More panels can change the perimeter that needs protection. Include bird proofing in the expansion plan—not as an afterthought.
“I already had my solar panels bird-proofed. Do I need to do anything when I add more?”
The short answer: have the expanded system checked. Your existing barrier was fitted to the original layout. It should not be assumed to protect panels installed afterward.
I’m PJ, founder of PJ Solar Cleaning & Bird Proofing. We’ve been operating since 2017. When discussing an expansion, I want to know more than the new panel count: where are the panels going, and will the installation disturb the existing mesh?
Same roof does not mean the same protected space
New panels might extend an existing section or form a separate array elsewhere on the roof. Those arrangements create different bird-proofing scopes.
A separate array needs its own assessment. An expanded array needs its new outside edges checked, along with any original barrier affected by the work.
PJ Solar uses Bird-B-Gone mesh and clips. The manufacturer describes its solar panel bird deterrent system as a physical barrier designed to prevent birds from accessing the space beneath solar arrays. Its protection depends on addressing that access—not simply having some mesh somewhere on the roof.
Ask who is responsible before installation starts
Do not assume the solar installer’s price includes removing, replacing or extending bird proofing. Ask for that responsibility to be stated in the scope of work.
Before the expansion, establish:
- Whether existing mesh must be opened or removed.
- Who will restore any disturbed sections.
- Whether the new array will receive bird proofing.
- Who will inspect the completed perimeter afterward.
If one company installs the panels and another handles bird proofing, coordinate the work so neither assumes the other is finishing it.
Why panel count alone does not establish the price
Panel count helps describe the system, but it does not show the length or shape of the exposed perimeter.
A compact group of panels and several separate groups can require different amounts of perimeter work. Roof contours, corners, panel clearance and conduit also affect the fit. PJ Solar assesses those details when preparing a bird-proofing estimate.
Send the proposed layout if you have it. Photos taken safely from the ground and your original installation paperwork can also help explain what is changing. You do not need to climb onto the roof.
Keep cleaning and warranty coverage clear
More panels also mean updating your cleaning scope. PJ Solar uses DI water only for panel glass and generally recommends solar panel cleaning about every six months, adjusted to the property’s conditions.
Our five-year bird-proofing labor warranty requires annual cleaning and inspection. We perform that annual inspection during the scheduled cleaning visit. Before expanding the system, ask us to clarify coverage for the original installation and any new work. Do not assume the original warranty automatically extends to additional panels.
The goal is straightforward: finish the expansion with a clear understanding of what is protected, what was inspected and what maintenance comes next.
Visit PJ Solar’s bird-proofing service page or call 760-590-8516 to discuss your planned expansion.