- Problem
- Nesting in the gap under panels
- Damage
- Cables, roof and panel output
- Usual fix
- Mesh around the panel edges
- Who
- A professional working at height
The problem isn't just noise. Nesting material, feathers and droppings build up under the panels, can damage cabling and the roof, and droppings on the panels themselves cut how much electricity they generate.
Signs of pigeons under solar panels
- Cooing, scratching and flapping on the roof, especially early in the morning
- Pigeons flying in and out from under the edges of the panels
- Twigs, feathers and nesting material in gutters or falling onto paths
- Droppings on the panels, roof tiles, windows or patio below
- A drop in the output shown on your inverter or monitoring app
How to be sure
Feral pigeons are grey with iridescent green and purple neck feathers and usually live in groups. Wood pigeons are larger, with white neck patches, and rarely nest under panels. Gulls, starlings and sparrows can also use the gap, and their active nests are protected in the same way.
What you can do yourself
- Don't go up on the roof yourself. Working at height on panels is dangerous and can damage the panels or your warranty.
- Check your inverter or app for a drop in output and note when the birds are most active.
- Stop feeding birds in the garden, which draws pigeons to the house.
- Before booking proofing, check your solar installer's warranty terms. Some prefer you use their approved method or contractor.
- Ask whether any nests are active before work is booked.
Call a professional if
- You can see or hear pigeons using the space under the panels
- There's a build-up of nesting material or droppings
- You've noticed damaged cables or a drop in output
- A good firm will survey first, clear nests and droppings, clean if needed, then fit mesh around the panel edges using clips that don't drill into the panels
The law: Wild birds' nests are protected while they're being built or used, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and equivalent laws in Northern Ireland. Feral pigeons can only be controlled under general licences with specific conditions, which differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Because pigeons can breed at any time of year, a professional should check for active nests before proofing. Blocking access to an empty space doesn't harm birds.
Safety: Pigeon droppings can carry bacteria and fungal spores. Don't clear them without gloves and a mask, and don't dry-brush or pressure-wash them near open windows.
Keeping them out
- Have mesh fitted soon after the panels go in, before birds settle
- Don't feed birds near the house
- Ask installers about bird proofing when getting a solar quote
Kit that helps
- Solar panel bird mesh (professionally fitted)
- Inverter or monitoring app
- Bird feeder you can bring indoors
Product types only. We'll only ever point you to things we'd use ourselves.
Questions people ask
Do pigeons really damage solar panels?
They can damage cabling and roof coverings, block gutters with nesting material, and their droppings foul the panels, which reduces output. The longer they stay, the bigger the build-up.
Will mesh affect my solar panel warranty?
It depends on your installer and the fixing method. Most proofing uses clips that don't drill into the panels, but check your warranty terms first.
Can I fit solar panel mesh myself?
DIY kits exist, but fitting them means working on a roof, which is dangerous and can damage panels. For most homes it's a job for a professional with the right access equipment.
When is the best time to proof?
As soon as possible, after checking there are no active nests. Pigeons can nest in any month, so the right time is whenever the space is clear.
Will spikes work instead?
Spikes don't stop birds getting under the panels. Mesh around the edges is the standard fix.