Are there bird nests under your solar panels? This can significantly reduce their efficiency, something no customer wants, as everyone seeks optimal performance from their panels. You can easily prevent this issue by installing Solar Bird Protection on the sides. This will keep birds and mice from nesting underneath, and it also reduces potential fire hazards
When you visit a new housing estate with numerous solar panels installed, both in-roof and on-roof systems, it’s surprising to see that Solar Bird Screens are often overlooked in the on-roof setups. This oversight allows birds and mice to easily nest beneath the panels. As an installer, including bird screens in your sales pitch is straightforward. Once customers understand the potential problems these screens can prevent—and importantly, how they help maintain the efficiency of their panels—they're usually convinced.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly how much energy loss occurs due to bird nests under solar panels, as it depends on the number of nests. We've seen situations where nests stretch across the entire width of the roof. The general rule is that proper ventilation under the panels is crucial to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance. With a small additional investment, your customer can avoid these issues entirely.
This means you won't need to remove all the solar panels later on just to clear out nests—an effort that can be far more costly!
The best approach is to install the Solar Bird Screen right from the start when setting up the panels. However, if you, as an installer, find a system without this protection, it’s important to advise the customer to add it. The bird screen is specifically designed for on-roof systems, where panels are elevated and more susceptible to birds and other animals nesting underneath. In contrast, in-roof systems have panels that sit lower in the roof, making it difficult for animals to access them.
The Solar Bird Shredder is easy to install—a hallmark of Ubbink products, which are designed with the installer in mind. The screens come in one-meter lengths, and we offer a pre-made 90-degree solution for external corners, so there’s no need to cut corners manually. We’ve also introduced new clamps that are much easier to attach than previous models. These clamps work like zip ties and can be secured around almost any panel model.
Finally, it's crucial to use the right size bird screen. The Solar Bird Screen comes in different heights (120 mm and 150 mm) to accommodate various roof tiles. For example, a flat roof tile will require a shorter screen than a profiled roof tile. Always ensure the screen fully seals the gap; otherwise, birds or mice could still get underneath, leading to the very problems you’re trying to prevent!