Pigeon Proofing for Solar Panels

Signs pigeons are under your panels

Birds flying in and out from beneath the array, feathers and twigs poking out at the edges, droppings on the panels and the ground below, gutters filling with nesting material and scratching or cooing on the roof are all strong signs.

Our guide to pigeons nesting under solar panels explains why arrays attract them and what goes wrong if they stay.

How solar panel proofing works

A mesh guard is fitted around the perimeter of the array, closing the gap between the panel edges and the roof. It is generally held with clips attached to the panel frames, so the panels themselves are not drilled. Rain and air still pass through.

The exact mesh and clip system depends on the panels and roof and is confirmed when we quote. Where the array is in several blocks, each block is proofed.

Clearing underneath first

Before the mesh goes on, accessible nesting material, droppings and debris are cleared from under the edges of the array, so they are not sealed in. Gutters below are cleared too, because they usually collect the worst of the debris.

Removing the old nests also removes the cues that encourage birds to try to return.

Working around active nests

Wild birds and nests in use are generally protected. We check for active nests before starting, and if birds are nesting, the work waits until the nest is no longer in use. We never trap birds under an array.

Feral pigeons can breed for much of the year, so checks are needed every time rather than assuming a season is clear.

Cleaning the panels

Panels that have hosted pigeons are usually heavily soiled. Cleaning them after proofing, using gentle low-pressure methods suited to glass, means you start with clear panels and no birds underneath. Our solar panel cleaning service can be quoted alongside.

Our proofing vs cleaning guide explains why both are often needed and in which order.

Perching birds and the wider roof

Mesh stops nesting under the panels, but birds may still perch on the ridge or an aerial above. If droppings continue from perching birds, bird spikes and deterrents on those spots can help.

If pigeons are also getting into eaves or soffits, those gaps can be proofed in the same visit; see pigeon proofing.

Why pigeons pick panels over the rest of the roof

The panels shelter the tiles below from rain and wind, they warm in the sun, and predators cannot see in. A pair that raises young there successfully will usually return, and other pigeons follow. That is why problems often get worse year on year if nothing is done.

Houses with panels on a street can become the favoured nesting site over neighbours without them.

New and recently installed arrays

If your panels are new and birds have not found them yet, proofing early can stop the problem before it starts. Some owners ask for mesh soon after installation for this reason.

Check with your installer about any guidance on accessories attached to the frames; we can explain the clip system before fitting.

Looking after the mesh

Once fitted, the mesh needs little attention. An occasional look from the ground shows whether any section has moved or whether leaves have built up behind it. If panels are cleaned in future, the mesh can be checked at the same visit.

Let us know if you see birds getting underneath again, as a gap may need closing.

Getting a quote

Tell us how many panels you have, how they are laid out and what signs of birds you have seen. A photograph of the array edges from the ground is ideal. Use the form on this page, WhatsApp or call 07752 853583 for a free, no-obligation quote.