Solar panels have become an increasingly popular way for homes and businesses to utilize renewable energy. By installing photovoltaic panel systems, owners can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and shrink their carbon footprint. However, our feathered friends pose a surprising challenge to solar power efficiency. Birds love to perch and nest on the elevated structures of solar arrays. And their droppings can cause numerous issues for panel performance and longevity.
How Bird Waste Reduces Solar Efficiency
Bird droppings pose a major challenge for solar panel efficiency. Birds of all types from pigeons to seagulls are drawn to the warmth of solar arrays and see the panels as ideal perching spots. However, their droppings can greatly diminish the panels’ ability to absorb sunlight.
The main issue is that bird feces are opaque and block sunlight from reaching the photovoltaic cells. Droppings cast tiny shadows on the panels, reducing the surface area exposed to the sun’s rays. Some studies have found soiling from bird mess can decrease solar efficiency by up to 40% if allowed to accumulate. The droppings also refract light at inconsistent angles, creating energy generation inconsistencies across the panels.
In addition to blocking sunlight, bird waste is notoriously stubborn to remove. As droppings bake in the sun, they harden and adhere tightly to panel surfaces. Trying to wash off or scrape away the solidified mess risks scratching or damaging the panels. Any residue left behind creates a hazy film that further cuts down on light absorption.
Bird deterrents like wire screens, spike strips, falcon kites and ultrasonic devices can minimize waste buildup. However, seasonal migrations and changing flight patterns make completely blocking birds difficult. Thus, solar array owners must perform regular inspections and waste removal maintenance to prevent major efficiency drops from bird fouling. Building bird perches nearby is one solution that keeps panels cleaner by drawing birds away from the panels.
In the end, vigilance is required to keep solar arrays clear of bird droppings. Allowing waste to accumulate will lower the panels’ power output, resulting in more expensive electricity bills over time. Staying on top of the problem through proactive deterrents, frequent cleaning and maintenance helps maximize solar efficiency.
Not All Birds Are Equally Problematic
Not all birds are equal when it comes to the solar efficiency troubles their waste creates. The most problematic bird species for solar arrays are typically pigeons. Pigeon droppings tend to be highly acidic and damaging due to the birds’ nutritional habits. Just a few regular visits from a local flock can leave panels coated in a corroded mess.
Seagulls are another major nuisance, especially for seaside solar installations. They tend to frequent the same spots in large, noisy groups and leave copious amounts of runny, fishy-smelling waste behind. Seagull droppings are very difficult to fully clean off panels.
Smaller birds like sparrows, starlings and swallows can also gradually take a toll over time. While their individual droppings are small, these birds tend to gather in flocks and make repeated trips en masse to their favorite perching spots on solar arrays. The combined result over weeks or months is a flaky coating of waste that increasingly blocks sunlight.
Beyond just their droppings, birds also compromise solar efficiency when they construct nests on top of panels. Materials like twigs, mud and clumps of grass can fully obstruct sunlight from reaching certain sections of the array. Birds also have a tendency to return to the same solar panels repeatedly once they get comfortable, magnifying the waste and nesting issues.
So in summary, not all avian species bother solar installations equally. But their habits mean preventing any type of bird from colonizing the array is key for maintaining peak sunlight exposure and energy production. Otherwise the efficiency drains can stack up quickly, especially during seasons of heavy migration or nesting.
Stopping Solar Damage Before It Starts
When it comes to minimizing solar efficiency losses from bird waste, the best strategy is prevention. Stopping droppings and nesting material buildup before it starts is key. The most important step is scheduling professional cleanings at least four times per year to keep panels pristine.
For solar arrays in areas with heavy bird traffic, quarterly cleanings may not be enough. Monthly maintenance checks and spot cleaning can nip waste accumulation in the bud before it escalates and becomes tougher to remove. Trained solar technicians use specialized equipment and bird dropping-specific detergents to thoroughly clean panels without scratching.
DIY cleaning is not advisable due to the risks of working at heights on rooftops. Only qualified professionals should handle the job. Technicians can also fully access hard to reach spots on large commercial arrays that homeowners typically cannot on their own.
Besides frequent cleaning, installing physical bird deterrents can also discourage solar panels from becoming a bird outhouse. Wire screens over key perching spots, spike strips and moveable falcon decoys create an inhospitable environment. Solar blinders physically block oblique light from attracting birds to panels.
Ultimately, vigilant cleaning and proactive bird deterrent steps are the best way to avoid major solar efficiency drains from bird droppings. An ounce of prevention in solar panel maintenance saves hundreds of dollars in energy generation down the line. Staying on top of the problem is the key to maximizing a solar array’s return on investment.
Professional Solar Panel Cleaning Services
Companies like San Diego Solar Clean offer quarterly cleaning packages designed specifically for photovoltaic systems. Using proper tools and techniques, their technicians can completely remove stubborn bird waste without causing any abrasions or reducing transparency. They frequently check for any signs of damage or wear to identify potential issues early.
In addition to quarterly maintenance cleanings, reputable solar cleaning providers also offer panel treatments that act as effective bird deterrents. Special anti-perching devices can also be installed to restrict access to arrays. Taking these proactive steps minimizes bird presence and keeps panels operating at optimal efficiency between cleanings.
Keep Your Panels Humming
In summary, bird droppings can substantially reduce the efficiency and savings generated by solar panels over time. But with regular professional cleanings, you can keep your system operating at peak performance. Quarterly maintenance visits using specialized tools and techniques will thoroughly remove stuck-on bird waste without damaging panels.
Reputable solar cleaning companies like San Diego Solar Clean offer package deals for periodic expert panel washing. Their technicians carefully clean away all bird mess and inspect for any underlying issues. This prevents efficiency losses from bird fouling between cleanings.
By investing in professional quarterly or monthly solar panel cleaning, you can stop bird droppings from accumulating and eating into your potential energy savings. Keep your panels free of waste buildup and running at maximum production with the help of solar maintenance experts. Don’t let bird mess reduce your system’s output – contact providers like San Diego Solar Clean today to learn about regular cleaning options to maintain optimal solar panel efficiency.
