Solar panels create an inviting environment for birds to nest. Unfortunately, this can create a problem for you as their mess can reduce the efficiency of your solar panels. No matter whether you have commercial solar PV panels or a residential solar panel system, you want to know your investment is working at its best. Enter solar panel birdproofing.
Pigeons are particularly notorious for creating a home under your solar panel system, meaning pigeon-proofing solar panels is important for your solar panel performance.
At Prostar Energy, part of our solar panel maintenance includes bird-proofing. With a team that has a combined 50 years of experience in the solar panel industry, we know how important it is to keep your systems bird-free and how to do this efficiently and effectively.
In this blog, we share everything you need to know about solar panel birdproofing.
Why is Solar Bird Proofing Important?
Pigeons and birds are known for the mess they make, both with droppings and twigs and leaves for their nests.
But having birds home under your panels is a problem for several reasons:
- Bird mess blocks sunlight absorption
- Nesting debris and dirt accumulate, blocking airflow around the panels
- Birds can peck or scratch the panels, causing physical damage
- Droppings and nests harbour parasites, which can pose a health risk to humans nearby
These not only reduce the efficiency of your panels, but they can also reduce the lifespan of them too.
What does this mean for you? Well, it means that you won’t be getting the most out of your system, as they won’t be producing as much energy as they could, meaning your ROI will be slower. Plus, the reduction in lifespan could mean you are having to shell out for new panels or a new system sooner than you originally anticipated – costing you more money than you expected.
Pigeon-proofing solar panels prevent the birds from nesting under the panels in the first place, meaning you can avoid all the problems that come with it.
How Does Solar Bird Proofing Work?
There are several bird-proofing methods, each working slightly differently.
Mesh Installations
Mesh installations are some of the most effective solutions. This method involves specialised mesh being installed around the perimeter of the solar panels.
It creates a physical barrier that stops birds from getting under the panels and nesting.
The advantages of this method are:
- Durable and weather-resistant materials.
- Allows for proper ventilation to maintain panel efficiency.
- Virtually invisible from ground level, maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Bird Spikes
Another commonly used method is bird spikes.
The spikes are placed around solar panels or other rooftops and discourage birds from landing or roosting on the panels by making the surface uncomfortable without harming them.
The benefits of this method are:
- Easy to install.
- Low maintenance and long-lasting.
- Ideal for larger birds like pigeons and seagulls.
Visual and Sound Deterrents
Visual and sound deterrents are often additional methods that are used alongside one of the above options.
Visual deterrents include reflective strips or mimic predators, which scare birds away. While auditory deterrents emit unpleasant sound frequencies that birds can hear but are undetectable to humans.
The pros to adding these to your bird-proofing methods are:
- Non-intrusive and cost-effective.
- Can cover larger areas where physical barriers may not be feasible.
Benefits of Solar Bird Proofing
As you can imagine, there are a number of benefits to bird-proofing and pigeon-proofing solar panels.
Benefits include:
- Protects efficiency – birdproofing stops debris and mess blocking the panels and preventing them from absorbing sunlight and producing energy.
- Prevents structural damage – birds nesting under panels can cause damage, so removing the situation protects the panels.
- Enhances lifespan – keeping your solar panels free of bird-related wear and tear helps preserve their durability over time.
- Reduces maintenance costs – cleaning bird mess needs to be done regularly and can be time-consuming, making it costly. Bird-proofing stops this need.
- Keeps your property clean – deterring birds from your roof also means your property will be free from bird mess.
- Minimises noise disturbance – nesting birds can cause noise, so removing them from your roof will also stop any noises.
- Humane and eco-friendly solutions – these methods aren’t harmful to the birds, so they protect your home while also protecting the wildlife and environment.
- Avoid pest infestation – birds can also attract other pests, so keeping your site bird-free increases the chances of keeping the system pest-free.
- Peace of mind – you won’t have to worry about birds reducing the solar panel’s efficiency or damaging the system.
Who Needs Solar Bird Proofing?
Bird-proofing solar panels are appropriate for anyone with a solar panel system, whether it be a commercial system or a residential one.
Birds are more likely to nest under panels on a roof, meaning that if you have a roof-mounted system, these solutions are probably more beneficial for you.
Of course, certain areas will be more prone to birds, making bird-proofing more important. Rural and suburban areas might have more frequent bird activity than urban and city areas.
This being said pigeons are known to make a home anywhere, so it is always worth investigating pigeon-proofing solar panels.
Choosing a Professional Solar Bird Proofing Service
Professional installation of pigeon-proofing solar panels is often a preferred option for DIY solutions.
Why?
- Expertise and experience – professionals will be able to install the solutions to suit your system for the best protection.
- Quality – you can be confident that the materials and solution are high-grade and durable.
- Safe and damage-free installation – professionals are trained to install the bird-proofing solution without damaging the system.
- Time-saving and convenient – DIY solutions can often need trial and error, so you can save time with a professional who knows what they are doing.
- Compliance with regulations – you can be confident any solution will meet local building codes and environmental regulations.
Prostar Energy are solar panel specialists and offers pigeon-proofing and bird-proofing solutions to commercial and residential solar panel systems.
We are a team of highly experienced installers who design and install a bespoke solution that fits your system and provides the best possible protection from bird activity.
If you need bird-proofing services for your solar panels, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today. We can discuss your options and installation processes and give you a quote. Call us on 0331 6302225 or complete our online contact form to request a callback.
