How to Maintain Solar Panels vs. Nature (Birds, Bugs, and Dust)?
The Solar system is a reliable investment, however, installing solar panels isn’t exactly maintenance-free once they’re up in the air. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on them after installation and to follow some simple maintenance guidelines to make sure you get the most out of them for years to come. We’ll cover a few maintenance tips below to help you maintain solar panels vs nature (birds, bugs, and dust).
The Influence of Birds, Nests, and Dirt on Solar Array
Whenever you install solar panels on your home or business, it is important to take into account how birds, nests, and bugs will affect your solar array. The presence of these natural elements can cause damage to your solar panel and reduce its ability to generate electricity.
Low Performance:
The presence of bird droppings, dust, nests, or insects can cause a buildup of heat which will reduce energy production from your solar array. If you notice an increase in temperature on your panels, it is likely that birds are perching on them. In addition to producing more heat, birds also excrete that can coat your panels and prevent sunlight from reaching them.
Bird debris/droppings are prone to Fire:
Bird droppings contain phosphorus which is a highly flammable chemical that is known to catch fire easily once it builds up on your solar panels. Egg-laying spots within a nest are also susceptible to fire ignition which can put your electrical equipment at risk of hazardous incidents and may even blow up household energy source.
How to Protect Solar Panels from Nature Elements?
a) Maintain Proper Cleanliness under Wiring Mesh
Keeping your solar panels clean should be part of your overall solar panel maintenance routine. So it’s important not to let them get covered in dirt or dust that could impede their performance. Maintaining cleanliness will protect your PV panels from bugs, birds, and other pests that may want to build a nest underneath. These nature-based threats can cause permanent damage if left unchecked.
b) Use an acoustic bird repellent system
This modern and cost-effective invention keeps birds away from solar panels without hurting them or leaving a mess. It also reduces maintenance costs since you don’t have to clean your panels as often when they’re covered in bird droppings. You can buy an acoustic bird repellent system online or at a local hardware store that contains digital recordings of predator calls that scare away unwanted birds.
c) Install bird control spikes:
Bird spikes make your solar panels less appealing for birds to land on, reducing how often you have to clean them. You can install bird control spikes yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. This is a highly effective permanent solution to pest bird infestation which keeps birds and pigeons away from your solar panels. A number of people claim that these spikes work very well at keeping away smaller birds like sparrows, starlings, and robins.
Preventing Dust accumulation on PV Panels
To prevent dust accumulation on PV panels, it is recommended that they are occasionally hosed down using a soft water spray. This will remove any accumulated dirt and grime which can build up over time.
a) Self-Cleaning:
You can either use a long pole with a brush attachment or you can use an extension ladder and manually wash each solar panel individually. If you choose to use an extension ladder, be sure to wear gloves as well as eye protection for safety purposes.
b) Professional Cleaning Services:
It is recommended that you have your solar panels professionally cleaned every 6-12 months by a qualified PV panel cleaning company. This will ensure that your solar panels are kept in good working order for years to come. In the United States, the cost of having your solar panels professionally cleaned is far less than buying new ones when they become too dirty to operate efficiently.
