Why are There Pigeons Living Under Your Solar Panel and Where Did They Come From?

Why are There Pigeons Living Under Your Solar Panel and Where Did They Come From?

One of the unexpected problems of having solar panels on your roof are the animals they attract. Not many people realize it, but solar panels often attract various types of animals to nest or rest beneath the panels, which usually leads to damage or at least unwanted mess around the panels.

Pigeons are typically the biggest offenders when it comes to living under solar panels. The conditions are perfect for nesting, with other birds also being a common pest for solar panels attached to roofs.

So why exactly are there pigeons living under your solar panels? Where did these pests even come from in the first place? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Why Solar Panels?

Safety

The main reason solar panels are a preferred nesting location for pigeons is quite simple – they provide a safe environment for a nest. Think about it – solar panels offer a huge area of coverage but plenty of space beneath the panels for nesting, making it safe for pigeons hoping to avoid various predators.

Warmth

Another common reason pigeons love solar panels is that they offer a warm nesting location. Granted, the heat emitted is minor so not that noticeable, but it provides that little bit of encouragement for a pigeon looking for the best nesting conditions possible.

Also, the sheer size of solar panels means they offer a good level of protection from the elements, providing some of the best insulation a pigeon could hope to find.

Where are Pigeons Coming From?

Pigeons have rather unique nesting habits that mean they might be coming from far and wide to nest beneath your solar panels. They traditionally nest around high spots, with roofs, ledges, rafters, and beams being popular locations.

So, as you can imagine a solar panel provides the perfect habitat for a pigeon, so they may relocate their nest from a nearby location to your home. This applies to both rural and metropolitan areas, as pigeons nest almost everywhere in the country.

As a result, many homes have nests in and around the roofs, even those without solar panels. In fact, the reason you may have pigeons now nesting near your solar panels is because a neighbor has had them removed.

Pigeons prefer to remain in the one area after establishing a nest, coming back each year to build a new one, so there is a chance that a neighbor or local business has had them removed and they have relocated to your roof to nest!

Premier Solar Cleaning, LLC is a veteran owned and operated solar panel cleaning company. We provide Commercial Solar Cleaning, Efficiency Checks, and Repair Consultations; as well as Residential Solar Cleaning. Serving all of Southern California with phenomenal solar cleaning that saves you money, we have rapidly become an authority on solar panel cleaning, maintenance, and efficiency. To protect your investment, we use high-quality products that are specifically designed for safely cleaning solar panels. No corrosive chemicals, only the purest reverse osmosis deionized water. We offer one-time cleaning and monthly maintenance programs are available.  Call us today at (951) 465-3117.