If you've noticed birds gathering on or around your solar panels, or heard scratching and cooing from under the array, you may already have a problem. Pigeons and other birds love the sheltered gap between solar panels and the roof — and once they nest there, they're difficult to shift and the damage they cause is costly to repair.
Why Birds Nest Under Solar Panels
Solar panels create an ideal nesting environment: warm, sheltered from rain, and elevated enough to feel secure from ground-level predators. Pigeons, starlings, and sparrows are the most common culprits in East Sussex. A colony can establish itself quickly — often within a few weeks of a new installation if no proofing is in place.
The gap between the panel and the roof is typically 8–12 cm — just enough for pigeons to squeeze in and build substantial nests.
What Damage Do Birds Cause Under Solar Panels?
Birds nesting under solar panels cause several types of damage:
- Wire chewing: Birds (especially squirrels, but also pigeons with nesting material) can chew or dislodge the DC cabling underneath panels, causing faults and creating fire hazards. This is the most serious risk and the most expensive to repair.
- Guano accumulation: Bird droppings build up on panels, shading cells and reducing output — sometimes by 10–20% in heavy infestations. Droppings are also highly acidic and can damage panel frames and roof tiles over time.
- Nesting debris blocking airflow: Panels are designed to self-cool via airflow underneath. Nesting material blocks this airflow, causing panels to run hotter and reducing both efficiency and lifespan.
- Roof tile damage: Bird activity dislodges tiles and loosens flashings, particularly around the panel mounting brackets.
- Warranty issues: Most panel and inverter manufacturers state that damage caused by vermin or birds is excluded from warranty. An unproofed system that develops a bird-related fault may not be covered.
Signs You Have a Bird Problem
- Visible guano on or below the panels
- Nesting material (twigs, leaves, feathers) visible at the panel edges
- Noise from underneath the array — scratching, cooing, or rustling
- Unexpected drop in system output on your monitoring app
- Birds regularly perching on the panel frames
How Pigeon-Proofing Works: The Mesh Skirting Method
The most effective and widely used solution is wire mesh skirting — a galvanised steel mesh fitted around the perimeter of the panel array, secured to the panel frames and roof structure with specialist clips. The mesh prevents birds from accessing the gap underneath without damaging the panels or the roof.
A quality installation uses:
- PVC-coated galvanised steel mesh — rust-resistant and UV-stable. Avoid cheap plastic mesh that degrades within a year or two.
- Stainless steel clips that attach to the panel frame without drilling or adhesive (which would void the panel warranty).
- A foam filler strip where the mesh meets the roof tile, closing any remaining gaps while allowing airflow.
The finished result is discreet — the black mesh blends with the panel frames and is barely visible from the ground.
Other Bird Deterrent Methods
Mesh skirting is the only permanent solution, but other deterrents are sometimes used:
| Method | Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh skirting | Excellent — permanent | Best practice; recommended by MCS installers |
| Spikes on panel frames | Good for perching, not nesting | Doesn't close the underneath gap |
| Bird wire (tensioned) | Moderate | Deters landing; birds still access underneath |
| Plastic owl / hawk decoys | Short-term only | Birds habituate within weeks; not recommended |
| Ultrasonic deterrents | Limited evidence | May not affect pigeons; no published trial data |
How Much Does Pigeon-Proofing Solar Panels Cost?
Costs vary with system size and access requirements. For a typical domestic installation in East Sussex:
| System Size | Pigeon-Proofing Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 panels | £200–£280 | Mesh, clips, foam strip, labour |
| 10–16 panels | £280–£380 | As above |
| 16–24 panels | £380–£500 | As above; scaffolding may be required |
| Active infestation clearance + proofing | £350–£650 | Nest removal, clean-down, proofing, disposal |
Prices inc. scaffolding where needed. Active infestations require nest and guano removal before mesh can be fitted.
Can I DIY Pigeon-Proofing?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended for three reasons:
- Safety: Working at height on a roof requires appropriate equipment and training. Falls from roofs are among the most common causes of serious DIY injury.
- Warranty risk: Incorrectly fitted clips or fixings that penetrate the panel frame or use incompatible materials can void the manufacturer warranty on your panels.
- Quality: Cheap mesh and poor fitting leaves gaps that birds will find. A botched DIY job often costs more to undo and redo than a professional installation in the first place.
If you have an existing infestation, nests must be cleared before meshing — live or recent nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, meaning active nesting birds must not be disturbed. A professional will know how to manage this legally.
Should You Get Pigeon-Proofing with a New Installation?
Yes — it's significantly cheaper to fit mesh at the time of installation than to return later. When the scaffolding is already up and the installers are on site, adding proofing typically costs £80–£150 as an add-on. Once the scaffold comes down, the cost of returning rises substantially.
We offer proofing as a standard add-on with all new installations and retrofit proofing for existing systems. If you're unsure whether your current system is at risk, we're happy to take a look during an annual service visit.
Have birds already moved in? Contact us to book a survey — we'll assess the damage, clear the infestation, and fit a permanent mesh solution while we're on the roof.
Eastbourne Energy
Solar Energy Specialist at Eastbourne Energy