Possum Damage to Solar Panels in Australia: What It Looks Like and What to Do
Possums nesting under solar panels cause wiring damage, noise, and costly repairs. This guide covers identification, prevention, and legal removal options for Australian homeowners.
Australia’s two most common urban possum species — the Common Brushtail (Trichosurus vulpecula) and the Common Ringtail (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) — have discovered that the warm, sheltered cavity beneath rooftop solar panels is an excellent substitute for a hollow tree. The result for the solar panel owner can range from noisy disturbance to thousands of dollars in wiring damage.
Unlike birds, possums are heavier, more destructive, and legally protected in every Australian state and territory. You cannot simply remove them — but you absolutely can exclude them.
Why Possums Target Solar Panel Arrays
Possums are opportunistic shelter-seekers that favour:
- Warmth — the underside of a solar panel array stays warmer than the surrounding roof on cool nights, as the panels retain and radiate heat absorbed during the day
- Shelter from weather — the panel overhang creates a dry, protected cavity similar to a tree hollow
- Elevated position — roof height provides safety from ground predators (foxes, dogs, cats)
- Proximity to food sources — urban gardens, fruit trees, and native plantings in most Australian suburbs are within easy foraging range
The modern trend toward large 10 to 13 kW arrays with a high percentage of roof coverage has inadvertently created some of the most attractive possum habitat in the urban environment.
Which Possum Species Causes Solar Damage?
Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
Weight: 1.5 to 4.5 kg | Distribution: All mainland states and territories, common in suburban areas
The Brushtail is the primary culprit in solar panel damage cases. Its size and weight means it can dislodge panel frames, pull at mounting brackets, and compress cable runs. Brushtails are also strongly territorial and will defend a favoured roosting site aggressively.
Damage signature: Deep scratch marks on panel frames, heavy nesting material (bark, leaves, paper), large droppings (30 to 40 mm), chewed cables with significant bite radius.
Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
Weight: 0.7 to 1.1 kg | Distribution: Eastern and south-western coastal Australia, heavily suburban
The Ringtail is smaller but can cause more insidious wiring damage because it builds elaborate stick nests in tight spaces — exactly the kind of space between panels and roof cladding. It chews finer wiring and conduit more readily than the Brushtail.
Damage signature: Finely woven nest material tightly packed into panel corners, thinner bite marks on wiring insulation, smaller droppings (15 to 20 mm).
Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis)
Status: Critically endangered | Distribution: South-west Western Australia (Busselton, Manjimup, Albany)
If you live in WA’s South West, note that the Western Ringtail is critically endangered. Any interaction including accidental trapping must be reported to DBCA (WA’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions). Exclusion measures are all the more important to implement early.
Signs of Possum Activity Under Solar Panels
Identifying possum activity early prevents major damage. Watch for:
| Sign | Notes |
|---|---|
| Thumping/scratching at dusk or dawn | Possums are nocturnal; activity peaks at dusk (leaving to forage) and before dawn (returning) |
| Nesting material at panel edges | Leaves, twigs, shredded insulation pushed out from under panel skirts |
| Ammonia odour from roof area | Possum urine has a strong, distinctive smell detectable in the roof cavity |
| Unexplained output drops on specific strings | Indicates wiring damage; use your inverter’s string-level monitoring if available |
| Visible droppings on roof | Dark, cylindrical droppings 15 to 40 mm; concentrated near panel perimeter |
| Scratch marks on panel frames or racking | Aluminium racking shows deep claw marks from heavy brushtails |
| Chewed conduit or cable ties | Often visible from the roof edge without needing to climb |
The Damage Possums Actually Cause
Wiring Damage (Most Common)
Solar systems have two main wiring runs that possums target:
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DC cable runs between panels — typically 4mm or 6mm twin-core cable with black UV-resistant insulation. Possums chew the insulation, exposing live DC conductors. Exposed DC wiring is a serious fire risk, particularly in hot weather when DC current is higher.
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Cable ties and conduit — possums consistently chew the plastic components that secure cable runs to the racking. When cables come loose, they contact the roof or racking in ways that create arcing risk.
Structural Damage
Heavy brushtail possums can dislodge rail-mounted clamps if they consistently lever their weight against the same point, push debris into the drain gaps between panel rows causing water pooling, and damage roof cladding beneath the panels through repeated foot traffic and scratching.
Inverter and Optimiser Damage
If a chewed cable creates a ground fault, the inverter’s protection circuits trip repeatedly — causing nuisance shutdown events that reduce daily production. In worst cases, a ground fault can damage the inverter’s input stage, requiring a costly repair or replacement.
Hygiene and Additional Costs
Possum urine and faeces under panels creates corrosion of aluminium racking over time, algae and mould growth on roof cladding, and an ongoing smell that can be detectable inside the roof cavity.
Legal Framework: What You Can and Cannot Do
Every Australian state protects possums under wildlife legislation:
| State/Territory | Relevant Legislation | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 | Cannot relocate more than 50m; licensed handlers only for trapped animals |
| VIC | Wildlife Act 1975 | Can trap and release on same property; cannot relocate |
| QLD | Nature Conservation Act 1992 | Licensed permit required to trap; release on same property |
| WA | Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (WA) | Licensed handler required; special rules for Western Ringtail |
| SA | National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 | Cannot trap without permit; exclusion strongly recommended |
| TAS | Nature Conservation Act 2002 | Common Brushtail not protected — can be relocated, but humane methods required |
The practical implication: in every state except Tasmania, trapping and relocating possums away from your property is illegal without a licence. The solution that is both legal and effective is exclusion — preventing access to the roof space entirely.
Exclusion Solutions: Blocking Possum Access
Solar Panel Perimeter Mesh (Primary Solution)
The same steel mesh used for bird proofing works effectively for possums, with one important difference: the mesh must be heavier gauge than standard bird mesh, as brushtails can push through or pull at thin mesh. Use:
- Minimum 0.8mm galvanised steel wire mesh (not chicken wire, which corrodes and has gaps too large for ringtails)
- Perimeter skirt height: 150 to 200mm (taller than standard bird mesh to account for possum leverage)
- Fastening: secured with UV-resistant cable ties and stainless steel screws into racking — not adhesive clips which possums can dislodge
Professional installation by a licensed solar cleaner or bird proofing specialist: $350 to $700 for a standard 6.6 kW array, depending on access complexity.
Roof-Level Exclusion
If possums are accessing your roof from trees or structures, addressing the access route prevents them from reaching the panels in the first place. Methods include tree limb trimming (keep branches at least 1.5m from the roof), plastic tree guards on downpipes to stop possums climbing, and roller barriers on fence lines adjacent to the roof.
Providing Alternative Habitat
Counterintuitively, installing a possum nesting box in a nearby tree can reduce panel intrusions by giving the resident possum a preferred alternative. Wildlife Victoria and WIRES distribute nesting box plans and some local councils offer subsidised installations.
What to Do If You Find a Possum Under Your Panels
- Do not attempt to pick up or handle the possum — they bite and scratch and carry mites
- Contact your local wildlife rescue group (WIRES 1300 094 737 in NSW/QLD, Wildlife Victoria 1300 094 535, etc.)
- Book a licensed solar installer to install exclusion mesh before the possum returns
- Contact your insurer to check whether any wiring damage is covered under your home and contents policy
- Have a licensed electrician inspect the DC wiring before turning the system back on — do not operate a system with suspected wiring damage
Insurance and Warranty Considerations
Most manufacturer warranties explicitly exclude animal damage. Many comprehensive home and contents policies include animal damage or pest damage as an insured event. Call your insurer and specifically ask whether possum chewing of solar DC cabling falls under the policy. If making an insurance claim, photograph the damage in detail before any repairs, keep the chewed cable sections, and obtain a written assessment from the repairing electrician or solar technician.
Summary
Possums under solar panels are a genuine and growing problem in Australian suburbs. They cause real damage — primarily to DC wiring — and the combination of wildlife protection laws and roof access means removal is rarely a legal option.
The permanent solution is professional exclusion mesh installation, combined with addressing access routes from trees and structures. It costs $350 to $700 and prevents recurring damage, insurance claims, and the safety risk of exposed DC cabling.
If you suspect possum activity under your panels, address it before the next summer. DC wiring damage from possum chewing is one of the more common causes of solar fires in residential properties.
Last updated: April 2026. Wildlife legislation references are current as of writing. Always check current state legislation before taking action involving protected wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All possum species are protected under state and territory wildlife legislation across Australia. You cannot trap and relocate them yourself in most states — they must be released within 50 metres of where they were caught, and in some states only licensed wildlife handlers can legally remove them. Exclusion (blocking access) is the legal and practical long-term solution.
Common signs include: scratching or thumping sounds on your roof at dusk and dawn, visible nesting material (leaves, twigs, insulation) at panel edges, chewed or frayed wiring visible from the ground or roof edge, strong ammonia smell near the roof, and unexplained output drops from specific panels in your array.
Yes in most cases. Solar panel manufacturer warranties cover defects in materials and workmanship, not wildlife damage. Inverter warranties similarly exclude pest damage. However, possum-related damage may be covered under your home and contents insurance policy if you have a comprehensive policy with an animal damage clause. Check your Product Disclosure Statement.
Steel mesh bird/possum exclusion mesh installed around the perimeter of your panel array is the most effective long-term solution. This must be done by a licensed installer to avoid voiding your panel warranty. The mesh prevents access without harming the animals. Do not use chicken wire as gaps are too large for smaller possums and it corrodes.
Wiring repairs typically cost $150 to $400 per panel depending on the extent of damage. If an optimiser, microinverter, or main wiring harness is chewed, costs can reach $500 to $1,200. Full panel replacement for cracked or heavily damaged panels runs $300 to $600 per panel installed. The average possum damage claim when covered by insurance is $600 to $1,800.