About six months ago, we had a 6.75 kW photovoltaic (aka, solar panel) system installed on our roof. We leased the panels, which was a great option, because we put no money down and the monthly fee on our lease is what we were already paying for electricity. So rather than pay the energy company, we are paying a solar lease. As energy rates increase, our monthly fee stays the same–for the next 20 years. It’s been fabulous!
And our system has been generating more electricity than predicted. The projected power output in the picture below is in green. Our actual production is in orange. For every month, except May, we’ve produced more energy than expected. And May was probably under because it was cloudy and rainy. Not only are we overproducing, but we’re also underusing. Our energy use this year is lower than last–impressive as we have added a person, and his cloth diapers, to our family.
Unfortunately though, we aren’t the only ones who love our solar panels…. we have a flock of pigeons nesting under them on our roof. I did not realize that the panels would be installed with a 6″ gap between them and the roof, making the perfect, warm nesting spot for pigeons (see the attached photo of what they’ve left behind in our gutters). I hear squirrels like solar panels too, especially chewing on their wires. So if you’re looking to get a system installed, inquire about animals in your area and definitely look into getting a critter guard. It’s cheaper and easier to install when the panels go up.
See the waste and even an egg left in our gutter by pigeons nesting under our panels. Interestingly, you can see several pigeons hanging out on the roof of my neighbor’s house two doors down.
Posted by Angi Harp on July 12, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Great info! Are there any benefits to you as the homeowner to generating more power than what was projected?
Posted by Sophia on July 12, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Yes, the benefit is $$$! Xcel will cut us a check at the end of the year for all the extra electricity we produced but did not use.
Posted by John on August 13, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I had the exact same problem. If the solar co would have informed me about this when they installed the system, I would of had the critter guard installed then. The solar co had to come back and install it a year later, due to the pigeon problem.
Posted by Thom Westergren, Founder on October 2, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Squirrels and pigeons are a relatively new problem. Increased numbers of solar installations has probably led to the increase. Long time industry members, and those in regions where it hasn’t happened, have a hard time believing. It can be a significant problem, but seems to be spotty. Many installers have begun to offer screening as a standard inclusion. I have just launched a product to address the problem.The biggest challenge is attaching screen without drilling into the panels as this voids the warranty, which is commonly 20 years or more. Please spread the word to your local installers and friends with solar (the product is only available wholesale). Please visit spiffysolar.com
Posted by john on October 3, 2012 at 10:26 am
The solar installer had to return to my home and install a product called critter guard.
The critter guard put an end to the problem of having pigeons nesting under the panels.
Posted by Thom Westergren, Founder on October 4, 2012 at 5:52 pm
“Critter guard” is a generic term, not a product name. There are any number of ways to do it.
I’m glad to hear that it worked for you.
Posted by John on October 4, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Hi Thom,
Critter Guard is a wire mess screening that is attached to the solar panels, and prevents any nesting under the panels. It is basically the same as the product you are promoting. What ever the name is doesn’t matter, as long as the problem is solved.
Solar installation Companies need to inform their customers of the need for this, so there are no critter problems later on after the system has been installed.
Posted by Thom Westergren, Founder on October 4, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Sure, they need to inform their customers. But the point of my original post was that it is a relatively new and unpredictable problem. They can’t inform customers of a problem before they know it exists. When they do find an area with the problem, I intend to help them solve it. If you talk with any installers, please just let them know. Thanks. Again, I’m glad you got your problem solved.
Posted by Dan on March 7, 2013 at 6:05 pm
In your case did the solar installer come back at no charge or was there a cost involved? I just got panels 3 months ago and started having this problem now.
Posted by john on March 7, 2013 at 7:37 pm
We had to pay $1440.00 to have the critter guard installed for a 13 panel system!
Posted by Sophia on March 7, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Dan, the company that installed our panels came back to install the critter/pigeon guard. It was about 1k for a 6.75 kW system. But our leasing company (SunRun) actually picked up the tab for that. Good luck!
Posted by Barbara on March 20, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Hi, where did you purchase your critter guard and how much. Did it work ? I have squirrels downing my system. thanks.
Posted by Sophia on March 20, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Barbara, we called the company that installed our panels and had them put up the critter guard for about 1k. It did work!
Posted by Thom Westergren on March 20, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Barbara, if your installer doesn’t have the experience or know where to purchase the material, please refer them to my website: http://www.spiffysolar.com.
Additionally, if your installer is less than helpful, there is a national franchise pest company called Critter Control. They have been installing the systems all over Colorado and New Jersey so I know that they have the supplies and know-how available to them within their organization (if they have an office in your area). What they use is not as aesthetically pleasing or as durable as my product—they use regular galvanized screen and mine is coated with black PVC—but at least the know-how is there.
Lastly, I like to keep tabs on where the outbreaks are occurring, could you give me your Zip Code to ad to my database? I’d appreciate it.
Posted by barbara on March 20, 2013 at 4:57 pm
hi Thom, im already talking to your sales guy about shipping to canada.
Posted by Daniel on March 22, 2013 at 6:19 am
Hi Sophia
We are having the same problems with Pigeons in the UK; here is a link to my latest Blog all about Pigeons and Solar Panels. http://apcukservices.co.uk/blog/march/
Posted by Thom Westergren on March 22, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Daniel, thanks for the post. Our company has had several inquiries lately from the UK, but shipping costs prohibit us from selling there. It is interesting to see how wide spread the problem is. And to watch it become more so as the industry grows.
Good job on the project shown. I do have one word of warning to those attempting to do the same.
First, bird spikes are a very costly option, which will be discovered quickly by anyone who shops for them.
Second, spikes have very specific uses and, if used improperly will do nothing to keep vermin out. Spikes are intended to prevent landing and generally will not prevent entry. I’m not familiar with the non re-entry spikes you use and they may work to keep the birds out (except that they appear to have ample space for entry). What I have seen attempted here is conventional spikes mounted to the roof surface. This does no good as pests just wriggle their way in between the spikes.
Thirdly, spikes installed on or at the base of a slope will be ripped down in short order by sliding snow and ice. Particularly if installed just below the solar modules themselves, as in the UK install shown. Here, snow and ice slides down in large chunks. Readers, of course, know if this needs to be considered in their own area, but I’d guess that it includes more than half of the continental US.
Proper use of the equipment and techniques of installation is key to solving this problem.
Posted by John on March 23, 2013 at 6:54 pm
The problem of pigeons nesting under my solar panels ended after the gap was closed,
With a wire mess system. Go to http://www.aeesolar.com to find the product called critter guard, to keep out unwanted pests under your solar panels.
You can contact me at 107teamster.com for any further information or help.
Posted by Dave on May 5, 2013 at 8:14 pm
Cheaper than that, ” 4 or 6″. roofers mesh screen from Home Depot and self-taping screws $30 plus time.
Posted by Thom on May 5, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Dave, drilling into the panels will void their warranty. Typically, that’s 20 to 25 years and worth keeping intact. That’s why there was a need for the specialty product offered at http://www.spiffysolar.com
Additionally, if you are “leasing” the system, as are 70% of residential installations right now, then you do not own the equipment. You should contact the installer or third-party owner. They should be willing and able to help out anyone with this problem as they have a vested interest in keeping the system running (not to mention keeping the customer happy).
Posted by John on May 6, 2013 at 10:25 am
You are right Thom about having the solar company install the product. The big question here is why the solar installer’s fail to inform customers of this issue, and why they don’t offer the installation of the wire mesh as a standard part of the panels.
I think they fail to inform customers of the issue, as to make another sale and have the customer pay for additional labor and materials. I went through this and had to pay REC solar $1440.00 to come back and install the wire mesh on my system. The sales rep never mentioned that I could have a problem with birds or animals nesting under the solar panels. This is a good question for consumers to ask when looking into a solar system.