How to protect your solar panels against birds, falling trees, and other hazards?

You have just made a sizable investment in installing solar panels for your home or office in the hopes that these provide better returns than fixed deposits and empower you to lead a greener lifestyle. That’s wonderful.

But what if the unpredictable natural elements outside cause damage to your precious solar panels? Your returns would diminish, and the payback period would increase.

That is why it is vital to protect your solar panels against birds, falling trees, and other hazards out there.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the ways you can safeguard your solar panels.

Use bird spikes

One way to protect your solar panels is by using bird spikes. Bird spikes are metal or plastic points that are installed on the surface of buildings or structures to prevent birds from landing or perching.
Spikes are a physical barrier that will not only keep birds away but also prevent them from causing any damage to your solar panels. They are an effective solution for keeping birds away from solar panels, as well as windows, signs, chimneys, and other areas where they might cause damage.

You can find bird spikes at most hardware stores or online.

Cover your solar panels with mesh

Another way to keep birds away from your solar panels is to cover them with a mesh that is installed on the panel’s frame. This will create a physical barrier that will make it difficult for birds to land on or perch on your solar panels.

The mesh will also prevent small animals and insects from getting into the solar panel and causing damage.

Install guards on your solar panels

While small twigs and branches will not affect your solar panels much, falling trees and large branches are serious hazards that can cause extensive damage. So, suppose you live in an area where falling trees are common. In that case, you should consider installing guards on your solar panels.

The guards will help to redirect or deflect the impact of falling trees and branches and prevent them from causing any damage to your solar panels.

These guards can be made of metal or plastic and will protect your solar panels from being hit by falling tree branches. They can be easily installed on the solar panel’s frame and will not interfere with its functioning.

Install your panels on steep slopes

Depending on where you live and how much sunlight your area receives, you could consider installing your solar panels on steep slopes. This will make it difficult for animals and birds to access your solar panels and cause damage.

If small twigs or tree branches fall on your panels accidentally, the steep slope will help move them away and push them down to the ground.

Note that there are other considerations for positioning your solar panels. Ideally, you would want to position them such that they attract the most significant amount of sunlight.

It is important to note that installing solar panels on steep slopes can be tricky and should only be attempted by experienced professionals.

Install bird scaring devices

If you want to prevent birds from roosting or nesting on your solar panels, then you can install bird scaring devices. These devices make use of sound, light, or movement to scare birds away.

There are a variety of bird scaring devices available on the market, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Some bird scaring devices make use of ultrasonic sound waves to deter birds. These devices emit high-pitched sound waves that cannot be heard by humans but are very effective at deterring birds.

Other birds scaring devices make use of flashing lights or reflective surfaces to scare birds away. These devices can be solar-powered or battery-operated and can be easily installed on the frame of the solar panel.

Still, other bird-scaring devices make use of movement to scare birds away. These devices can be wind-powered or battery-operated, and easily installed on the solar panel’s frame.

Clearing any blockades or direct fall risks

If there are any trees near your solar panels that could fall and damage your panels, then you should remove them. You should also clear away any debris, such as leaves and branches, that could fall on your panels and damage them.

We would not advise you to cut off trees. Instead, just trim them slightly so your panels are out of danger. If that is not possible, do not worry. At Fenice Energy, we have the experience of installing solar panels in tricky places.

You should also take steps to protect your solar panels from fire hazards. This can be done by clearing any flammable materials around your panels, such as dead leaves and branches, around your panels. You can also install a fire sprinkler system near your panels to help extinguish any fires that may occur.

Conclusion

There are a variety of ways that you can protect your solar panels from birds, falling trees, and other hazards. By taking the time to properly install and maintain your solar panels, you can help ensure that they will continue to generate electricity for years to come.
If you have any questions about protecting your solar panels, or if you need help installing them, then please contact Fenice Energy. We would be more than happy to assist you.