Dutch company BirdBlocker has developed a plastic strip that can be placed under solar panels installed on sloping roofs. Long needles prevent birds from nesting under the modules. The structure is attached to the frame of the modules using clips made of stainless steel.
The BirdBlocker has a high-density polyethylene band with long, interlocking needles. “Luika has needles that are flush with the roof, making it impossible for birds to get under the solar panel,” said Hans de Grooth, founder of BirdBlocker. pv magazine. “There is a bridge between the needles so that the birds cannot pass between the needles.”
The solution is available in a standard version for pitched roofs, as well as another version with ultra-long needles for solar panels installed further away from pitched roofs. The dimensions of the needles of the standard version are 125 mm and the needles of the longer version are 200 mm.
The solution attaches to the modules’ frames with stainless steel clips that the birds claim can’t be removed. BirdBlocker claims the mounts are adaptable to 98 percent of standard solar panels. It also provides a special holder for modules with box-like frames.
The company claims that BirdBlocker is “very easy and quick to install.” The product can be installed without removing the solar panels and the needles can be cut to the appropriate length for each roof. Installation requires no screws or drilling into the panels, so it does not affect the panels’ warranty, according to BirdBlocker.
The manufacturer recommends using its solution for new roof installations. Retrofitting is also possible, but their installation costs are higher.
