If you are using solar energy, you may well have come across birds nesting below the solar panels. This is because the space left between the panels and the roof offers a dry and sheltered environment for the birds, which, on the face of it, is all well and good.
However, once the birds pitch up beneath the solar panels and set up camp, they can cause a lot of undesirable issues, with the materials used to build their nests potentially clogging roof ridges, the twigs constantly scratching the transmission cables and exposing them, and inquisitive birds – and sometimes other pests, too – generally posing a risk to the the structural integrity of your panels.
Once the wires are exposed, fire hazards can easily start. But that’s not all; bird droppings are acidic and they not only affect the efficiency of the solar power system but may also corrode your roof. Birds chirping can be a noise disturbance, too, particularly in the morning.
All in all, it’s a problem worth confronting. And here’s how to do just that.
Pigeon Proofing Solar Panels
Due to all those challenges mentioned above, you need to ensure that birds are prevented from building shelter beneath your solar panels.
Generally speaking, these panels have been fitted with a plastic strip from beneath. The strip is fitted with needles that touch the roof making it impossible for birds to penetrate and build shelter. Between the needles, bridging has been done to ensure that no bird can pass between the different needles.
The materials used in making the strip are sturdy and strong hence cannot be broken. Also, the construction of the clip is unique because it allows for easy assembly and installation, but difficult to be pried loose by the birds. The design characteristics make the whole creation fit for function.
In order to achieve this, pigeon proofing solar panels will come in handy, as they are able to protect your panels and your roof from these pesky birds.
Reasons Why You Need Pigeon Proofing Solar Panels
If the message hadn’t yet landed, allow us to reiterate the reason why you might need pigeon-proofed solar panels, not only to help maintain your solar panels, but also for the safety of any birds who may otherwise attempt to nest under them.
1. The product is designed and assembled to be durable and serve customers up to the same period as the panels will do. You definitely don’t want to be replacing the pigeon proofing clips often because you will be incurring costs.
2. If your roof doesn’t have any birds living under your solar panels, then your roof will be clean. Also, roof drainage will be efficient. You will not need to contract cleaning and roofing services to clean and repair your roof. In that respect, you will have saved some cash.
3. Bird noises will be a thing of the past (within reason, of course!). Though you can’t keep all the birds chirping at bay, when chicks are hatched in nests made under solar panels, they tend to make a lot of noise. Having the clips installed below your solar panels will help keep that noise at bay.
4. Assembling and installing the plastic clips is very easy. If you already have solar panels installed, you can attach the clips on your own. What’s better than being able to fix something and saving installation fees?
5. The materials used in the production of the plastic clips are generally designed to be resistant to both ultraviolet radiation and frost. The plastic used should be also recyclable, making it more environmentally friendly.
6. Most insurers will not compensate for products that are scratched and destroyed for some reason. For instance, if the twigs used by birds to build nests scratch the transmission cables and lead to the panels malfunctioning, you may not be compensated.
You don’t have to incur extra costs in repairs on the cables and panels in general. Once the clips are in place, the only reason the panels will malfunction will be internal issues. In that case, your warranty will be valid and you won’t incur any charges.
The Bottom Line
There are multiple annoyances that pigeons can cause to solar panels, but when the solution is so simple, there really is no need to worry.