Pigeon & Bird Guards in Scottsdale, AZ

Pigeon & Bird Guards solve a problem that shows up on rooftops all over Scottsdale. The space between a solar panel and the tile below is shaded, protected from wind and hard for predators to reach, which makes it a close match to the ledges pigeons nest on naturally. Once a pair settles in, more follow, and within a season the area under the array can fill with sticks, feathers and droppings.

What pigeons do to a solar system

• Droppings on the glass block sunlight to individual cells, and in the heat they bake on hard enough that rain does not remove them
• Nesting material packs the airflow gap under the panels, so the panels run hotter and lose more output
• Pecking and scratching can damage wire insulation and connectors, which can cause ground faults that shut down the inverter
• Debris and acidic droppings collect in roof valleys and around tile, holding moisture against the roof
• Noise from cooing and scratching is often the first thing homeowners notice, usually right above a bedroom

Why mesh works

The usual fix is a galvanized or coated wire mesh clipped to the panel frames and bent down to the roof around the whole edge of the array. It blocks entry without drilling into the panels or the roof, lets air keep moving under the array, and lets leaves and rainwater pass. Clips attach to the panel frame, so the panel warranty and the roof stay untouched. Spikes and decoys rarely last, because pigeons that have nested once keep trying to return.

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Cleaning comes first

Installing mesh over an active nest just traps the problem. We remove nests and debris from under every panel, scrape and wash droppings from the roof surface and the glass, and check the wiring and connectors under the array for damage before the mesh goes on. On concrete tile, we work from planned foot paths and replace any tiles that crack. Wear gear and safe disposal matter here, because pigeon droppings can carry disease and should not be swept up dry.

Wild birds and timing

Federal law protects most native bird species, and their active nests should not be disturbed. Pigeons, also called rock doves, are not a native species and do not have that protection. If we find a nest that belongs to another bird, we tell you and plan the work around it.

Looks and HOAs

Mesh is visible from the street, especially on low roofs. Black coated mesh tends to blend with dark panel frames better than bare metal. If your community has design guidelines, show your HOA a photo of the product first. In many master-planned neighborhoods, a neat black mesh around the array draws fewer complaints than pigeons do.