Guide to bird proofing solar panels

Fact Checked

In this guide, Canstar Blue discusses why it’s important to bird-proof your solar panels and the best ways to do so.

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Why do you need to bird-proof your solar panels?

Birds nesting around solar panels – and even under them – usually lead to:

• Bird-dropping buildup, which is corrosive, can potentially discolor and corrode your solar panels and lower their overall energy-generating efficiency.
• Birds can carry avian pathogens such as E.Coli, which can be transmitted to humans through exposure to their feathers, bird lice and droppings — this is especially dangerous if you live with the elderly or children.
• Bird nests can attract other unhygienic wildlife such as cockroaches and mice that could chew on panel wiring.
• Bird nesting materials could pose a fire hazard if your solar system malfunctions.

If left unchecked, nesting birds can drastically impact how much you’re saving on your energy bills, increasing your chances of being caught off guard by bill shock.

Worse still, the damage done can significantly lower the lifespan of your solar panels. Replacing damaged solar panels outright far surpasses the cost of birdproofing your panels for the long haul.

Frequent solar panel maintenance or cleaning can help mitigate the damage or deterioration to your solar system, but this would be more expensive in the long run. And it doesn’t eliminate the primary cause of your woes —  the birds!

Therefore, you need to come up with ways to safeguard your solar investment from birds – while not harming the birds in the process.

Can you birdproof solar panels?

Bird-proofing solar panels in Australia is possible and there are several popular ways to do it.

Common, low-cost solutions include:

• Bird spikes can be attached to the panels, preventing birds from nesting on the panels and causing damage.
• Sonic devices emit sounds that are unpleasant to birds and can prevent them from landing on the panels.
• Solar skirts or bird mesh protect the underside of your panels from birds and rodents.
• If your solar panels are installed on a flat roof, angling your solar panels more than 10 degrees using a tilt rack can help your panels self-clean bird-dropping build-up when exposed to rain.

But some birds such as pigeons can be seemingly immune to these simple fixes. In that case, it may be necessary to cover your panels with nets or mesh, either fitted by you or by a licensed professional.

What to know about pigeon-proofing solar panels

Pigeons are known to be highly reluctant to abandon a nesting spot once they’ve made themselves at home. For those reasons, pigeons tend to be in a class of their own when it comes to solar panel problems.

Not only are guano-coated solar panels an unsightly addition to your home, pigeons also:

• Carry transmittable diseases such as the West Nile virus that can severely impact your lung health.
• Other critters such as rats and possums also pose threats to solar panels.

These persistent birds usually require:

• Bird mesh to keep them from nesting on top of or underneath your solar panels.
• A ‘solar skirt’ to ensure the underside of your panels isn’t accessible by birds.
• Installing mesh screens that prevent these animals from accessing the panels.

How much does bird-proofing solar panels cost?

As a rough estimate, expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $2,500 to bird-proof your solar panels, depending on what kind of bird-proofing solution you choose, how many panels you have to protect and the size of your solar system.

There are plenty of options out there that can suit any budget, whether you’re looking for a DIY solution or a professional installation. Popular websites and distributors include:

• Easy Pest Supplies
• Aussie DIY Solutions
• Bird Control Australia
• Pestrol Australia
• Solar Pigeon Proofing

While the initial investment may seem daunting, keep in mind that bird damage to your solar panels can end up costing you even more in the long run.

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Things to consider before bird-proofing your solar panels

As explained earlier, spikes and deterrents are the simplest bird-proofing options but may not be effective for all birds.

Mesh or netting is likely to be a more expensive but more comprehensive solution.

There are some issues to consider, however, before bird-proofing your solar panels, which include:

• Removing existing birds. Birds that have made cosy homes on and under your panels may not be easy to move before installing bird-proofing, particularly if you’re not an expert bird handler. It’s also important to note that removing nests that native birds are actively using is illegal, as is causing harm to any bird, so it’s advisable to consult a bird-removal specialist or pest-control company with knowledge of bird removal rather than attempting a DIY job.
• Avoiding damage to your health. Bird poop can transmit fungal spores that you risk inhaling if you come in contact with it, causing serious lung and other conditions that can have long-term health impacts. As above, if you suspect bird-proofing your solar panels will involve removing large amounts of guano, ensure you’re well informed about the protective measures you must take or call in an expert.
• Cleaning with great care. Turning your Gerni on and blasting your solar panels with high-pressure water to remove a layer of bird poo before bird-proofing risks damaging your panels as much or more than the poop itself. It’s important to ensure that water and cleaning fluids don’t enter the panels or harm their wiring so keep cleaning gentle at all times.

You can ask your solar installer about bird-proofing your solar panels before installation. That will allow the installer to suggest ways of positioning the panels to minimise the risk of infestation or recommend bird-proofing products that can be installed from the get-go.

Is bird-proofing solar panels really necessary?

Bird-proofing your solar panels can give you peace of mind and, depending on whether you’ve already got a bird infestation issue or are taking preventative action, may not be hugely expensive.

Brd-removal experts note that if you don’t have existing flocks of birds homing in on your roof, your solar panels may never be troubled by birds.

If birds are a threat you’re concerned about, taking preventative measures during installation is likely best so your panels are protected for their full lifespan.

If you’re unsure of the risk, however, you may want to do six-monthly inspections of your panels – which is good for maintenance in any case – to check that they’re not turning into Pigeon Palace, and taking action depending on what you find.

Original reporting by Jared Mullane