The short answer
Bird proofing means fitting a mesh guard, usually a strip of galvanised or coated wire held by clips, around the edge of the array so birds cannot get into the gap beneath the panels. It should be done after checking the roof and clearing any nesting material, and it should never damage the panel frames or the covering.
Why birds go under solar panels
Panels on a pitched roof stand a short distance above the tiles or slates. That gap is dry, sheltered from wind and warmed by the sun, which makes it attractive to pigeons, starlings and other birds looking for somewhere to nest or roost. Once a pair settles, they bring in twigs, straw and feathers, and the droppings follow.
The mess matters for a few reasons. Droppings are acidic enough to mark some surfaces, nesting material can build up against the edge of the covering, and debris can block the small channels where rainwater drains off the roof. Loose nest material can also be pushed into gutters at the eaves, where it blocks the flow and adds to the clearing needed later. None of it is quick to remove by hand because the gap is narrow and the roof slopes.
Birds also tend to return to a spot that worked for them, which is why proofing is better done early than left until the third season.
How a mesh guard works
The usual method is a roll of wire mesh cut to the height of the gap and fixed along the lower and side edges of the array. Clips grip the panel frame at intervals, so there is no drilling through the frame and no need to touch the roof covering. The mesh is typically coated or galvanised, so it will not rust and stain the tiles below it, and it comes in a dark colour that blends into the frame.
A proper fit follows the frame all the way round, closes the corners and finishes cleanly where the array meets the roof edge or a neighbouring slope. Gaps are what birds exploit, so a loose end or a missing clip is where they will get back in. The guard also needs to leave the drainage path open: if it holds back leaves and moss, it simply turns into a different problem.
It is a simple job in principle, but it is done at the roof edge, so it needs safe access.
Check and clear the roof first
Fitting mesh over an existing nest traps the problem, and a bird that cannot get out can cause far more damage than one that never got in. Any nesting material is removed first, along with droppings, and the roof beneath the array is looked at before the mesh goes on. Birds that are nesting are protected, so work in the middle of a season may have to wait. We do not try to remove an active nest.
This is also the best moment to look at the covering that the panels sit on. Slipped tiles, cracked slates, perished pointing at the verge and blocked gutters are far easier to put right before the guard goes on. Our answer on moss blocking gutters explains what builds up at the eaves, and our page on cleaning slate roofs covers the gentler methods that suit the covering around the panels.
Cleaning, moss and the roof around the panels
Panels do not stop moss growing on the roof, and the edges of an array are where moss and lichen tend to gather. Wet debris against the bottom of the frame can hold moisture against the tiles. Moss lifting tiles at the edge of the array can also let birds pull at the mesh, and loose growth can slide into the gutter.
Cleaning the roof is best planned together with the bird proofing, so the covering is dealt with once and the guard fitted over a clean surface. Take care with method: panels and their cabling need to be treated gently, and strong sprays aimed at the frames can loosen seals. Ask the roofer to say how they will protect the array, and whether the system should be switched off. Check with your installer or the panel maker about anything affecting the equipment warranty, as the guidance differs by product. If you want the roof coated or treated afterwards, our guide to roof coatings on houses explains the risks.
Insurance, warranties and who should do it
Because panels are electrical equipment fixed to your roof, it is sensible to check before anyone touches them. The installer or manufacturer can tell you whether mesh clipped to the frame is acceptable and whether a particular clip type is approved. We have seen guards that were screwed through frames, and those are the ones to avoid.
It is also worth asking whether your home insurer wants to be told about the work. Our page on whether moss damage is covered by insurance explains how gradual damage and wear are usually treated, which is useful background if birds have already caused damage. We do not handle claims, so speak to your insurer directly.
Whatever we fit is covered by a 10-year workmanship guarantee in writing, and tidying up is part of the job.
What to expect from the visit and the quote
We start with the roof, not the mesh. Photographs taken at the survey show the covering around the array, the edge detail and any nesting already under way. A written quote follows, describing what the guard is made of and how it will be fixed.
Access is the main cost driver, together with the length of the array edge and the amount of clearing needed. A bungalow roof within easy reach of a ladder is a very different job from an array high on a tall house. If gutters need clearing or tiles need refixing, that is flagged during the survey and covered by the same visit, so you are not paying for access twice. For the wider range of work, see our roof cleaning and moss removal page. To arrange a look, ring 01793 626096 or write to us through the website.