Pigeon Proof Your Solar Panels

Solar panels have exploded in popularity over the past decade or so. With the huge increase in energy prices, that’s set to continue well into the future.

Which presents a problem.

When humans encroach on what birds have regarded as their own territory, in this case your roof, trouble can occur.

Solar panels rely on maximum surface area to generate electricity for your home. They have been made as self-cleaning as possible, but nothing can help against birds.

Pigeons can regard solar panels as somewhere to nest or somewhere to go to the toilet.

Neither of which is good news for your panels!

If it isn’t pigeons, it’s seagulls. If you live by the sea, gulls are even worse. They are bigger, love to roost on a roof and their droppings are bigger too!

So, what can you do?

Why do pigeons love solar panels?

There’s a mix of influences going on here. One, pigeons don’t really care about solar panels as such. They just see someone encroaching on their turf, the roof.

Then they realise a solar panel is a nice, warm place to nest and hang out. The spaces underneath and between panels also provide a little shelter from the wind and rain.

What self-respecting bird wouldn’t want to take advantage of that?

It isn’t just pigeons, gulls and other birds also quickly realise the potential of a nice warm solar panel.

What impact do birds have on solar panels?

Birds can have a detrimental effect on solar panels, not least making them look bad on your roof!

Birds can reduce the efficiency of solar panels and damage panels or mounts.

Reducing the efficiency of solar panels

Bird mess and nesting material that cover any aspect of the panel will reduce its efficiency. Panels need as much surface area as possible.

Any reduction in that surface area reduces the efficiency of a panel.

While bird droppings may be small, multiply them many times and you could lose a significant portion of your generation potential!

Bird damage to solar panels

Even though solar panels are far stronger than your average pigeon, there is still potential for damage.

Pigeon droppings have lots of acid, which can eat away at the surface of the panel as well as the fixings.

Birds can also inadvertently damage panels and fixings when building nests and generally moving around.

In extreme circumstances, they can bite or scratch the panel and any exposed wiring.

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How can you pigeon proof a solar panel?

Most solar panels have a 25 year operating life. It’s in your interest to ensure each panel can reliably generate energy for at least that long.

Pigeon proofing can play a part in that if birds are a problem on your roof.

Pigeon proofing has three steps:

1. Cleaning the solar panels of any existing mess
2. Using a biocide to prevent bacterial buildup and mites
3. Installation of a physical barrier to prevent pigeons nesting

Cleaning the solar panels of any existing mess

The first step is to make sure your solar panels are clean and able to generate as much energy as possible. That begins with a good clean.

Approaches differ, but the usual approach is to clear the pigeons and wipe the panels down with water and a safe cleaning solution.

Depending on the time of year, any nests will need to be cleared too. This is season-dependent because of eggs.

Using a biocide to prevent bacterial buildup and mites

You can then use a biocide to help kill bacteria and any fleas or mites the pigeons leave behind.

Biocide is frequently used when cleaning fascias and gutters and helps prevent algae, moss and anything else growing on or around your panels.

Installation of a physical barrier to prevent pigeons nesting

The final step is the installation of a physical barrier to prevent pigeons and other birds coming back.

We’ll get to the exact type of physical barrier in a minute.

The barrier will prevent birds being able to nest and settle on your panels and hopefully convince them to hang out elsewhere.

Types of pigeon proofing for solar panels

There are a few things you can do to help prevent pigeons from roosting on your roof and damaging solar panels.

One is a simple change you can make that can work but isn’t guaranteed. There are also physical barriers that are known to work.

First let’s talk about that simple change.

Keep your garden tidy

Keep your garden clean, your rubbish safe in bags or wheelie bin and make sure there is no food for pigeons to eat.

Pigeons will often roost where there is a ready supply of food. Whether that’s a bird feeder, food waste thrown onto a vegetable patch or compost heap or some bin bags to raid.

Remove the food and pigeons will have one less reason to hang around.

Now to those physical barriers.

Bird mesh

Bird mesh is like chicken wire that can be installed on the edge of solar panels to prevent birds making themselves too comfortable.

If you find birds nesting underneath or between your panels, this is the approach to use. It doesn’t impact the efficiency as it doesn’t cover any panel.

Bird blockers

Bird blockers are a more advanced version of bird mesh that attaches to the side of your solar panels.

They are usually black, the same colour as the panel so is almost invisible from a distance. They are the most aesthetically pleasing solution and attach directly to the edge of the panel or mount.

Anti-roosting spikes

Anti-roosting spikes are more obvious but also more common. You’ll often see them on buildings by the seaside to prevent gulls roosting.

They involve a strip of spikes you attach to the roof that can stop birds landing or nesting. They are more obvious than bird mesh and can be seen from a distance but they are very effective.

Each of these three solutions can help keep pigeons off your roof and your solar panels. Each has its pros and cons but they can all help keep your solar panels dirt free and provide free, renewable electricity for the foreseeable future!