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Pigeons nesting beneath solar panels can create a recurring cleaning problem. Nesting material and droppings accumulate around the panels, and debris can reach the gutters and outlets below.
AGCCO provides solar-panel bird proofing, cleaning of accessible material beneath panels using vacuum equipment, and solar panel cleaning. The aim is to address the source of repeated build-up as well as the debris already in the gutters.
Expert insight from Dylan Howell, Director of Australian Gutter Cleaning Co., with 15 years in roofing and eight years in gutter cleaning. Updated 28 October 2026.
Why cleaning alone may not solve a pigeon problem
If pigeons continue to use the same space beneath the panels, more material can collect after the gutters have been cleaned. Dylan regularly sees bird activity associated with rapid gutter build-up, plant growth and corrosion concerns.
Solar panels offer sheltered spaces that pigeons may use for nesting. Adelaide Plains Council identifies blocking access around panels as one way to discourage this use. The condition of the installation and other accessible nesting spots still matter.
A useful assessment looks at the panels, the debris around them, the gutters and downpipe openings. That helps establish whether cleaning, bird proofing or a combination of work is appropriate.
What AGCCO can include
Depending on access and the agreed scope, we can remove accessible debris beneath the panels with our vacuum equipment, clean the solar panels, clean the gutters and install bird proofing around the panel perimeter.
The property needs to be assessed before we commit to an approach. Roof pitch, surface condition and access affect how the work can be carried out.
Golden Grove: adapting the approach to a difficult roof
One Golden Grove property had a very steep, slippery roof. The customer told Dylan that numerous other gutter cleaners had declined the work after attending.
AGCCO used a two-person approach. One team member worked from the ground with the reach-pole vacuum system, while Dylan worked in the roof sections that could be accessed safely. The job included installing several harness points, clearing gutter debris and fitting bird proofing.
According to Dylan, the property's cleaning requirement then reduced from roughly every six months to every two to three years. That was the outcome at this particular property after addressing the bird problem; it is not the interval we recommend automatically for other homes.
The important part of this example is how the access and recurring debris source were addressed together. We assess each property rather than promising to access every steep roof.
Will bird proofing stop pigeons returning?
Bird proofing is intended to prevent access beneath the treated panels. A successful installation can make a substantial difference, but it is not a guarantee that no pigeon will visit the roof or find another sheltered location.
Tell us if activity continues after installation. Changes to the panels, damage to the barrier or other available nesting areas may need attention. We assess the situation rather than assuming another gutter clean is the whole answer.
Do the gutters still need maintenance?
Yes. Bird proofing does not stop tree debris, roof material or other objects from reaching the gutters. The next cleaning interval should reflect the conditions found after the work and the amount of debris that returns.
For most Adelaide homes, our starting recommendation remains an annual clean before winter. Read how we set a gutter cleaning schedule.
Request a bird proofing and cleaning assessment with your full property address and any known access concerns. Existing photos from a safe position can help explain where the birds are active.
Further reading: Adelaide Plains Council: feral pigeons.