A growing number of people are turning to solar panels as the demand for sustainable energy sources increases. Solar power meets your energy requirements while reducing your carbon footprint. In the long run, it’s also cheaper than electricity. However, the upfront costs are significant, which is why you should make sure your setup lasts as long as possible. Pigeons and other birds are some of the challenges you have to deal with if you install solar panels. Some birds like nesting in the spaces between roofs and panelling, which can raise various issues.
Pigeons can damage the installation, leading to more costs. Bird proofing solar panels helps keep away the avian population off your roof and allow your power source to function at full capacity. How does pigeon-proofing work, though? What will it cost you and what is the best way to do it? Learn as much as you can about preventing birds from nesting in your solar panel so that you can find the best solution.
Why Birds Settle in Solar Panels
If you are getting solar panels for the first time, then you should be aware that birds are a common menace. The space between solar panels and the roof offers a suitable nesting environment. Pigeons are particularly popular guests on rooftops. Shelter is the primary reason birds nest in solar panels. The installations provide comfortable places for birds to build nests. So, whatever your setup, expect some avian population to camp there. Another reason pigeons love roofs is that they get great views. Your roof offers vantage points, and birds are only too eager to take advantage. The biggest problem is that when pigeons find a home in your solar panels, getting rid of them is difficult. Chasing them is only a temporary solution. Homing birds, such as pigeons, will keep coming back to a familiar nest over and over. So, how long can you chase them away?
The Potential Damage
Birds might not seem like a big deal that you should worry about when fitting solar panels. However, until you have suffered the damage they cause, you may not understand the implications. Having pigeons sitting around between the panels and the roof is a recipe for disaster. For starters, birds are naturally messy. They will excrete wherever they settle. If the poop lands on the solar panels, it can interfere with their efficiency. When excrement accumulates on the surface, it prevents the system from harnessing the sun’s energy optimally. Thus, your system might not produce enough power for your needs.
You also have to worry about dried bird poop ending up in the central heating system. Particles can enter through vents and clog the installation, leading to other expenses. Aesthetics also comes into play when talking about birds and solar panels. Excrement is unsightly, and if it runs down the roof of a building, it will leave it looking messy. You also want your solar panelling to maintain its appearance for as long as possible, but the acidity of bird poop causes discolouration.
Damaged panels are another consequence of having birds living in your solar panels. Pigeons will scratch, peck and gnaw on surfaces and wires. So, both the panels and the electrical system are in danger. Pigeons and large birds can damage your power source, forcing you to repair it prematurely. Constant damage and repair decreases the lifespan of your solar panels.
The Right Way to Bird-Proof Solar Panels
Keeping away birds from solar panels mainly involves installing a barrier in the open space to prevent nesting. Several methods offer this solution. Fitting a wire mesh around the perimeter is one effective method of pigeon proofing solar panels. It stops pigeons from going underneath the panels. The wire mesh is usually clipped to the panel such that it can come off to facilitate cleaning.
Anti-roosting spikes primarily prevent birds from perching on solar panels. They make the surfaces unappealing. If pigeons can’t land on your panels, then they are less likely to make homes under them. The spikes used in this process are humane, acting as deterrents without harming animals.
Bird blockers work similar to wire mesh, except that they are more visually appealing. These products are designed to guard off birds without causing harm.
What’s The Cost?
How much you pay to pigeon proof solar panels depends on a few factors. Expect to spend anything from £40 to £70 for the services. This cost covers the bird-proofing equipment and labour. The type of proofing you decide to get is one aspect that determines the price. Wire mesh, bird blockers and spikes have varying costs. You also have to consider the amount of work it takes. Some installations are easier than others. The amount of damage caused will also matter. For example, if technicians have to repair some connections during the process, then you will have to pay more. Get a quote before the service to budget for the costs accordingly.
Why You Require Professional Services
You might wonder, why should I hire experts to bird proof my solar panels? The reason to hire professionals is that they know what they are doing. Even if you have an idea of what to do, you could still get it wrong. An expert with experience will, first of all, get the job right. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about dealing with the same problem after a while. As mentioned, homing birds tend to return to previous nesting locations. So, if the proofing is not correct, pigeons can still find a way to build homes on your panels.
Safety is another reason you shouldn’t attempt to DIY solar panel bird proofing. You might not know the safety measures required today climb to the roof and remove nests. Trying could endanger your life. Another element to consider is the safety of the birds. The last thing you want is to harm the avian guests in your panels because you don’t know how to get rid of them. Installers who have experience handling birds on roofs have effective methods of nests safely. They check for pigeons that might be trapped inside. Damaging the solar panels is another risk you should avoid. If you don’t have the know-how, you might mess with your installation, leading to more costs.
Bird proofing solar panels ensures they maintain maximum efficiency by preventing pigeons and other animals from nesting in them.
