Problem with solar panels

PabloF

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently noticed that birds have started nesting under my solar panels. I’ve heard this can affect the performance and energy output of the system, but I’m not sure to what extent.

I came across a product which helps against birds nesting under solar panels, which seems like a good solution, but I’m still unsure if it’s really necessary or just overkill. Does anyone have experience with birds impacting their solar production? And has anyone installed BirdBlocker or a similar system?

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences before I decide whether to go ahead with it.

Thanks in advance!

nologo

I have to ask then " What's the product?".  many on here recommend bird mesh, skirts or various other blockers, skirts tend to look "better" but may reduce efficiency because they may increase the temp of the panels, I have bird mesh on one set & nothing on the other set, no birds yet.

Petriix

I've had a couple of pigeons scrabbling around and making their pigeon noises under my panels. I've waggled a tent pole under there and banged a nearby window to deter them with reasonable success. I decided not to bother fitting any barrier.

gefnew

Bird proofing a solar array — MoneySavingExpert Forum

The_Green_Hornet

A long thread on this subject can be found here --> Pigeons nesting under my panels — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Ectophile

If nothing else. the birds will rapidly clog your gutters with twigs, feathers, bird poo and even bits of dead bird.

If you can fit bird guards around the panels, do.

QrizB

The birds are usually feral pigeons, and the problem is largely confined to urban and suburban areas.

Feral pigeons are "rock doves", not native to the UK but introduced by the Romans. In nature they live on cliffs and they've adapted quite well to life on buildings instead.

In the countryside you generally get wood pigeons, which much prefer to nest in trees and seem disinclined to colonise solar panels.

Netexporter

I put netting on mine to keep the Red Kites out.

QrizB

Netexporter said:

I put netting on mine to keep the Red Kites out.

Did you get red kites trying to nest beforehand, or is this akin to the "anti dragon powder" joke?

Netexporter

They're the most common bird round here. Well, the most visibly and audibly common. Not really surprising as this is where the last native pair lived and where the countrywide reintroduction started. Sometimes to there too many to count, wheeling around the house. Probably a good pigeon deterrent in itself.

MWT

Netexporter said:

I put netting on mine to keep the Red Kites out.

I'd have a word with your installer about how high they mounted the panels above the roof

We have Red Kites nesting in the trees at the bottom of our garden, beautiful birds, and great to see them up close as they make their landing approaches, but fortunately zero interest in our panels.

... and the Wood Pigeons are too fat to even try