New solar panels on your roof? Great…but there could be a nasty surprise!
Believe it or not, the United Kingdom sits third in the list of countries in the EU for solar panel usage, with the governments 1 million solar homes goal already reached meaning many homes in the UK already have solar panels installed on their roof. Even with the seemingly constant rain and gloomy weather the UK sees for much of the year, the United Kingdom is installing new solar panels on homes quicker than any other country in the EU. People in the UK understand the benefits of solar panel technology for their homes and the environment and the number of solar panel installations continues to rise year on year.
The rise in solar panel installations is no surprise when the money saving benefits are taken into account. Solar panels have a large upfront cost, however once the initial cost is paid, the solar panels continue to generate free energy for the home for the rest of their lifetime, and with a solar panel array on the roof lasting many many years, this benefit is driving the installation of new panels all across the country.
Whilst this is fantastic news for the environment, did you know it’s also brilliant news for pigeons? No, we bet you never even considered that your new solar panel investment would be the perfect environment for pigeons to start living under your solar panels.
Why do solar panels attract pigeons?
Pigeons under solar panels is like peas in pods, the two go together very well, and more likely than not, the company who sold you the solar panels won’t have told you this. Why? Because the solar panel sales companies are not equipped or prepared to tackle the issue of pigeons under solar panels.
Solar panels provide a safe shelter for pigeons to nest, as they offer great protection from the elements. Pigeons need good shelter to make their nests and your new solar panels easily protect the birds and their young from the wind, rain and other predators, allowing the pigeons to breed easily and safely all from the comfort of their expensive new solar panel homes!
Pigeons breed in monogamous pairs and will lay 6 broods of 2 eggs per year, meaning one pair of pigeons will make 12 new pigeons each year, and in only 6 months, these new pigeons can begin breeding too hence why the numbers can quickly escalate into a large problem.
But what’s the issue with pigeons under solar panels anyway?
Pigeons under solar panels can cause many issues, and you certainly want to avoid them getting under their in the first place. Luckily, there are ways to stop your solar panels becoming the next pigeon home.
Pigeons under solar panels can quickly make your roof and property look a mess, and you’ll quickly start seeing a build up of pigeon guano (poo) on your roof, in your gutters, on your driveway and all over your car. Pigeon nesting material can also quickly clog up your gutters and drains and then there is the issue of mites and disease that pigeons carry that can easily infiltrate your home and cause you and your family health problems.
Pigeons can also cause damage to your solar panels whilst nesting under there, causing problems with the wiring of the panels that can drastically reduce the lifespan of your new investment. As well as damage to the wiring, a build up of pigeon poo on top of the panels can massively reduce the panels ability to capture the sunlight, meaning a drop in efficiency which is not what you want.
How do you stop pigeons under solar panels?
Thankfully, stopping pigeons from nesting under your solar panels is relatively easy and cheap. Simple pigeon proofing guards and mesh is generally the easiest and most effective way to stop the issue.
A high quality solar panel pigeon proofing guard is enough to deter even the most pesky of pigeons, as the guard means the pigeon literally has no way of entering under your panels to make nest.
Solar Pigeon Proofing UK can help to install solar panel pigeon proofing guards on your roof, and we cover most of the UK – why not get in touch with us today, or fill in our get a quote form in less than 2 minutes and one of our friendly team will be in touch to give you a quote.
Solar Pigeon Proofing UK cover most of the UK and we’ve installed pigeon guards in many places including, Yorkshire, North East, North West, Midlands , London, Wales and beyond.
We offer a range of solar panel services including Solar Panel Pigeon Proofing, Solar Panel Cleaning and Maintenance, Pigeon and Pest removal, and under-panel roof repairs and maintenance.
Follow us today on Facebook, call us on 0800 193 3858, email us at info@solarpigeonproofing.co.uk, or get a free no obligation quote here.