Pigeons are not only annoying, but they also pose a threat to the property. They can cause damage to solar panels by eating the wires and causing fires. If you have pigeons under your solar panels, here is an ultimate guide on how you can get rid of pigeons under solar panels.
How Pigeons Can Damage The Solar Panel Systems?
Pigeons always look for a shady area for their nests. And solar panels on the roof are ideal places for them to create nests. They create their nests under the solar plates that damages the solar system:
- Wiring
- Acidic droppings
- Nests and eggs
- Scratching of solar panels
Wiring
The pigeons peck the wiring that damages it and exposes the conductive wiring. As they peck the insulation of the wiring, the exposed conductive layer shorts with the 2nd wire that damages the solar system, inverter and plates.
Acidic Droppings
Pigeon droppings contain high levels of acidic levels that can damage the solar panels, their wiring and stands. These acidic droppings when react with the PV cells or with metallic parts, they erode that shorten the lifetime of solar panels.
Therefore, it’s essential to protect your solar panel system with pigeons and their droppings.
The droppings on the solar panels might not give a permanent damage, but it does look nasty on the solar panels and reduces the efficiency of panels. We’re sure no investor wants to make their thousands of $ solar investment to look like a dropping shelter for pigeons.
Nests and Eggs
If your solar panels are placed over the roof, then they are the great place for pigeons to make their nests. They always look for an open shady area, and the bottom of the solar panels is a great place for it.
The pigeons will create a nest and lay their eggs under your solar panels. No owner wants their thousand $ investment to work as a pigeon nest.
The nests of pigeons might not affect the wiring, but it does give a nasty look to your solar panels. On top of that, cleaning under the solar panels is difficult as well.
The droppings, eggs shell, rotted eggs and nest leaves are a mess and release a bad smell. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to install a pigeon protection on your solar panels.
Scratching of Solar Panels
Pigeons scratch the solar panels. They peck at the solar panels that damage the protection film on the panels. If the protection film is damaged, it’ll damage the PV cell on the solar plate. In the long term, it reduces the efficiency of your solar panels and reduce the power generation of plates due to damaged PV cells. These PV cells are responsible for converting sunlight into electricity.
How To Get Rid Of Pigeons Under Solar Panels?
Getting rid of pigeons under solar panels can be challenging. It’s crucial to prevent them from nesting by installing deterrents like mesh or spikes. Here are some of the best ways to get rid of pigeons under solar panels. Here’s a short table on it:
| Method | Cost Range |
| Barriers (Mesh) | $100 – $500 |
| Deterrents (Spikes, Ultrasonic devices) | $20 – $200 |
| Chemical Repellents | $10 – $50 |
| Manual Prevention (Removing nests, blocking entry points) | $0 – $100 (DIY) or $100 – $300 (Professional) |
Barriers or Wiring
Barriers are the most effective way to prevent pigeons nesting under or over your solar panels. There are different agencies that offer solar protection services like Solar Master Pro . These agencies offer barrier protection of solar panels from the pigeons.
The process involves placing the barriers under the solar systems. This blocks out the shady area for pigeons to make their nests. Moreover, if needed, the agency might place barriers above the solar panels to prevent pigeons pecking the solar plates.
However, it blocks out small % of sunlight, but that depends on the owner.
Deterrents to prevent pigeons on solar panels
Another effective way is to use a deterrent on the solar panels. It involves using a device that emits ultrasonic sound. That sound is above the 20,000 Khz that is not audible for the humans, but audible for the pigeons.
This audio frequency irritates the pigeons and prevents them from nesting in your solar panels area. However, that strategy is fractionally more expensive than the meshing strategy, but will do the job without making any physical changes.
Chemical repellents
Chemical repellents are another great strategy to get rid of pigeons under solar panels. It consists of non-toxic and non-fatal chemicals that are applied all over the solar panel and the floor under the panels. When in contact with the pigeons, it irritates them and makes the pigeon leave the area. It’s a cheap method, but requires continuous coating after every 7-14 days.
Manual Prevention
If you can’t afford any of these strategies. Then, you can go with the manual workforce. It consists of cleaning and destroying the nests yourself. However, it requires regular cleaning and removal of nesting traits of the pigeons.
Clean the solar panels and the shady area under them regularly with water and broom. So, the pigeons cannot build their nest in your solar system area. However, for a permanent solution to get rid of pigeons under solar panels, contact a professional solar system maintenance agency like Solar Master Pro to build a permanent anti-pigeon system.
How Much Will It Cost To Make Your Solar System Pigeon Proof?
Well, that always depends on what kind of pigeon protection you choose. The cheapest option that you can for is the chemical based option. That would cost you nearly about 20$- $60. The process is easy, you can order the chemical online or from any hardware store and apply the chemical yourself.
The other option you can go with is the fencing option to get rid of pigeons under solar panels. That’s the most reliable, long lasting and expensive option you can choose. The most expensive component will be the metal fence that you’ll choose and the labour fee. The total invoice for this method can range between 180$-300$ depending on the package, state and type of metal you choose.
How do I get rid of pigeons around my solar panels?
You can install various barrier things like metal fences, chemicals or high frequency non-audible devices to get rid of pigeons under solar panels.
What is the best pigeon deterrent for solar panels?
Metal fencing is the best option to choose from. It’s reliable, long-lasting and a secure package.
Can pigeons destroy solar panels?
Not directly, but their droppings and pecking on the panels can damage the plates.
How much does it cost to make bird proof solar panels?
Depending on the package you choose, it’ll cost you around between 20$-300$.
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