Bird Proofing Solar Panels: Less poop means more power

Bird Proofing Solar Panels: Less poop means more power
May 21, 2018 Cure All Pest Control

Did you know that bird poop on your solar panels can result in much less efficient energy harvesting? If you stop to think about it, it makes sense. Just like leaf build-up, bird poo can cover areas of your solar panels and shield them from sunlight.

Do you live in an area with high bird activity? Perhaps near the coast where there are plenty of seagulls, or in a lovely, sheltered part of the city where the pigeons like to seek cover? Chances are, if you take a peek at the solar panels on your roof, you’re going to find bird droppings there. And if you live in Brisbane, where long, dry periods are standard, it could really be caked onto those panels, hindering your home’s ability to retrieve and store solar energy.

So what can you do about it? It’s time to call in professional and local bird control experts to bird proof your roof.

Are birds nesting under your solar panels?

Many homes in Queensland have roofs that house full solar systems in order to optimise energy efficiency. These solar panels are often floating, meaning that they are angled to best catch the sun’s rays. This, however, leaves space between the underside of the panels and the roof that makes a perfect shelter for birds to nest in. If you notice birds nesting under your solar panels, you’re going to be contending with more problems than just a build up of poop. Birds can damage the wires leading to your panels, and the uric acid in their droppings can corrode the paint on your metal roof.

Bird proofing your solar panels

The best way to prevent birds from making nests under your solar panels is to call in a professional pest controller to install a bird exclusion system. With floating solar panels, the most effective exclusion system is often bird spikes or a sturdy metal mesh. This will prevent birds from making a home on your roof, and deter them from hanging around your solar panels. With obstruction-free solar panels, you can get back to saving more money on your energy bills!

How to remove bird droppings from your solar panels

Once a bird exclusion system has been installed around your solar panels, you’ll want to remove the existing build-up of bird poop for a fresh start. It’s important not to use anything too abrasive on your solar panels, as this can scratch the surface and interfere with the collection of sunlight. The best course of action is to simply use water from a garden hose, and try not to scrub. Give them a good spray down, wait ten minutes or so for the water to break up the dried bird poop, and then spray again to get rid of it entirely. And remember to always exercise caution when using a ladder to reach your roof – safety first!

Cure All Pest Control are experienced in installing a wide variety of residential bird exclusion systems around Brisbane, are are also experts in commercial bird exclusion solutions. Contact us today to arrange a pest control inspection so that we can find the best solution to your bird infestation woes!