[RatchetWerks]

I’ve been considering this for a while. I have a fence that is south facing, with no major obstructions.

I want solar but I don’t want the liability of a roof install with leaks and servicing.

I’ve landed either on a solar pergola or a solar fence . Both concepts seem like a no brainer.

I like the solar fence since it allows you to cleverly avoid setback requirements that normal structures have.

I’m glad people like Joey are doing projects like this.

[bradfa]

Make sure to clearly read your jurisdiction’s setback requirements. Mine does not comprehend solar on a fence, it only clearly defines rules for privacy fences, solar on existing permitted structures, and dedicated ground mount solar installations. Solar on a fence isn’t a configuration it considers so I expect if I would apply for a permit to build a solar fence that I would have to convince my AHJ that it’s a privacy fence in order to use fence setback allowances, which would be tricky and likely not be a quick process.

Talk to your AHJ before spending any money.

[RatchetWerks]

Good call! I’m purely in the idea phase, I will definitely take your advice as I get closer

[woodpanel]

> the liability of a roof install with leaks and servicing

Also expect a dove colony to enjoy the new comfort. All your neighbors will thank you for their homes turning into guano rocks, a sight once reserved to adventurous travelers.

Their nests, which will quickly accumulate under your roof's panels, offer not one but two existential threats for your home: They can catch fire when too dry, but also act as a water barrier, pushing the water into your roof.

[pjc50]

You don't have to bang on about "fanaticism", but yes the anti-bird fitting is an important part of the project that is not often mentioned, and I had to have it retrofitted as well. Cost almost two years worth of electricity.

Near me there are new builds with panels integrated flush into the roof. This seems like a much better way to do it, and will become the norm long term.

[alias_neo]

You're being downvoted for perhaps missing that there is a solution, bird-mesh or skirts, but your point is absolutely accurate.

We were not quoted for the mesh in our install and the day the panels were fitted we had a bird build a nest on another part of the roof, some quick research suggested that people in the area _highly_ recommend getting it, so we had it added at an absolutely ridiculous markup that added a whole year to our ROI but it needed to be done.

[woodpanel]

Well it's not a surprise that green energy fanatics act fanatic, is it?

Obviously there is a solution, but I'd say the vast majority of either fanatics or normies tinkering with the idea of installing a solar roof know anything about those severe problems.

I've installed one recently. I've asked every prospective contractor for the job beforehand about whether I should get some mesh around it. All said they never heard of such a problem. And if virtually all the people that installed all these roofs in your area tell the same story, what do you do?

Half a year later the whole block turned into Guano dump and once the plague is there, mesh around the panels won't do – you need to install spikes as well, because as long as not every solar roof in your vicinity is "meshed" these colonies are still going to use your roof for their "business" as well.

EDIT: Since you've mentioned ROI, the premium for installing the panels with the mesh directly would have been around 500€, having to do it separately (plus the additional spikes) cost 2500€

[nerdralph]

We install rodent guard mesh on all our residential rooftop installations. The Canadian Electrical Code requires it in most instances. Rule 64-210 5):

Where the dc arc-fault protection referred to in Rule 64-216 is not located at the module, photovoltaic source circuit insulated conductors and cables installed on or above a building and installed in accordance with Subrules 1), 2), and 3) shall be provided with mechanical protection in the form of an enclosed raceway or other acceptable material to protect against damage from rodents.

[alias_neo]

> the vast majority of either fanatics or normies tinkering with the idea of installing a solar roof know anything about those severe problems

I think you missed the word "don't" in there, in which case, totally agree.

Despite the installer I used being highly recommended and supposedly extremely reputable (and owned by a major energy supplier), they made no effort to educate me on the various options, I came into this knowing little to nothing about having a solar installation in my home and what scenarios, and solutions were available.

Once I'd agreed to the install, I spent days researching and learned there was a _huge_ host of choices, decisions, configurations etc they just didn't bother to tell me about.

I had to go back and do the upsell for them because I had learned I needed these things (such as the bird mesh).

Best I can tell, is that green incentives in the UK are pushing installers to churn out cookie cutter installs at an alarming rate regardless of its suitability; at no point did they discuss whether I wanted blackout protection (gateway/off grid), didn't ask or even mention the existence of bird mesh, no questions of monitoring, massively under specified the battery capacity for the size of my home, and didn't account for the fact my wife and I work from home every day.

On the mesh point, that's how they got me; they know the cost of installing it later is immense, so they over-charged to add it to my purchase when the scaffolding was already up and installers already on site, and I had no choice or it would have cost me 4-5x more to do it later.

[GordonS]

Some chicken wire can solve this problem.