Anyone who builds photovoltaic systems is doing something for the environment. But they also want to make a profit without any hassle. Birds and other animals are a problem. They contaminate and damage modules, cables and other technology and can cause yield losses, defects, failures and even fires. But there is effective protection against unwelcome visitors.
 

The problem with pigeons

Many of our private customers don't mind if a pair of pigeons occasionally breed in their home. The problem is that this pair swells into a large family within a short space of time. In addition to the dangers for the PV system, there are also personal nuisances: Cooing, wing noise, pitter-patter - at any time of day - as well as unpleasant odors and clogged window sills, terraces and balconies are just as annoying as clogged gutters.

Marten bites and rat droppings

Martens, as well as animals such as raccoons, rats or other rodents and various birds, have a serious potential for causing damage to solar roofs. They can nibble on or even bite through cables (because many animals are now fond of the necessary plasticizers in the insulation), nest under the PV modules and thus cause a lot of trouble.

Contamination from nesting material or the nests themselves, droppings and other droppings such as eggs or carcasses can not only significantly reduce the performance of rooftop modules, but also pose significant safety risks.

What can happen

Hotspots

Shading can cause hotspots that permanently damage modules due to overheating.

Corrosion

The droppings of many animals are corrosive and can attack the glass and frames of solar modules.

Ventilation blockage

Carcasses, nests and other debris under the panels prevent air circulation. This results in poorer efficiency and a shorter service life due to overheating.

Cable damage

Damaged cables cause short circuits, partial and total failures.

Fire hazard

Dry nesting material made of leaves, twigs etc. can quickly catch fire if overheated or short-circuited.

Vermin

Bird nests magically attract mites, lice, fleas and other parasites that you don't want to have around.

Cleaning residues

Animal droppings are difficult to get rid of. Residue reduces performance and smells unpleasant.

High maintenance costs

If you have a lot of visitors from animals, you will have to have your system cleaned and repair damage more often.
How you can defend yourself

How you can defend yourself

Fortunately, nobody has to put up with animal infestation on their rooftop solar installation. Although you sometimes see “home-made” solutions such as pigeon repellent spikes that are not intended for their intended purpose, this is not a professional solution. But protecting an expensive photovoltaic system and its function, performance and service life is crucial.

With the MTI animal repellent fence, the solar roof remains pest-free: a flexibly adaptable but robust wire mesh 20 cm wide can be cut to size as required and attached to the modules with special fastening hooks and tensioning plates. Very simple, inconspicuously black and rear-ventilated.