Protecting Structures and Open Areas From Pest Birds

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Solar Panel Bird Protection

Keeping Your Solar Investment Safe

Solar panels are a brilliant way to save on energy bills and lower your carbon footprint. However, they can easily become a haven for birds, especially pigeons, who look for warm and sheltered spots to nest.

Bird protection for solar panels is essential for any homeowner with rooftop solar panels in the UK. Without proper proofing, you risk damage to your panels, reduced efficiency and expensive cleaning and repairs later on. In this guide, we explain why protecting your solar panels from birds is so important, how to do it effectively and answer common questions about pigeon proofing your solar array.

Solar Panel Bird Protection

  • Damage to panels and wiring: Nesting birds bring twigs, straw and other debris under the panels which can block airflow and trap moisture. This can cause hot spots or corrosion on your panels and birds may also peck or disturb the wiring, leading to loose connections or short circuits that need repair.

  • Reduced energy efficiency: Bird droppings and feathers can soil the surface of your panels. Even small amounts of droppings create shaded areas that reduce energy output. Over time, a build up of grime and waste can significantly lower your system’s performance.

  • Blocked gutters and mess on the property: Birds nesting under solar panels often create a mess on your roof and in your gutters. Droppings and nest debris can clog gutters and downpipes, causing water overflow and potential damp problems.

Considering these impacts, bird proofing your solar panels is a wise investment for any solar owner. If birds have already nested, you may need a licensed professional to remove them safely and humanely.

Why do you need

Bird Protection for Solar Panels?

How to
Protect Solar Panels From Birds

Solar Panel Hawk Kite Protection

When it comes to protecting solar panels from birds, the most effective approach is to physically block access so birds cannot get underneath. Here are proven ways to keep your panels safe.

1. Install solar panel mesh (bird guard)
The most effective solution is to fit a fine steel mesh around the perimeter of your solar panels. Often called a bird guard or critter guard, this mesh closes off the gaps without affecting airflow. Once installed, the mesh stops pigeons and other birds from nesting underneath and is barely visible from the ground.

2. Use bird spikes on nearby perches
Adding bird spikes to roof ridges, chimney tops and other ledges around your panels discourages birds from perching nearby. The spikes are humane and simply make landing uncomfortable.

3. Consider visual deterrents
Hawk Kites or other visual deterrents may offer short term relief, but birds quickly learn to ignore them if they do not move or change position. These options work best as extra measures, rather than your main line of defence. The most important step is still to block access under the panels.

4. Regular cleaning and maintenance
If birds have already been nesting, clean away all nesting materials and droppings before installing any proofing. Birds are attracted back by the scent of their old nests. An annual inspection and clean up helps keep your solar panels in good condition and ensures your mesh remains intact and effective.

Why prevention is crucial to commercial bird control

Fire Hazards
Leakage
Unsafe work conditions
Transmitted diseases
Damage to buildings

How to install bird guard on solar panels?

Installing a bird guard mesh on solar panels can be done as a DIY job or by professionals, but always prioritise safety and proper roof access. First, remove any birds or nests humanely and clean the area.

Measure the full perimeter of your solar array to determine how much mesh is needed, then cut the mesh to size. Attach special clips to the panel frames without drilling, spacing them evenly for a strong hold. Secure the mesh to the clips all around, ensuring there are no gaps where birds could squeeze in.

Finally, trim any excess for a tidy finish. Once complete, the mesh is discreet from ground level and provides reliable, long-lasting protection for your panels.

Effortless bird control

Effective on rooftops and outdoor locations

The AVIX Autonomic bird deterrents effectively keep birds off rooftops and prevent birds from nesting. The system projects a laser light that scares birds away, making them relocate from the area.

Ideal for keeping birds away from buildings

The AVIX Autonomic works well in both indoor and outdoor locations. The laser projection is highly customizable via our mobile App, allowing you to target the areas of your buildings where birds roost.

Our Happy Customers

Thousands of customers from different sectors worldwide rely on our bird control services to solve their bird problems.

  • Gallo’s Innovative Use of Laser Bird Deterrent Technology for Effective and Sustainable Farming Practices

  • Eden Valley Vineyard Eliminates Bird Damage and Reduces Costs with Bird Control Group’s Laser Technology

  • A soybean farmer in South Korea reduces crop losses by 95% with the AVIX Autonomic Laser Bird Deterrent

solar panel bird protection FAQs

To stop pigeons from nesting under solar panels, the most effective solution is to install a physical barrier such as a wire mesh bird guard around the edge of your panels. The mesh is cut to fit and attached with special clips that do not damage the panels, creating a secure boundary pigeons cannot get through. Before installing, it is important to remove any nests and clean the area, as pigeons are drawn back by their own scent. You can also add extra deterrents like roof spikes or decoy predators to make the space even less attractive.

The initial cost of installing mesh and deterrents is small compared to the potential damage and losses caused by nesting birds over time. Pigeons can break or dislodge wiring, cause hotspots by covering parts of your panels and even lead to roof or panel damage, with repairs often proving very costly. By investing in quality bird protection, which in the UK typically starts from a few hundred pounds for a professional job, you protect an asset that likely cost thousands to install. It is a sensible preventative measure that saves money in the long run by avoiding cleaning costs, efficiency loss and expensive repairs.

It is highly recommended to install bird protection even if you have not had pigeons yet. Birds might not find your solar panels straight away, but there is always a risk they will, especially if there are many in your area. By the time you notice pigeons roosting or nesting, some damage may already be done. Installing a mesh bird guard as a preventive step means you avoid ever having to deal with a serious infestation. Birds often discover solar panels months or even years after they are fitted and can quickly move in. Given the relatively low cost and discreet appearance of bird proofing, it is sensible to do it proactively so you never have to worry about birds under your solar panels at all.

No, properly designed bird proofing solutions will not damage your solar panels or void your warranty. The key is to use the right products and correct installation techniques. Most solar panel bird protection kits use non-invasive clips that attach to the panel frame without any drilling, glue or permanent changes. These clips can be removed if needed, for example during maintenance, and they do not leave marks. You should avoid DIY methods that involve screwing into the panels or using strong adhesives, as these could affect both your warranty and the integrity of the panels.

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