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“Didn’t think much of it, til I realized how warm it is behind a solar panel, great nesting spot.”
Photo Credit: iStock
While rooftop solar can lower electricity bills, people new to solar often don’t know what to watch out for.
After one solar newbie took to Reddit’s r/SolarUK forum to ask which things to watch out for, longtime owners pointed to one easily overlooked installation detail, keeping pigeons from making a home beneath the panels.
In the Reddit thread, the buyer explained that they were “looking to get a system installed and have taken a few quotes. I was keen to know if there are any learnings/feedback from those that had a system for a long time.”
The original poster specifically asked for the opinions of homeowners with 7-10 years of having solar panels.
Perhaps surprisingly, one of the top comments read, “Pigeons. Get it bird proofed.” Another user responded to this, adding, “Make sure you get the bird proofing stuff on them. It’s def worth it. Unless you want the look of the solid edges, I would recommend the mesh/net type edges.”
A third commenter wrote, “I never thought of pigeons til I started playing with plug-in, had a retired spark come over just to check my shed wiring was up to the job, but he said loads of people struggle with pigeons. … Didn’t think much of it, til I realized how warm it is behind a solar panel, great nesting spot.”
Another commenter added, “Make sure you have bird proofing around the panels [and] do this at installation, so you don’t need to have scaffolding again to fit it later.”
Several others noted that preventing pigeons from nesting is a financially smart investment. One wrote, “Pigeon proofing doesn’t add much if done at the time of install, but can be so expensive (and gross) if done afterwards.” One solar homeowner seconded this notion, writing that getting pigeon guards fitted retroactively “was a pain.”
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
Even with pigeon-related headaches, residential solar can lower electricity bills, and some $0-upfront solar leases may deliver savings of hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the household and terms. EasyHome offers a free explorer tool to estimate possible savings and find vetted local installers.
Beyond rooftop protection, EasyHome also lets homeowners explore battery-storage options as part of planning a solar setup. Pairing solar with suitable battery storage can help households manage electricity costs and provide backup power during outages, depending on the equipment and configuration.
Other UK-based solar buyers have raised questions about bird-proofing and what to expect over years of ownership. 
• Another UK solar buyer received a £400 bird-protection quote after raising the issue.
• In Scotland, a homeowner heard delaying bird mesh could mean a £1,200 bill.
• One UK solar owner said drilled-in bird mesh left their panel warranty invalid.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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