Hassle-free Pigeon & Squirrel Guard Installation For Solar Panels

Protect Your Solar Investment & Energy with Critter Guards

Protecting Your Property from Pigeon Infestations: Critter Guards and Pigeon Guard For Solar Panels

Contrary to what many believe, pigeons are actually smart birds. They thrive in urban settings. They are not scared of people. They are scared of predators such as hawks, owls, falcons and eagles. They have great eyesight and a great sense of smell and can tell the difference between a fake owl and a real one. So save yourself the money of buying the fake owl because within a week, the pigeons will be landing on the fake owl because they see it doesn’t move and doesn’t emit a smell.

The only way to truly protect yourself from a pigeon infestation is to install a barrier around the exterior of your solar panels.  Buyer beware…not all bird and critter guard material and installations are the same. Close to 20% of the jobs we do today are replacing bird spikes, bird netting or DIY installed bird mesh. Many people see our professional bird mesh and pigeon guard material and think it’s the same thing you can buy at Amazon or Home Depot, but it’s not.  Our critter guard and bird barrier material is a thicker gauged, squirrel-rated material that is specially made for larger pests like squirrels and pigeons. Many times thinner bird netting material is not strong enough to stay attached when critters and pigeons are pulling at them or snow is pushing down on it.

Critter Guard

Keep the Pigeons OUT!

Protect Your Solar Panels with Wash Me Solar's Critter Guard & Pigeon Guard Installation

Pigeon Barriers for solar panels, Pigeon Exclusions for solar panels, Squirrel barriers for solar panels, pest exclusion for solar panels

Safeguard your solar panels from pigeon infestations with Wash Me Solar’s industry-leading pigeon guard installation. Our services also include pigeon guard for solar panels, ensuring comprehensive protection for your solar system. This helps prevent any potential damage to your home and solar investment from pigeons, squirrels, and other critters that nest under solar panels in Utah’s changing climate.

Our bird barriers and critter guards are designed to blend seamlessly with your solar array. Protecting panels from birds and squirrels has never been easier, thanks to our durable, high-quality solar pigeon guard solutions. Our critter guards for solar panels are all black, low-profile, PVC-dipped grid wire mesh that is designed to preserve the visual appeal of your property while effectively safeguarding your investment from those pesky squirrels and pigeons under solar panels.

Our pigeon guards are installed by licensed and insured experts who are able to tackle the hardest, most challenging roofs and solar installations. With our critter and squirrel guard installation, you can ensure long-term protection for your solar panels, maintaining their efficiency and longevity.

Ensuring the Integrity of Your Solar Panels: Our Installation Process

During our critter guard and bird barrier install we do not screw anything directly into your solar panels unless that is our only option and you approve ahead of time, this is to ensure your solar panel warranty remains in tact. We custom fit our guard material to the outside of your solar panels, ensuring the entire perimeter of your panels are securely covered. Our solar friendly “J Hooks” are pushed through the material and attached to the lip of the underbelly of the solar panel and held in place with a washer. The J Hook is then bent to keep the washer in place so it doesn’t come loose. There are times where large amounts of snow and ice falling down your panels and roof will put enough pressure on the guard that the clips can break and the guard can become loose. In those cases, birds could then get back underneath your panels again.  Our standard J Hook is made of silver aluminum.  Ask our team about upgrading to one of our “Blacked Out” packages where all of the J Hooks and Washers are made of black, powder coated aluminum. 

Upgrade to our Blacked Out Package

Ask our team about upgrading to one of our “Blacked Out” packages where all of the J Hooks and Washers  for our solar panel critter guard and bird barriers are made of black, powder coated aluminum.

Pigeon Barriers for solar panels, Pigeon Exclusions for solar panels, Squirrel barriers for solar panels, pest exclusion for solar panels

Windguard around your Solar Panels is NOT a Bird Deterrent!

Some solar installers install windguard material that attaches to the front and sides of the panels to give it a sleeker look.  Oftentimes they sell this to the homeowner as a protection that replaces the need for a pigeon guard barrier, but they do not work as a bird deterrent.  If critters, squirrels or pigeons have at least a 2 inch gap, they can get under the windguard and have access to your panels.  In those situations, we screw the guard material into the windguard pieces to ensure no gaps are below the panels large enough for birds to get underneath. Contact our team today for a no cost quote and evaluation on your solar panels and keep your energy and investment protected.

Pigeon Barriers for solar panels, Pigeon Exclusions for solar panels, Squirrel barriers for solar panels, pest exclusion for solar panels

The Importance of Pest Exclusion for Bird Control

When a pest exclusion is installed, the birds are no longer able to get underneath the panels, so they will be forced to look for a new home to nest and find shelter and warmth. We always recommend getting a pest exclusion installed prior to winter snowfall so the birds will be retrained to find a new home in the winter time. It speeds up their need to find a new place, as the cold weather and inability to nest and give birth to hatchlings will force them to go elsewhere. Also, the pigeons will most likely move on to a new home quickly because they’ll stick out like a sore thumb on a white snow filled roof that they cannot get underneath for protection from bigger birds of prey.

Warranty Information

Our Pest Exclusion installation comes with a Lifetime Warranty on the material and installation. In the event that the guard ever becomes defective or detached, give us a call and we’ll come out and replace or reattach it for free. Sometimes the guard will become detached by either birds or squirrels pulling the guard away from the panels, but in most instances, the guard becomes detached from the winter weather. As snow slides down underneath and on top of your panels, that snow can freeze and create ice that attaches to the guard. The movement of that snow and ice can cause the guard material to pull away from the panels, putting pressure on the clips that are attached underneath the panels. Those clips can break or release under pressure causing the guard to come loose. If the guard becomes loose, and provides an opening that is at least 2 inches in diameter, birds can get inside the cage and back underneath your panels. If you notify us immediately, we will come out and fix the guard without a new bird or squirrel issue occurring. However, if you don’t notify us immediately, birds can and will nest underneath the panels again creating a cleanup problem. We can perform the cleanup when we come back out to fix the guard, but there would be a charge for that depending on the severity of the cleanup and the amount of time it would take. 

FAQs

How much damage can pigeons under solar panels really cause to my roof, wiring, and solar system?
Pigeons are more than just a noisy nuisance. Their droppings are acidic and eat away at roofing materials, shingles, and even the protective layers of solar panels. Nests trap moisture and block airflow, leading to overheating and water damage. Worse, nesting debris can clog gutters, and their constant scratching can loosen wiring and components. Left unchecked, a small pigeon problem can turn into thousands of dollars in roof repairs and reduced solar panel efficiency.
Solar panels create the perfect environment for pigeons: warm, dry, safe from predators, and close to food sources. Once one pair nests under your panels, they quickly attract more. Because pigeons can breed year-round when the winters are mild, two birds can multiply significantly within a single season. The only proven solution is professional pest exclusion, which installs durable barriers around your panels so pigeons cannot access the underside.
Yes. Squirrels are notorious for gnawing through solar panel wiring. This not only shuts down your system but can also cause shorts that increase the risk of electrical fires. A single squirrel can do hundreds of dollars in damage in one day, and repeated chewing weakens your entire array. Installing a squirrel guard with pest exclusion is the best way to prevent this hazard.
Absolutely. Pigeon droppings are highly corrosive and block sunlight, cutting panel efficiency by as much as 20–30%. Many solar manufacturers specifically exclude damage caused by birds or animals from their warranties. That means cleanup and repairs fall on the homeowner unless you have pest exclusion in place to keep pigeons away.
Faster than most homeowners realize. A single pigeon pair can produce up to 14 new chicks per year. Those chicks start breeding within 6–7 months, which means two pigeons can easily become an infestation within a year. Once established, the flock will treat your roof as their permanent home, making removal more difficult and expensive.
The only long-term, proven solution is installing a professional solar panel critter guard, also known as a pest exclusion system. DIY methods like spikes, nets, or fake owls rarely work and often cause damage to your roof or panels. A proper exclusion uses durable metal mesh attached around the entire solar array to block animals from nesting while allowing airflow for system performance.
A well-installed critter guard works for years, especially when backed by a professional warranty. At Wash Me Solar, our exclusion systems are installed with heavy-duty clips and mesh that resist weather, snow, and animal tampering. We also offer a lifetime warranty on material and installation for extra peace of mind.
Before installing a critter guard, all nests, feces, and debris must be removed. This protects both your roof and the panels from further damage. Pigeon droppings carry harmful bacteria and parasites, so safe removal requires professional protective equipment and disposal. A thorough clean-up is required, as pigeons are attracted to the smell of their homes and feces, and will keep returning until the pheromones are removed. Wash Me Solar provides complete cleaning and sanitization before installing the exclusion barrier.
If you see pigeons roosting on your roof, droppings on your driveway or patio, nesting materials in your gutters, or hear scratching under your panels, you already have a problem. Utah homeowners are especially vulnerable because pigeons thrive year-round here. Pest exclusion is the best way to permanently prevent infestations before they cause expensive repairs.
Ignoring pigeons only makes the problem worse. Nests continue to grow, droppings build up and corrode surfaces, and flocks multiply. Eventually, your solar system can lose efficiency, your roof can leak, and your warranty can be voided. We’ve seen homeowners having to replace their roof due to the damage. Cleanup costs rise with time, so addressing the issue early saves you money and stress.
Most companies only cover the guard material itself. At Wash Me Solar, we go further. Our Lifetime Warranty covers both the material and installation. And customers on our biannual or triannual solar panel cleaning packages receive an additional Cleanup Warranty, meaning any future pigeon or squirrel messes are taken care of at no extra cost.
Yes. Pest exclusion is a small investment compared to thousands of dollars in roof repairs, wiring replacements, or degraded solar panels. Protecting your panels today ensures your solar system delivers maximum efficiency for decades without surprise repair bills.
Pigeon droppings can spread histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis – respiratory diseases harmful to people and pets. Their nests also attract mites, ticks, and fleas. For families, this turns a roof problem into a whole-home hazard, making pest exclusion essential.
The three main components that impact the amount of time are 1) the severity of the infestation, 2) the slope of the roof and the accessibility of the panels, and 3) how many panels are in the array. Most homes can be completed in just one day. Our team removes all debris, sanitizes the area, and installs the guard system around your solar panels. The process is efficient and minimally disruptive to your home.
Yes, you could try to DIY to save money but DIY solutions almost always fail, in fact about 30% of the jobs we do are fixing someone else’s attempt at critter guard. Attaching mesh or netting improperly can damage panels, void warranties, or leave gaps that animals exploit. Professional installation ensures proper fit, strong fastening, and full warranty protection. In the long run, DIY fixes often cost more once repairs are needed.
Wash Me Solar specializes in solar panel pest exclusion across Utah. We’ve handled more pigeon infestations than any other company in the state and back our work with the strongest warranties available.

Additional Cleanup Warranty for Biannual/Triannual Solar Panel Cleaning Packages

Customers who are on our Biannual/Triannual Solar Panel Cleaning packages receive an additional Cleanup Warranty with their cleaning package. Because we are on your roof every 6 months cleaning your panels and inspecting your Pest Exclusion, we will warrant your entire Pest Exclusion to include cleanup services for each year our customer is on the cleaning package. So as long as you remain a solar panel cleaning customer of ours, you have 100% peace of mind that you’ll never have to pay for cleanup or a Pest Exclusion service ever again!

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