to we could power Germany directly.
Bottom line, in the Edmonton area (and in most of the province) if you can face solar panels anywhere from East all the way around to south or West you have good reason to be generating your own power.
With a long history of contracting in the residential marketplace and many forms of heavier construction spanning several decades, we feel the time is right to focus on renewable energy and modern technology in the electrical field.
SolarNinjas is dedicated to providing not only great gear but also education and awareness so that the customer is fully able to appreciate what they are getting and the service we provide. We want you to really KNOW, not just trust us. We will teach you the secrets of photon ninjutsu…if desired.
There are several excellent industry leading specialists in this field, we know, we trained with them from early in the industry. We are doing this because it’s important not just because it’s work. Beware of unlicensed installers, fly by night operations, and unqualified people who make the industry fraught with risk. We feel it’s our duty to be a leading demonstrator of what great work and great service looks like. Having worked for others, it’s time to strike out on our own.
We’re deadly at our craft, we do it with a strong sense of pride and we fiercely represent our client’s interests in the Alberta marketplace. It is our hope that you will enjoy and appreciate what we do, to that end we want to be your Ninjas. Hire us!
