Solar panel bird proofing means closing the gap between a rooftop solar array and the roof so birds cannot get underneath to roost or nest. In Launceston, the birds usually responsible are feral pigeons and common starlings. Both are introduced species, and both like the dry, sheltered pocket that a panel array creates above a warm roof. The standard fix is a mesh barrier fitted around the outer edge of the array, after any existing nests and droppings have been cleared out.
Launceston Bird Proofing is a referral service. We do not climb roofs, fit mesh or clean panels, and we do not hold any trade licence. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to one independent business in the Launceston area that does this work. That business inspects, quotes and contracts with you directly.
Why birds choose the space under solar panels
From a bird's point of view, the space under a panel array is close to ideal. It is shaded in summer, sheltered from rain and wind, warmed by the roof in winter, and hard for cats, ravens and other predators to reach. In a valley city like Launceston, where frosty winter mornings are common, that extra warmth matters to roosting birds.
Pigeons can walk under low arrays; starlings squeeze into narrower gaps near ridges and gutters. Once one pair nests successfully, others often follow.
Signs you have birds under your panels
- Cooing, scratching or fluttering above a bedroom or living area, often at first light.
- Birds landing on the roof and disappearing under the array.
- Twigs, grass or feathers sticking out from the edge of the panels or collecting in the gutter below.
- Droppings building up on the roof sheets or tiles beside the array, and streaking down into gutters.
- Gutters overflowing in rain because nesting material has washed into them.
What goes wrong if it is left
Competitor sites in every major Australian city describe the same chain of problems. Nesting material and droppings collect under the panels and in nearby gutters. Gutters then block and hold water against the roof edge. Droppings are acidic and can stain or degrade roofing and panel frames over time. Birds can also peck at or pull on exposed cabling. A build-up of dry nesting material close to electrical connections is a concern that solar businesses raise often, and it is worth having an electrician or solar technician look at the array if cables appear damaged.
Droppings on the glass can also reduce output. That is a cleaning job, often offered at the same visit but priced separately.
How solar panel bird proofing works
The sequence described by businesses in every major city is broadly the same:
- Inspection. The business checks the array, roof type, access height and how birds are getting in. Some use drones or photographs to quote.
- Check for nests and young. Pigeons and starlings are introduced species in Tasmania, but native birds can also nest near panels. Any active nest of a native species should be left until the young have fledged (see below).
- Clear out. Nests, droppings and debris are removed from under the panels and out of nearby gutters. Some businesses sanitise the area afterwards.
- Fit the mesh. A strip of mesh is cut to length and fitted around the full perimeter of the array, closing the gap to the roof. On most systems it is held to the panel frames with clips, so nothing is drilled into the panels or the roof.
- Close the corners and joins. Corners, rail ends and places where separate arrays meet are where poorly fitted mesh tends to fail, so they need extra attention.
- Final check. The installer should confirm no bird has been shut inside.
Mesh, clips and materials
Most businesses use welded wire mesh, either PVC-coated galvanised steel or stainless steel, held by non-penetrating clips that grip the panel frame. The openings must be small enough to stop starlings and sparrows, not only pigeons.
Mesh should not block airflow under the array, because panels need ventilation to run efficiently. A mesh skirt still lets air move freely. Ask the business to confirm in writing that its fixing method is compatible with your panel and inverter warranties. That is a question for your solar installer or panel manufacturer as much as the proofing business.
Why spikes, gel and loose netting are poor choices for panels
Spikes stop birds landing on a narrow surface, but they do not seal the gap under an array. Birds simply land on the roof beside the panels and walk underneath. Bird gel is designed for ledges, collects dirt and can mark roofing. Loose, flexible netting draped over panels can sag, degrade in sunlight and entangle birds. For birds getting under solar panels, a fixed mesh barrier is the method that most of the evidence supports. See bird spikes and bird netting for the jobs those products do suit.
Native birds and the law in Tasmania
In Tasmania, native birds are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 and its wildlife regulations. Taking or possessing protected wildlife, or a product of protected wildlife, requires a licence or permit. Feral pigeons, common starlings and house sparrows are introduced and do not appear on the protected-wildlife schedule. That means the common panel-nesting birds can usually be excluded straight away, but a native bird's active nest should be left until the young have gone. If you are unsure which species you have, or whether a permit is needed, contact NRE Tas Wildlife Services on 03 6165 4305 before anything is removed. More detail is on our Tasmanian bird laws page.
Animal welfare law applies to all birds, protected or not. Proofing that traps a bird inside is not acceptable, which is why the final check matters.
What it may cost
We cannot quote. Published benchmarks from mainland businesses give a rough sense of scale. A Brisbane installer advertises packages from $589 for up to 16 panels. Another Brisbane pest firm lists solar proofing from $420 for a standard residential array. A Melbourne firm lists solar proofing from $330 ex GST, and a Sydney business publishes about $17 to $23 per metre of perimeter. Launceston prices may differ. Roof height, pitch, the number of separate arrays and the amount of clean-up needed all affect the price. Ask for a written quote that separates clean-out, mesh supply and fitting, and panel cleaning.
Questions to ask a Launceston installer
- What mesh material and aperture will you use, and will it stop starlings as well as pigeons?
- How is the mesh fixed, and will it affect my panel or inverter warranty?
- Is nest removal and clean-up included, and are droppings disposed of off site?
- How do you check that no birds are trapped inside?
- Is any warranty in writing, and what does it cover?
Frequently asked questions
Will mesh under my solar panels affect my warranty or output?
A properly fitted mesh skirt clips to the panel frame and leaves airflow largely unchanged, so output should not suffer. Warranty terms vary by manufacturer, so ask both the proofing business and your solar installer to confirm the fixing method is acceptable.
Can I fit solar panel bird mesh myself?
DIY kits exist, but the work is at height on a roof, close to electrical equipment. Gaps at corners and joins are the common failure point. Many owners decide the safety risk and the need for a full clean-out make it a job for a professional.
Are pigeons under solar panels a fire risk?
Dry nesting material near electrical connections is a concern raised repeatedly by solar businesses. If you can see damaged cabling or heavy nesting around junctions, ask a qualified solar technician or electrician to inspect the system.
What if there are eggs or chicks under the panels?
If the birds are feral pigeons or starlings, an installer can generally proceed. If a native species is nesting there, wait until the young have fledged. Check with NRE Tas if you are unsure of the species.
How long does solar panel bird mesh last?
It depends on the material and how well it was fitted. Competitors commonly describe stainless or coated steel mesh lasting many years. Ask what the warranty covers and how often the installer recommends an inspection.
Next step
Tell us your suburb, roughly how many panels you have, whether the roof is tiled or metal, and what you have noticed. With your consent, we will pass the details to one independent Launceston-area business that does solar panel bird proofing. You can make an enquiry or read how the referral works.