Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Do Birds Nest Under Solar Panels

A Quality Australian Company

Solar Panel Protection – Simple and Easy Method to Deter Birds and Rodents from Your Solar Panels

All our products are designed and tested in Australia. This is your assurance of total quality from start to finish, and how you know you have a product you can depend on.

We also do an expert job of mesh installation, so you need have no worries that there will be any flaws in the installation process and back this up with a written warranty.

To find out more about the bird proofing options for solar panels available through Aussie Gutter Protection, simply get in touch via the phone number on this page or use our contact form to leave a message. Whatever way you get in touch, you can be sure of a prompt response and all the answers you need to assist you in your decision.

What About Jackdaws And Squirrels

Its not just pigeons that see solar panels as an ideal home. Quite understandably, jackdaws and squirrels also like to get cosy beneath a slab of silicon. Not together, mind. If theres any positive to what were telling you here, its that youll only end up with an infestation of one species.

If jackdaws get under your panels, this can pose even bigger problems than pigeons. Jackdaws are particularly industrious when it comes to building nests, and theyll ram the underside of your panels with all manner of sticks, twigs, and leaves.

All this material can create hot spots on your panels, which cause particular solar cells to overheat and reduce the overall efficiency of the system.

Squirrels, meanwhile, have something that pigeons and jackdaws dont teeth. Add a pair of incisors into the mix, and the potential for damage opens up spectacularly. Whats more, squirrels are desperately concerned about their incisors overgrowing, so habitual gnawing is the best solution.

This means squirrels can and will gnaw their way through your solar panels cables and components.

If you want an eco-friendly roof that’s supposed to be an environment for animals, why not consider a green roof?

You can save more than £400 each year, just by switching your homes energy supplier. If youre looking to cut down your bills, this ones a bit of a no-brainer.

How To Clean Bird Poop Off Solar Panels

When solar panels are clean they work more efficiently and solar panel systems can last longer. Birds often build their nests in dark, warm places such as underneath solar panels which makes cleaning bird droppings off solar panels an easy task.

First, you need to remove any twigs or debris from the area under your solar panel system using a broom or rake. Cleaning early in the morning when birds will not return is best!

Next, use a mild detergent and warm water to remove the bird droppings from your solar panels. The solar panel surface must be clean and free of any dirt or debris before you start cleaning.

Use warm water to clean bird poop off your solar panels

It is important that no soap residue remains on solar panels after washing them because it can limit solar energy production by creating an insulating layer over the glass which prevents heat absorption while also attracting dust particles.

If this occurs, use distilled vinegar instead of dishwashing liquid to wash your solar panels.

Rinse thoroughly with water once finished or if there are stains left behind try using concentrated white household vinegar diluted with four parts water for tough stains!

Then rinse again until all soapy residue has disappeared followed by another thorough rinsing in plain water.

Also Check: How To Mount Solar Panels On Metal Roof

Are Solar Panels Harmful To Birds

Solar panels are not harmful to birds. They can live under solar panels or on top of them without any issues.

A solar panel system will only harm birds if it has high solar voltages. However, this is not common with solar panels installed in the United States and other countries that use 240 volts or lower.

In fact, solar panels can even be beneficial to birds by providing shelter from strong winds and precipitation as well as a source of food which includes insects living on them.

They also provide perch areas for small songbirds like sparrows, warblers, finches and chickadees who eat seeds beneath them while they are off their nests eating during fall migration periods when insect prey is scarce.

When nesting season comes back around next year these same species return to benefit once more from solar arrays acting as energy-efficient bird feeders!

So solar panels are not harmful to birds at all!

Pigeons Love Solar Panels For Nesting

Pigeons Under Solar Panels

Pigeons have a reputation for not being the smartest birds in the garden, but they werent slow to discover that solar panels provide ideal nest locations and the rapid expansion in the popularity of the panels in recent years has meant that pigeons have been left spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a nest site.

But if theyve decided your rooftop is their ideal home in the sun, then their presence can not only lead to your roof quickly looking unsightly, it can also lead to blocked guttering thanks to fouling and nesting material getting washed down the roof during heavy rainfall and before too long, these blockages can lead to expensive repair costs.

So the number of pigeon-related enquiries we are now receiving has gone through the roof.

How to stop pigeons from nesting on your roof

The best protection is prevention, and as pigeons are scavengers the first thing to do is to make your garden less attractive to them: make it look a feeding wasteland , rather than pigeon take away heaven.

Pigeons will feed on nearly anything, so make sure there are no food scraps left out or allowed to be pulled from food waste bins . Store rubbish in bins with securely fitted lids so that pigeons cant gain access to the contents. If you store pet food outside, make sure you do so in strong containers with fitted lids and ensure that other materials such as twigs and leaves are removed from around your property, making it harder for pigeons to build their nests.

You May Like: Why Go Solar In California

How To Stop Birds From Nesting Under Solar Panels

The underside of solar panels offers such great cover and warmth that birds often decide to build a nest here. With the use of meshing, netting, decoy, and spikes you can ensure that birds do not meddle with your solar panels!

Solar panels are a great investment in terms of the electricity they provide and the improvement to the sale value of your property. With the solar panels placed on the roof, they are out of the way and provide a considerable amount of electricity even on cloudy days. Unfortunately, the underneath area of the panels provides a perfect place for birds to nest. Understanding how to keep birds from nesting under your solar panels will help save you some grief.

Regular Maintenance Of Solar Panels

Maintenance of the solar panel is paramount if you want to keep of notorious birds like pigeons and other pests. The PV array should always be in good condition and should be less susceptible to bird droppings. Look for a professional solar panel company in Glasgow, that will do routine cleaning of the panels, carry out any repairs needed on the panel, check cracks or any mounting issues. This will ensure that the panel is not infested by the birds and its efficiency is optimal.

Read Also: What Size Solar Panel To Charge 50ah Battery

Protect Your Valuable Assets With Solar Panel Bird Mesh

Compared to the high cost and inconvenience of replacing a damaged solar panel, installing our bird mesh is a very modest cost. Its going to save you from a lot of problems, and it is the best product for the job because it doesnt interfere with the solar energy collection potential of your solar panels.

The quality of the mesh is very important. If you use an inferior mesh, you will definitely get inferior results. If the mesh is not strong, it wont really protect your panels, and in fact, youll lose even more money because the mesh itself would be damaged. If the mesh is not fine enough, it will allow bird or vermin to get through, again defeating the purpose. And if the mesh is too fine, the air wont be able to circulate properly, reducing the efficiency of the panel.

Aussie Gutter Protection makes the best solar panel mesh because we design it with the needs of the solar user in mind. Clearly, there are two important priorities, which are making sure the panel can do its job and making sure the panel is adequately protected. We believe these are both equally important, which is why you can depend on our mesh for the ultimate in performance and durability.

Everything You Need To Know About Solar Panels And Birds

5 Things To Know About Birds & Solar Panels

Solar panels are an excellent way to cut down on using natural gases, while still providing the energy your home needs to sustain you and your family. Not only are you helping out the planet, but youre also helping yourself by gaining energy independence in a clean and sustainable way.

But what about the critters and birds that may try to get under your panels? Many of us know that birds and other small animals enjoy nesting in our gutters, under our panels, and anywhere else that keeps them safe from the elements. But what should we do about it?

Here well discuss solar panels, birds, how birds may affect your solar panels, and what you can do to preserve their lives as well as your solar panels.

Recommended Reading: How Many Batteries For 2kw Solar System

Keeping Your Garden Clean

Its good practice to keep your entire property clean. Not only will this increase the quality of your time spent outdoors, but it will also trouble those flying pests since you have essentially cut off their food supply. Also if you like to feed the birds, consider bird feeders that are pigeon proof. After a while, they will go find another supply of food and they may settle somewhere else.

What Happens If My Solar Panels Stop Working

When birds and pigeons are left to nest under solar panels, they can easily dislodge wiring and this could stop the entire system from working. With an extended stay under the panels, there is potential for damage and even dangerous fires. You need to call in some professionals who can remove the birds nest and inspect the condition of your solar panels.

You May Like: Is Free Solar A Scam

What You Can Do

There are also things you can do to make your property less appealing to pigeons and other pests:

  • Making sure your garden is clean with no food scraps
  • Store rubbish bags in secure bins with lids
  • Clean up any pet food or bird droppings
  • Keep gardens as leaf and twig free as possible or the pigeons will use it for their nests

Protect Your Investment With The Best Bird Deterrents For Your Roof Solar Panels

Pigeons Nesting Under Solar Panels North Lanarkshire ...

The solar panels on your roof are critical for making sure that you can live in a green energy-efficient home, but they also make an excellent bird habitat.

Birds will nest under the panels and create a mess of droppings or leave claw marks on the glass which will reduce the efficiency of your system.

There are several ways to keep pest birds away from your solar panel array, so lets take a look at some of them!

Recommended Reading: Is It Better To Lease Or Buy Solar

Can Birds Damage Solar Panels

Solar panel systems typically have space between the panels and the roof to allow room for wiring and ventilation. Many small animals will nest or seek shelter and safety under solar panels to avoid wind, rain, and hot temperatures thanks to the shading provided by panels.

In addition to building nests under solar panels, birds also often leave bird droppings, broken eggs, and dead chicks underneath. If these continue to collect under your panels, it reduces the airflow needed to prevent your solar panels from overheating.

The bird mess may also flow into your gutters and down the side of your house, causing blockages and an unpleasant sight and smell. A significant infestation can block your gutters and damage your roof within a week if you dont monitor it carefully.

Bird droppings dont only happen under your panels, but they can collect on top of them as well. Its best to clean this off as soon as possible. If you dont, they can hinder the effectiveness of your panels, and it may be hard to remove once the droppings harden from heat.

Challenges With Squirrel Nests

While many homeowners believe that squirrels are cute animals that are nice to have around, there are some unique challenges that a squirrel nest under your solar panels can bring. These are damage to your wires and a fire hazard.

Squirrels love to gnaw at various items with their teeth. This is just what they instinctively do even without any food reward on the other side.

Squirrels also need to keep their teeth in good condition, and this gnawing action allows them to do just that. The gnawing action allows these animals to control how long their teeth are. It also keeps them sharp.

You May Like: How To Use Solar Energy At Home

Damage Your Solar Panels

Pigeons can cause damage to both the exterior and interior components of your solar panels, ultimately damaging your Solar investment. Pigeon droppings contains high levels of acidity, which can cause erosion to wires, and even damage the surface of your solar panels. Birds can also bite through the wires, and scratch the surface of your solar panels causing your system to loose its ability to generate power.

Sounds worrying doesnt it? That is why it is best practice to pigeon proof your solar panels before the problem arises.

What If I Already Have Solar Panels Installed Can I Install Critter Guards Myself

How To Stop Pigeons Nesting Under Solar Panels [Pro Tips] Ask An Expert – Bird B Gone

has critter guards for sale and there are plenty of videos on YouTube that show how to DIY the install. However, attempting to install critter guards yourself can be physically dangerous, as well as dangerous to your existing system rooftop solar setups can be complicated, and pulling a wire or shifting a panel by accident can compromise your entire system. Its always best to let professional installers add critter guards for you. Calling the company that originally installed your system is the best and safest course of action. It allows for any workmanship warranties to still be intact and alleviates you from any liability should something go wrong.

Recommended Reading: How To Figure Solar System Size

Fixes For Pigeons Under Your Solar Panels

Its natural, I get it but it can wreak havoc on your solar panels. While a passing bird or two wont damage your PV system in the long-run, pigeons nesting under solar panels can and will.

Because of this, its essential to keep birds out of your home solar system housing.

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.

After all, solar panels create a nice shady spot thats protected from the elements and offers convenient rafters and backings for birds to build their nests in.

If youre experiencing problems with birds nesting in your solar panels, or you want to prevent it from happening down the road, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Set Up Mesh And Spikes

The most effective way to stop pigeons getting under your solar panels is literally just to block their way in. You cant get rid of the gap between the panels and the roof, but you can barricade the sides.

Many pest control companies in the UK will fit the edges of your solar panels with a galvanised steel mesh, designed to halt even the hardiest of feathered homewreckers. The mesh is fitted securely using a variety of clamps, ties, and wires, until the space beneath your solar panels is virtually impenetrable.

Some homeowners even combine mesh with spikes, which might be necessary if you live near a particularly ambitious bunch of birds.

Recommended Reading: Is Solar Worth It In Southern California

Why Stop Pigeons Nesting On Your Roof

Pigeons nesting under your solar Panels can become a big nuisance and hazardous to the health of the household. Its something you certainly dont want to ignore for various reasons.

The biggest problem that pigeons cause is their constant pooping. This, besides looking disgusting, can damage your solar panels surface over time and not only that, if you are wondering is bird poop toxic for humans? the answer sadly is YES. Bird poop, in fact, can carry germs and microorganisms that are responsible for over 60 human and animal diseases such as salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and fungus infections to name a few!! The problem becomes even more bothersome at urban and suburban areas where contamination of soil and other surfaces is prevalent.

And as if this wasnt enough, pigeons themselves are noisier compared to other birds, especially when they are moving across the roof.

You may wonder at this point, why are birds attracted to solar panels? The answer is that solar panels create a shady and safe spot for the birds to nest under and be protected from the elements. They also like the residual heat emitted by solar panels during the colder winter season.

In all honesty, its hard to get rid of pigeons under solar panels once and for all. However, you can do a few things to make your solar panels less appealing to pigeons and give protection from damage caused by birds nests and droppings. Here is how:

Birds Nesting Under Solar Panels

Pigeons Under Solar Panels ðï¸? UK Solar Panel Bird Proofing ...

Theres nothing more relaxing than the sound of birdsong when you are out for a stroll in the countryside. But its quite the opposite when youve woken up to a dawn chorus coming from your rooftop even less so when the sound emanates from under your newly installed solar panels and birds nesting under solar panels.

The number of homes powered by solar power energy has rocketed in the UK and almost doubled in 2014 alone, thanks to a government-backed energy saving funding scheme. The scheme means qualifying homeowners can generate free solar energy without paying for their solar panels in advance.

.but like all great schemes, there is a downside.

The increase in solar power in Essex and Suffolk has gone hand in hand with the rise in pigeons nesting under solar panels, much to the frustration of property owners. However, there are several ways professional bird pest control companies such as Essex & Suffolk Pest Solutions can tackle the problem of birds nesting under solar panels with solar panel pigeon removal and bird proofing solar panels.

Don’t Miss: How Can I Get Solar Panels For Free

Popular Articles
Related news