Free solar panels + birds nesting

[Deleted User]

Hi my parents had free solar panels done via ashadegreener some 4-5 years ago. The guttering by the panels have accumulated gigantic bird nests + lots of dropped pigeon eggs/dead chicks on the patio as well as a line of bird droppings. Now with the gutter getting blocked its getting quite troublesome.
I've wrote to ashadegreener who have said the cost is ~£600 to go up and install a cage.
Is anyone aware if we have some kind of recourse with ashadegreener regarding this? I know maintenance of the panel falls under their responsibility but I imagine my only option is to get this fixed privately?

emgus53

Our property has 'rent-a-roof' solar panels installed (prior to us purchasing, different company to your parents) which pigeons moved into/under shortly after we moved in c3 years ago. They caused a lot of mess (similar to what you mention) so we just repeatedly complained to the solar maintenance company appointed by the owners of our panels and they eventually sent someone out late last year to clear any nests from under the panels and fit mesh around them to prevent the pigeons getting back in free of charge.
I can't imagine this would have cost them anywhere near £600 as the guy was only here for about an hour and it's not any special mesh or anything, just up and down on ladders fixing it to the side of the panels/frame. If you were trying to sort it privately then ashadegreener would need to be consulted and agree to it being done as it's their panels that you'd be fixing the mesh to.

Take a look (if you haven't already) at the lease documents to see if theres any requirement on the tenant to not have a detrimental effect on the property (or something along those lines). Though this may come under the maintenance aspect anyway. We based our arguments on the fact that if the solar panels weren't there then the pigeons wouldn't nest there and therefore there wouldn't be any mess, and as they were responsible for the solar panels then they need to sort it out!

Hope you/your parents manage to get it sorted soon. 

Cardew

Deleted_User said:

Hi my parents had free solar panels done via ashadegreener some 4-5 years ago. The guttering by the panels have accumulated gigantic bird nests + lots of dropped pigeon eggs/dead chicks on the patio as well as a line of bird droppings. Now with the gutter getting blocked its getting quite troublesome.
I've wrote to ashadegreener who have said the cost is ~£600 to go up and install a cage.
Is anyone aware if we have some kind of recourse with ashadegreener regarding this? I know maintenance of the panel falls under their responsibility but I imagine my only option is to get this fixed privately?

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This problem has been the subject of a long thread in the Green and ethical section of this forum see: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5617212/pigeons-nesting-under-my-panels

[Deleted User]

emgus53 said:

Our property has 'rent-a-roof' solar panels installed (prior to us purchasing, different company to your parents) which pigeons moved into/under shortly after we moved in c3 years ago. They caused a lot of mess (similar to what you mention) so we just repeatedly complained to the solar maintenance company appointed by the owners of our panels and they eventually sent someone out late last year to clear any nests from under the panels and fit mesh around them to prevent the pigeons getting back in free of charge.
I can't imagine this would have cost them anywhere near £600 as the guy was only here for about an hour and it's not any special mesh or anything, just up and down on ladders fixing it to the side of the panels/frame. If you were trying to sort it privately then ashadegreener would need to be consulted and agree to it being done as it's their panels that you'd be fixing the mesh to.

Take a look (if you haven't already) at the lease documents to see if theres any requirement on the tenant to not have a detrimental effect on the property (or something along those lines). Though this may come under the maintenance aspect anyway. We based our arguments on the fact that if the solar panels weren't there then the pigeons wouldn't nest there and therefore there wouldn't be any mess, and as they were responsible for the solar panels then they need to sort it out!

Hope you/your parents manage to get it sorted soon. 

This is the same argument I hold. Though I did not pursue it further. 

But I think now with my gutter getting blocked it seems plausible than just have eggs being dropped from above! (so much so ive had paint damage to my car).

Will definitely be having a word.

[Deleted User]

Tried my hand by formulating a letter clearly stating the problem with several images showing the height of the issue. Just received a very arrogant letter back saying they have no obligation. Possibly the case, depending on interpretation of the lease. Also subtly warned that specifically 2 other customers tried to raise the matter in court to no avail. Birds, which are attracted to their panels, are causing damage to our cars, guttering, patio and our health when we are having to clean the bird poo/cracked eggs.

Anyone have any suggestions at this point? I imagine these type of companies are not bound by any particular ombudsman?

Hasbeen

If you have to go down the route of getting it privately fixed, then look on line for kits also u tube videos showing installation.

Shop around get kit and get local roofer in? Might be last alternative to.

https://www.pestfix.co.uk/solar-panel-bird-exclusion-system-installation-guide.asp

dukoSmash

I am having to have the bird-proofing fitted by a local company. I am in no way happy with A-shade-greener (ASG). It is nothing but a shady-company. The contract says - the land-lord (me) is not allowed to interfer or modify the installation, but for this issue they want us to install the bird-proofing. 

ASG has leased the air-space above the sourthen roof, where they have installed the panels. If the birds are nesting there, then these birds are squatting in their leased air-space. Also the birds nesting there is a direct consequence of the panels being installed. I do not see birds on our neighbour's roof where there is no installation. Yet ASG claims that this is not their concern.

Bird-poo is all over the garden and decking. We have young children who would be more active in the garden in the coming months. This is a proper health hazard. The birds have also manged to dislodge couple of tiles from under the roof, which could have landed on one of our heads. Yet ASG refuses to address this from their end. Infact they refused and said that if I am unhappy then I can fill in their complains book (the arrogance!).

For now, I am footing the bill to fit bird-proofing but I am sharing my experience just in case it helps someone or someone can advice me on how ASG could be made to realise their share of duty.

Cardew

Take them to the small claims court?

Get your MP to take up the case.

Start a campaign here or facebook.