Solar panels are a great investment. Not only can they save you money on your utility bills, but they are also a great way to get green, renewable energy. However, they cannot provide those benefits if they are not working right. Pigeons and other birds can actually do a bunch of damage to your solar panels. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to protect your solar panels from pigeons.
Nesting
Solar panels provide a good nesting place for pigeons. They provide shade in high locations, making them a great roost. Pigeon nests are not the problem. The nests do not damage the panels. However, nesting means the pigeons hang around.
Pigeon Poop
Pigeon poop is the real problem. Pigeon poop can block the panels, decreasing the amount of sunshine that gets to the panels. However, even worse than that, pigeon poop is acidic. That acid can damage the panels. It can also damage your roof and cause leaks.
Discouraging Nesting
The first step is to discourage pigeons from nesting on your roof. We can use a combination of different methods to help discourage pigeons from nesting on your roof. They include nets, mesh, and spikes.
Removing Existing Pigeons
While you can discourage pigeons from choosing your home, once they have selected it as a place to live, it can be hard to get rid of them. No worries! We can remove pigeons by baiting or trapping. Once we get rid of your existing pigeons, our exclusion methods can help keep others from coming back.
Bird Mesh
Bird mesh or netting protects the top of your panels and keeps pigeons from being able to get under the panels to nest. Mesh is a relatively inexpensive option and it provides a surprisingly effective layer of protection. However, it does need to be maintained. Flick provides maintenance services in addition to installation. You may also need to replace bird mesh periodically.
Spikes
Spikes are not great at keeping pigeons away on their own. They are also unattractive, which means many people do not want to use them in visible locations or widespread areas. However, they can discourage nesting because they are uncomfortable. You can use them in combination with other methods to provide more thorough coverage. When combined with other methods, they contribute to a thorough pigeon prevention program.
Ready to find out more? Contact Flick. We can assess your building and design a pigeon prevention program that can keep your solar panels safe.
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