Solar power is increasingly popular among homeowners and so many are investing in the installation of solar panels so that their energy costs can be reduced. When it comes to the installation of solar panels, one factor that can be overlooked is the effect of birds on the panel. This is an important part of solar panel maintenance.

Birds will nest under and around the solar panels which can create a lot of dirt and debris

There can be nesting materials, bird droppings, feathers etc. Bird droppings are actually acidic and this can corrode the protective coatings on the solar panels with time. This will compromise the integrity of the solar panels and you will notice a reduction in efficiency. This can lead to very expensive repairs as well. While you may think that it is harmless to allow birds to nest near the solar panels, there is a lot of potential damage that can be caused as a result.

This will affect the performance of the solar panels and durability. There are companies that offer bird proofing Werribee so that you can protect your investment. The birds can also create shade so that sunlight is blocked from reaching the PV cells. This can reduce the efficiency of your panels. The solar panels will produce less electricity if they are subjected to shading. The panels can be further obstructed as a result of nests, droppings and feathers. You can prevent this obstruction by bird proofing the panels and this can help maximise performance.

The integrity of the panels can be compromised due to bird related damage

This will shorten the lifespan of the solar panels even though these are considered to be a long term investment. The nesting birds can scratch the surface of the panels and damage it, peck at the wiring or cause critical components to become dislodged. This will lead to the panels wearing out prematurely. The structural integrity of the panels can be preserved when you bird proof them and you can make sure that these can generate clean energy for the entirety of their lifespan. It can take a lot of time and effort to clean bird droppings and other related debris from the solar panels. This can be quite costly as well if you are hiring a cleaning company for this.

In addition to affecting the aesthetics of your solar array

Bird related debris will cause a drop in solar panel performance. You will be able to reduce the maintenance requirements when bird proofing is carried out. There are health and safety concerns related to birds nesting around the solar panels as well. Bird droppings can have harmful parasites, bacteria etc. and these can pose a health risk to your family and pets. When droppings are accumulated, this can lead to slippery surfaces. And as solar installations are typically done on the roof when it comes to residential projects, this can increase the risk of accidents such as falls when you go to maintain the panels.