Solving Bird Problems on Solar Panels

 

 

Solving Bird Problems on Solar Panels

 

 

Birds, especially pigeons, love nesting under solar panels as they create an ideal environment that mimics their natural habitat. The low clearance provides protection from predators, shade from the hot sun and an easy vantage point for the problem birds. But these problem birds can cause a lot of problems if they roost or nest around the solar panels.

 

Birds walking on the solar panels or hanging out on them can scratch the glass, compromising the integrity of the solar panel.  Bird droppings are acidic and corrosive, so if the droppings are left on the solar panels they not only block portions of the panel from receiving the sun, making them less effective, but they can damage the panels as well.  If the droppings are on the mountings If the droppings are on the mountings securing the panels or the joints connecting portions of the panels they can lead to the structure breaking down, especially in extreme weather such as high winds which could compromise the integrity of the structure and crack the panels in extreme cases.  Bird droppings and nesting materials can block run off water as they build up, keeping it sitting on your roof tiles and eroding the tiles so the water gets underneath them, shortening the life of your roof. Some problem bird species such as pigeons like to peck at things and they can peck at the wires connecting the panels, causing exposure of the wires or cutting them altogether.  Combining this with the nesting materials…even a small spark from a stray wire can create a fire quickly. Bird droppings also can carry a host of very serious diseases such as salmonella, histoplasmosis, encephalitis, meningitis, West Nile virus and more.  And finally, especially with solar panels as they are such a protected area, when these problem birds build nests under the panels they can attract other pests such as squirrels and other rodents which love to chew on wiring themselves.

So how do you get rid of these birds who have made your solar panels their new home?

Ideally you would install bird control products when the installation of the solar panels is occurring, however, often people don’t realize that they are building the perfect bird condos until after the installation has happened.  First, be on the lookout for birds hanging around the solar panels regularly darting in and out.  This should be able to be done from ground level most of the time, but you may want to check once or twice a year up close. 

If you do see birds around your solar panels or hanging out on them, then you will first need to make sure the area underneath is completely clear of nesting materials (and disinfect the area under them as well) and clean the solar panels so no bird droppings remain.  It is important to get to cleaning the panels soon after you see birds around there so no permanent damage is done to the panels or structure.

Once the area is clean, if the birds were nesting you will need to install wire mesh or bird netting along all of the openings to completely prevent access and protect the roof, wiring and equipment from damage.  There is a solar panel bird deterrent kit available that includes special UV stable clips (installed every 18 inches to attach the wire mesh) that will not damage the system and PVC wire mesh.  There are also special pre-cut inserts for installations on Spanish tile roofs.

For preventing larger problem birds like pigeons, crows and gulls from loafing around and on the solar panels (if they are not nesting) a great option is Bird Spikes. Made from U.V. resistant polycarbonate with stainless steel, blunt-tipped rods, these Spikes make it difficult for birds to get a foothold on the roof.  The spikes are flexible and can be sectioned into smaller pieces as well, making it easy to cover the roof area.

Other products that can be very effective when used in combination are bird scare deterrents.  The key to these products working is to make sure there is a combination of visual and audio products.  Get some moving predator effigies such as the Rotating Owl which rotates on a base in the wind, or the Gull-Cat Bird Scare Deterrent which is a lifelike cat effigy that is in a menacing stance and has parts that move in the slightest breeze.  Combine these with the Bird Xpeller Pro audio deterrent that has both predator sounds and species specific distress calls and you can create the real sensation in the birds that predators are very close. 

To up the ante on the bird scare deterrents, you can add in the new Bird Free Optical Repellent Gel. This gel come in pre-loaded low-profile dishes that can be placed in front of the area where the birds would access the underside of the solar panels.  The bird gel has a smell the birds do not like and, more importantly, it creates the optical illusion of FIRE for the birds because of their ability to see in the ultraviolet light range.  They actually think that the dishes are on fire keeping them out from the underside of the solar panels.  Bird Free Optical Repellent Gel is resistant to extreme high and low temperatures and it will not drip on vertical surfaces. It has a film that keeps it from evaporating, providing protection for up to two years.

If you have pest bird problems on your Solar panel units and are unsure which would be the best bird deterrent to use feel free to call us at 855-741-3222 or email us at mark@birdsgottago.com. We can assist you with determining the right product(s) to order and/or recommend an expert local installer if you or your maintenance team needs on site guidance.