Price depends on panel count and array configuration. Includes existing nest removal, mesh, clips, fitting, and inspection. Cost confirmed in writing before any work begins.
Get a quoteCombine with a health checkSolar Tech Support is an absolute lifesaver. My solar and battery system stopped working completely, but after one quick phone call, they fixed the problem straight away. The original provider, GivEnergy, has gone into administration, leaving me entirely without support from the original installers. It was a terrible situation on GivEnergy’s part, but thankfully, Solar Tech Support came to the rescue!
When my GivEnergy battery started playing up it became basically useless and several companies I called said they couldn’t help. Solar Tech Support really knew their stuff, communicated very well and resolved the problem quickly. Without them I’d have had to buy a replacement battery.
I can add to the list of customers who had already 'given up' on GivEnergy due to their appalling customer service, and that was before they went into administration. So you can imagine my desperation when, having changed my ISP and my Inverter, predictably, proving to be the only device that didn't connect automatically to my new network, I found zero prospect of any customer support with GivEnergy having called in the administrators just five days earlier! The salvation came from Solar Tech Support. My IT advisor stumbled across their web site and some very helpful tips for beleaguered GivEnergy customers, as well as an offer to provide direct assistance. Nothing ventured, I decided to drop them an E-Mail, with very low expectations based on my experience of GivEnergy customer support. Within an hour Ron had responded with some pin point advice, and after a few exchanges of E-Mails he had nailed the problem, enabling the combined efforts of my IT advisor and solar installer to resolve it and reconnect my Inverter. Thank you Solar Tech Support, and Ron in particular, for coming to the aid of a deserted and despondent GivEnergy customer. Expert, razor sharp advice and first class customer service, even though I wasn't officially a customer.
Contacted Solar Tech about my Givenergy battery storage system that wasn't working. Battery status was "idle". Given the company Givenergy had gone bust, I need independent quality technical help. Very patient and clearly very knowledgeable about battery systems Ron diagnosed possible issues and suggested several possible remedies. Worked our way through them and fortunately it began to work. The fault was very specific and only an experienced engineer would have thought to check. Suffice to say I'll be back if I need independent support again. Lastly you only pay if there is a solution. Outstanding.
Contacted Ron with a problem and he sorted it out quickly with no problems at all. Very knowledgeable on anything solar/ batteries. I would recommend him to anyone
My Givenergy battery stopped working nearly a month ago. After unsuccessfully reaching out to my installer, who looks like he's also busted, I found Solar Tech Support on a Google search. They fixed my issue in a couple of hours. Any frustrated Givenergy customers, I highly recommend these guys.
The cavity between a solar panel and the roof is warm, sheltered from rain, and protected from predators — exactly what pigeons, starlings, and squirrels are looking for. Once birds establish a nesting site, the problems compound quickly.
Sharp nesting materials (twigs, wire) abrade DC cabling insulation. Squirrels will actively gnaw through cables. Damaged insulation creates arc risk and, in the worst cases, fire risk. Cable damage is the most serious consequence of bird nesting and may not be visible without removing panels.
Bird droppings on panel glass create shading that disproportionately affects string output. Partial shading from droppings can reduce output by 5–15% on affected strings. Droppings also scratch glass if left long-term, causing permanent micro-abrasion.
Nesting materials trap moisture under panels, promoting moss growth and panel frame corrosion. Blocked ventilation under the panels increases inverter temperature during summer and reduces efficiency. Debris around DC connectors increases corrosion risk.
Pigeons nesting under panels create significant noise — scratching, cooing, and activity from before dawn. Heavy accumulation of droppings adds weight to the roof and can block guttering. In severe cases, compacted nesting material under panels restricts airflow and creates a fire fuel load.
Solar panel bird mesh is a purpose-made aluminium or UV-stabilised polypropylene mesh that attaches to the outer edge of the panel frame using stainless steel clips. It covers the gap between the panel perimeter and the roof, physically preventing birds from entering.
Purpose-made solar bird mesh is typically 22–25mm aperture aluminium mesh — strong enough to resist bird pecking and squirrel investigation, lightweight, and rust-resistant. Black anodised aluminium is nearly invisible from street level. Cheaper PVC mesh degrades in UV and is not recommended for a permanent installation.
Clips hook onto the aluminium panel frame — no drilling into the panel, no adhesive, no penetration of the roof. The mesh rolls inward under the panel to contact the roof tile, closing the bottom gap. This clip-and-roll method is the industry standard. Avoid systems that use adhesive bonded directly to the panel frame — these can be difficult to remove if panels need servicing.
Bird mesh protects the entire underside of the array by covering the perimeter. Internal gaps between panels are not an entry point — birds cannot fly laterally under a mounted panel. The perimeter (especially the bottom edge) is where exclusion is critical. A correctly fitted mesh requires no maintenance and should last 15–20+ years.
A professional installation for a typical 12-panel array takes 2–4 hours. The process below applies to standard pitched-roof domestic installations.
Before any mesh is fitted, we inspect the array from the roof. We check for existing nesting material, visible cable damage, droppings accumulation, and any debris that needs clearing. If we find evidence of cable damage — abrasion, insulation stripped by squirrels — we document and advise on whether a cabling inspection is needed before proceeding. Fitting mesh over damaged cables traps the problem and makes future access harder.
Any existing nesting material is removed before mesh is fitted. Leaving nests in place traps moisture, creates a continued habitat that birds will attempt to re-enter, and may also create a fire fuel load. Droppings are cleared from the panel perimeter and guttering if accessible. For large or established nesting sites, specialist cleaning may be recommended before mesh fitting.
The exposed outer perimeter of the array is measured and mesh cut to fit. Each straight section is cut and fitted individually. On complex roof shapes (hipped roofs, arrays split across two pitches), each section is measured separately. Corner pieces are folded or cut to suit the array geometry.
Stainless steel clips are fitted to the outer panel frames at approximately 300mm centres. The mesh is then clicked into the clips, pulled taut, and the bottom edge rolled under to contact the tile surface. On each panel row, clips are fitted top, bottom, and sides — the mesh wraps the full outer perimeter of the array.
The entire perimeter is walked after fitting. We check for any gap wider than 20mm, paying particular attention to corners and the bottom edge where the mesh meets roof tiles. Gaps at tile junctions are the most common re-entry point — small filler sections are fitted where needed. A final check from ground level confirms the mesh is not visually intrusive.
Costs depend on panel count, roof pitch and access, and whether prior cleaning is needed. All quotes are confirmed in writing before any work begins.
Standard semi-detached or terraced roof, easy access, no prior damage.
Most residential solar installations. Includes nest clearance and gap sealing.
20+ panels, multi-pitch, scaffolding required, or significant prior bird activity needing specialist clearance.
Note on scaffolding: Many bird mesh installations can be carried out safely from a roof ladder or tower scaffold. For tall properties or complex rooflines, full scaffolding may be required — this adds £200–£500 to the total cost. We confirm access requirements and any scaffolding costs in the written quote before work begins.
If birds or squirrels have been under your panels for more than one season, inspect DC cabling before fitting mesh. Damaged cabling should be repaired before the array is sealed — once mesh is fitted, accessing the cable run requires removing sections of mesh. If your generation has dropped without explanation, cable damage may be a contributing factor. Contact us for a combined inspection and mesh quote.
Many homeowners combine bird mesh fitting with a solar system health check. While on the roof, we inspect panel condition, DC connector security, string cabling, and overall array health. This avoids two separate roof visits and provides a complete picture of your system.
Bird mesh does not require planning permission in England, Scotland, or Wales for standard domestic installations. Listed buildings or properties in conservation areas may have restrictions on external alterations — confirm with your local authority if in doubt. In most cases, bird mesh is a permitted development with no approval needed.
Combine with bird mesh fitting — panel inspection, cable check, and array health review while on the roof.
If birds have damaged cabling or DC connectors, repair before sealing the array with mesh.
Overview of all solar system upgrade options — EPS, extra battery, inverter replacement, and more.
If bird droppings or cable damage are causing generation loss, this guide covers underperformance diagnosis.
We fit quality aluminium bird mesh, clear existing nesting material, and check for cable damage while on the roof. Written quote before work begins, fitted in half a day for most domestic arrays.
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