Jackdaws Under Your Solar Panels? Here's What To Do
As solar panels become more popular, so does the challenge of preventing jackdaws from nesting under them. We see distinctive patterns in animal behavior within specific geographic regions—the conclusion: Jackdaws learn and evolve their behavior as a group.
As a result, many solar panel owners come up against the same questions:
- What can be done about jackdaws nesting under solar panels?
- Are there specific rules for managing these protected birds?
- What are the consequences of nests under solar panels
This article addresses these common questions by offering effective bird proofing solutions, focusing on both protection and compliance.
| Understanding Jackdaws and Their Impact on Solar Panels
Jackdaws are often mistaken for crows due to their similar coloring, but they are smaller and possess unique black-gray feathers. Common in residential areas, jackdaws are intelligent and social birds that frequently nest near people.
For solar panel owners, however, jackdaws pose a significant challenge. The space under solar panels provides ideal shelter for nesting, offering warmth and protection from predators, especially in spring.
Despite their appealing intelligence, jackdaws can create severe nuisances: they bring in large quantities of debris, such as cardboard, branches, and leaves, resulting in noise, mess, and potential damage to your solar system.
We know that a dangerous set of conditions come together with their collections (flammable and increasingly arid), their inquisitive nature, and their aptitude for destructive behavior on cables and connectors to cure their boredom. It is easy to see how this can get out of hand quickly.
| The Importance of Compliance with Protected Bird Guidelines
As a protected species in many parts of Europe, jackdaws cannot be harmed, captured, or disturbed during the nesting season. Removing their nests or deterring them without proper precautions is strictly regulated.
This means that to safeguard both the jackdaws and your solar investment, preventative measures are vital—keeping jackdaws from establishing nests under your panels in the first place is the most effective approach.
Should you be confronted with their presence, investigate your local rules and regulations, remove all debris when allowed, rinse the roof thoroughly, and proceed to protect your solar panels with BirdBlocker®. They will attempt nesting in the same spot the following year.
| Risks to Solar Panels and Property
Allowing jackdaws to nest under solar panels can lead to a range of risks:
- Damage to Cabling and Connectors: Jackdaws are known to pull at and chew on wiring, which may result in costly repairs and increased fire hazards
- Fire Hazards: Jackdaw nests are often made from dry, flammable materials like fabric strips, plastic, and twigs, which increase the risk of fire around electrical systems
- Reduced Efficiency and Higher Costs: Nesting materials can obstruct ventilation under the panels, causing them to overheat, reducing energy efficiency, and accelerating wear and tear on the system
Due to these risks, the European, British and most national standards have provisions that recommend or even mandate bird-proofing as a necessary precaution for all solar installations.
| BirdBlocker: Effective, Long-Lasting Bird Protection for Solar Panels
BirdBlocker offers a proactive solution with its innovative bird-proofing design, preventing access to the spaces under solar panels. BirdBlocker's design incorporates sturdy plastic "fingers" and connecting bridges, forming an effective barrier against jackdaws and other birds.
This design not only blocks entry but also maintains ventilation, which is crucial for panel efficiency. Key benefits include:
- Durability in Extreme Conditions: BirdBlocker products are fully UV and frost-resistant, ensuring they withstand high temperatures, solar exposure, and freezing conditions without deterioration.
- Long-Lasting Warranty: BirdBlocker comes with a 10-year product warranty, guaranteeing that your panels will remain protected and in optimal working order.
- Unrivaled Efficiency: Proper installation is vital for optimal performance. The video instruction BirdBlocker offers is extensive and warrants that each unit can be correctly mounted, preserving both the efficacy of the bird-proofing and the warranty on your solar panels.
| Why Bird-Proofing Benefits Jackdaws and Solar Efficiency
Preventing jackdaws from nesting under solar panels is(n't) just a matter of protecting your investment; it's also a humane approach that safeguards these birds' well-being.
With summer temperatures under panels often exceeding 70 degrees Celsius, chicks and eggs are at high risk. Proper bird protection solutions like BirdBlocker help encourage jackdaws to nest in safer, more natural habitats, supporting both animal welfare and solar system efficiency.
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| The Responsible Way Forward: Protect Your Solar Investment with BirdBlocker
By installing BirdBlocker, solar panel owners can prevent costly damages, improve system safety, and contribute to conserving protected bird species like the jackdaw.
With its robust construction and expert installation guides, BirdBlocker is a long-term investment in your solar energy system's safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
