Wasp Nest Under Solar Panels: Why Rooftop Arrays Attract Them
If you have rooftop solar, you may have noticed wasps flying in and out from under the panels on a warm afternoon. A wasp nest under solar panels is hidden, high up and right next to electrical equipment. That makes it one of the clearer cases for leaving it to someone else.
Why Wasps Build Under Rooftop Arrays
Paper wasps look for protected spots to hang their umbrella-shaped nests. Clemson Extension lists roof overhangs, porch ceilings, attic rafters and the undersides of decks among their usual sites (Clemson HGIC: Paper Wasps). The gap between a panel and the roof deck has the same appeal: it’s shaded, it stays dry and nobody goes up there.
Yellowjackets build enclosed nests in secluded cavities, according to Ohio State University Extension (OSU Extension HYG-2075). Wasps steadily disappearing at the edge of an array, or near a roof penetration under it, may be using it as a route to a nest in the roof structure. See wasps in your attic or soffit.
Signs There’s a Nest Up There
- Steady traffic at one spot. The University of California IPM program notes that wasps flying directly in and out of a single location are probably flying to and from their nest (UC IPM). Watch the same panel edge for a few minutes on a warm afternoon.
- Wasps on the ground below the array or around nearby attic vents and soffits.
- More wasps each week. Colonies grow through the summer, so activity that keeps building is a clue.
Why a Wasp Nest Under Solar Panels Is a Poor DIY Job
Height. The CDC’s NIOSH notes that many ladder injuries happen at home, and that overreaching and carrying objects while climbing are common causes (CDC NIOSH Ladder Safety). Getting stung on a pitched roof is far worse than on the ground.
Electricity. Panels and their wiring are part of a live electrical system. OSHA lists electric shock, electrocution and fires among the hazards of working around electricity (OSHA: Electrical). Prying at panel edges or spraying liquid near connectors isn’t something to improvise.
You can’t see the nest. Spray aimed at the edge of an array rarely reaches a nest set back underneath, and it stirs up the colony. See DIY wasp spray mistakes.
Your warranty. Check with your solar installer before anyone touches, lifts or attaches anything to the array.
What to Do Instead
- Stay off the roof. Watch from the ground or a window.
- Take a zoomed photo showing where the wasps are going in, plus a wide shot of the roof.
- Text the photos to us for a free virtual quote. We’ll talk through access and whether your installer needs to be involved.
Our team holds OSHA 30-Hour and NFPA 70E training, and we remove nests by hand or vacuum, with no pesticides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep wasps out from under panels?
Ask your installer whether a guard or screen is approved for your system. General sealing tips are in our wasp prevention guide.
Is it really a wasp nest?
If the insects are fuzzy and golden-brown, they may be honeybees, which we always relocate. See honeybee vs. yellowjacket.
What about nests in gutters nearby?
See wasps in gutters and downspouts.
Keep Your Feet on the Ground
Call or text Northwest Ohio Wasp Removal at 419-614-6445, or use our contact page. Details are on our wasp and hornet nest removal page.
