Pigeons Nesting Under Panels: What Works

Why pigeons pick solar arrays

Pigeons nest on ledges and in sheltered gaps, and a rooftop array offers both: a roof under them, a panel over them and space between. Low racks on flat rowhouse roofs are especially inviting because they sit behind a parapet, out of the wind and out of sight.

Once one pair nests, others follow, and the colony grows every season.

Signs birds have moved in

• Cooing or scratching from the roof, especially at dawn.
• Twigs, feathers and debris sticking out from under the panels.
• Droppings on the panels, the roof or the sidewalk below.
• Birds landing on the array and disappearing underneath.
• A drop in production on panels near the nests.

What the damage looks like

Droppings on the glass shade individual cells and can create hot spots. Nesting material traps leaves and moisture against the roof, which on flat roofs can block drains. The most expensive damage is to wiring: birds and the squirrels that follow them chew insulation, which can cause ground faults and shut the system down.

Droppings are also a health nuisance on roof decks and around windows, which is often what prompts the call.

Squirrels and other visitors

Pigeons are the most common tenants, but squirrels cause more electrical damage. They chew wire insulation and connector housings, which can lead to ground faults that shut the system down. The same mesh guard that keeps pigeons out keeps squirrels out, provided it is fitted tightly at the corners and where conduit leaves the array.

If wiring has already been chewed, it has to be repaired before the guard goes on, or the guard simply locks the damage in.

What actually works

A mesh critter guard closes the gap between the panels and the roof around the whole array. The mesh clips to the panel frames rather than being drilled into them, so it does not affect the panel warranty, and it can be removed for service.

Typical cost is $500 to $1,500 installed on an existing array, or $300 to $800 when fitted during a new install. On a rowhouse roof it is one of the best value add-ons there is.

What does not work for long

Plastic owls, reflective tape and similar deterrents tend to work for a short time before birds get used to them. Spikes do not suit the edge of a glass panel, and foam or loose fillers degrade in the sun and can trap water. Closing the gap is the approach that holds.

Clearing a nest the right way

1. Shut the system down before anyone works under the panels.
2. Remove nests, debris and droppings, bagging the material.
3. Clean and sanitize the roof surface and the panel undersides where reachable.
4. Inspect wiring and connectors for chewing and repair any damage.
5. Fit the guard around the full perimeter so the gap stays closed.

If the birds turn out to be a protected species rather than pigeons, different rules apply to active nests, so check what is nesting before removing anything.

When to deal with it

Feral pigeons breed through much of the year, so there is rarely a season when the problem solves itself. The best time to act is as soon as you notice birds going under the panels, before a colony builds up. On a new install, fitting the guard at the start avoids the problem entirely.

Keeping low racks clean

Low-tilt panels on flat roofs shed dirt and droppings more slowly than steep ones. After clearing a colony, a cleaning with soft brushes and pure water restores the glass, and a quick look each spring catches new attempts before they become nests.

Sources

1. NuWatt Energy: Solar critter guard
2. City Renewables: Solar panels on DC row houses

Figures are as published by the sources above in 2026 and can change. Call (202) 978-0232 to check how they apply to your address.