What are Defender Solar Panel Jaws® Bird Excluders?
What are solar panel bird excluders?
Defender Solar Panel Jaws® Bird Excluders (patent pending) are an innovative solar panel bird proofing system designed to prevent pigeons nesting under solar panels. They install in seconds with no glue, no clips, and no drilling required.
What birds will the Jaws® excluder work for?
Defender Solar Panel Jaws® Bird Excluders are designed to stop pigeons and gulls from getting underneath solar panels, preventing them from nesting or roosting beneath the solar panel array.
What makes them easier to install than other solar panel proofing methods?
With Defender Jaws® there are no fiddly components, clips, screws or messy adhesives. The one piece moulded strip with integral attaching Jaws snaps securely onto the solar panel frame in seconds. It fits both 30 mm and 35 mm panels, keeps warranties intact, and can be removed just as easily for maintenance. The result is a faster, simpler and more cost effective way to stop pigeons getting under solar panels.
How do they attach to my solar panel?
Our solar panel bird excluders are designed to attach directly to the edge of your solar panel frame, with no complicated clips, no glue, and no drilling. They attach using two integral jaws on either side of the strip, which is simply snapped into position by hand.
Do they fit all solar panels?
Defender Jaws® is designed to fit the most common UK solar panel frame depths of 30 mm and 35 mm. The strip features a unique reversible design, with one side fitting a 30 mm frame and, when flipped over, the other side fitting a 35 mm frame.
If you have much older solar panels, the frame depth can sometimes differ from these standard sizes, so we recommend measuring the aluminium edge or checking the installation paperwork before purchasing to ensure the correct fit.
How easy are Defender Jaws® to install?
The Defender Jaws® strips are very easy to install. They are a single moulded piece with integral Jaws® that simply snap fit to the side of any 30 mm or 35 mm solar panel. Take them straight out of the box and fit. No need for extra glue, clips or screws.
Do solar panel bird excluders work instantly?
Yes. Once installed around the full perimeter of your solar panel array, the bird excluders work immediately to stop pigeons and other birds gaining access underneath your panels.
The system creates a physical barrier around the edge of the solar panels, preventing birds from getting under the array to nest, roost, or cause damage. As soon as the perimeter is fully sealed with no gaps, access is blocked straight away.
What are Defender Solar Panel Jaws® Bird Excluders made from?
Every strip is moulded from high performance UV stabilised polycarbonate. This single part design keeps material costs efficient, maximises structural strength, and delivers long lasting performance in demanding outdoor conditions. Carbon black pigment is added as an effective UV stabiliser, absorbing ultraviolet radiation at the surface and dissipating it as heat. This prevents UV from penetrating the polymer structure, helping to reduce fading, brittleness, and loss of mechanical strength over time, so your solar panel bird protection remains durable and reliable for years to come. This is why they come with a 15-Year material warranty.
This is why Defender Jaws® comes with a 15 year material warranty, giving you long term confidence that your solar panel bird proofing is built to last.
Can You see the Defender Solar Panel Jaws® once installed?
Defender Jaws® is designed to be as discreet as possible once fitted. The slim profile sits neatly along the edge of the solar panel frame, and the black finish blends naturally with modern black framed solar panels and dark roof lines. From ground level, they are barely noticeable, preserving the clean look of your solar array while still providing strong and effective protection against pigeons accessing underneath.
Why do birds nest under solar panels?
Once solar panels are fitted to a roof, they can unintentionally create an ideal urban nesting space for pigeons. There are several reasons for this.
Solar panels are installed high on a property, typically facing direct sunlight. Pigeons naturally prefer elevated positions, as it allows them to survey a wide area for predators and potential food sources. This is why they are often seen perched on ridge tiles and rooftops.
Solar panels provide not only an additional perch, but also a sheltered cavity beneath them. The gap between the panels and the roof creates a protected space where pigeons can enter, build nests, and raise their young. The panels offer concealment from predators and protection from wind and rain. In addition, solar panels do become warm, creating a more stable and comfortable environment for nesting birds.
Without proper solar panel bird proofing, this sheltered space can quickly become an established nesting site.
Do birds damage solar panels?
Yes. Once pigeons begin nesting under solar panels, they can cause significant damage to both the system and the property.
Pigeons drag nesting materials such as twigs, leaves and debris into the gap between the solar panel and the roof tiles. This gap is essential for airflow, which helps regulate panel temperature and maintain efficiency. When it becomes blocked, panel performance can drop. In serious cases, built up dry debris can also increase fire risk.
Pigeons breed frequently throughout the year, which means nesting material and guano can accumulate quickly. Pigeon droppings are acidic and can damage essential solar panel cabling. Constant bird movement under the panels can also disturb and strain electrical wiring over time.
The damage is not limited to the panels themselves. Nesting debris, feathers, guano and even dead birds can wash into gutters and downpipes, causing blockages. This can lead to water overflow, leaks, internal damp issues and structural damage to the property.
In addition, pigeon nests often carry bird mites. These parasites can migrate into roof spaces and living areas in search of food once nesting birds leave. Combined with the build up of guano, this creates hygiene and health concerns for homeowners.
Can birds nesting under the solar panel affect performance?
Yes. Bird activity around solar panels can reduce overall system performance in ways that are not always immediately visible.
When pigeons settle beneath panels, their presence can create ongoing disturbance to the installation. Movement, vibration and repeated landing and take off can place stress on fixings and mounting points over time. This can gradually affect panel positioning, which may influence energy generation if alignment is altered.
Guano on the surface of the panels can also reduce light absorption. Even small areas of soiling can create shading across photovoltaic cells, limiting the amount of electricity produced. In solar systems connected in series, reduced output from one panel can influence the performance of the wider array.
Can I remove the nests and live birds from under solar panels?
All wild birds are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This means you are unable to kill birds or damage their nests or eggs while the nest is active. However, once you are sure the nest has been abandoned and the chicks have fledged, you should remove the debris before installing your Defender Jaws® Solar Panel Excluders. If in doubt, do contact a professional bird proofing installer.
Quality Polycarbonate Defender Jaws®Plastic Panel Pigeon Excluder
The Defender Jaws® Solar Panel Excluders (patent pending) is moulded from high quality polycarbonate. It comes with a 15 Year Warranty when installed in the UK. The spike excluder is manufactured from black UV Stabilised Polycarbonate that can withstand extremes of temperature and weather. It will not become brittle, even in direct sunlight.
British Manufactured Solar Panel Bird Excluders
All Defender® Bird and Pigeon Spikes are made in the UK using only the highest quality materials. Jones and Son Pest Control Supplies Ltd is a family-run business which prides itself on the manufacture of quality plastic pigeon spikes that will keep pigeons, seagulls and other birds from nesting under your solar panels.
For full terms and conditions of the Defender® Bird Spikes UK Warranty, please see our Warranty Information Page.