Author: Solar Bear

5 Tips to Keep Pigeons Away From Your Solar Panels

Pigeons are just like any other living animal—they make waste. While this isn’t a big deal for the average homeowner, it’s a major concern for homeowners who’ve made the wise decision to invest in a solar energy system. While a few passing birds won’t damage your solar panels in the long run, pigeons nesting beneath them will. 

Keeping birds away from your home’s solar energy system—and ensuring they make their nests elsewhere—can be challenging. After all, the solar panels are a welcome spot for pigeons to nest, keeping them protected from the elements. Luckily, there are some simple ways to pigeon-proof your solar energy system. Read on to learn all about our top five tips for keeping pigeons away from your solar panels.

1. Invest in Bird Mesh

Bird mesh is an affordable and effective way to bird-proof your solar energy system. The mesh is easy to install and clips directly to the panels, running along the edges of your entire setup to seal the area below the panels. 

Bird mesh allows air to continue to move below the solar panels while making it nearly impossible for birds to nest there. An even cheaper option—bird netting—can also deter birds from building nests below solar panels, but it’s less resistant to the elements than the mesh.

2. Install Roof Spikes

While roof spikes aren’t the most attractive things you can add to your home, they work well when it comes to keeping birds away from your solar panels. Spikes make it harder for birds to roost on your roof, and they can even be paired with bird mesh to provide the ultimate protection from nesting pigeons and other birds.

3. Add a Plastic Predator

Even though plastic birds, like owls, may seem dated, they’re an excellent deterrent for keeping pigeons away from your solar panels. Some even have heads that swivel in the breeze, moving convincingly and regularly so that birds stay away. 

4. Maintain Your Yard

Birds need a stable food source, and they’ll happily snack on items in your yard and garden. You can make the area around your home less hospitable to birds by keeping your garden clean and ensuring there are no potential food sources around your home. 

5. Maintain Your Solar Energy System

Keeping your solar panels in excellent working condition can also prevent birds from nesting below them. Cleaning your panels regularly, repairing cracks, addressing mounting issues, and having them professionally serviced ensures their long-term function and the best return on your investment. 

Pigeon-Proof Your Solar Energy System Today

If you want your solar system to last as long as possible, you need to prevent pigeons and other birds from nesting—and leaving piles of droppings behind. By trying the steps listed above, you can make your solar panels a less-hospitable place for birds and keep them in excellent working order. Need help pigeon-proofing your solar system? Reach out to the solar experts at Solar Bear Tampa today at (727) 471-7442 to learn more!

4 Reasons People Regret Waiting to Switch to Solar

Switching to solar power is becoming more popular every day, and with good reason. Solar energy has numerous benefits, from reducing your carbon footprint to saving you money in the long run. But many people are hesitant to switch and may regret their decision if they wait too long.

Our solar power pros at Solar Bear Orlando explore some of the reasons why you don’t want to put off switching to solar power any longer.

Energy from the Sun: Reason Enough to Make the Switch?

Switching to solar power has been a hot topic in recent years. Many people have started to realize the numerous benefits of solar energy, not just for the environment but also for their wallets. Despite this, some people still hesitate to switch to solar power and end up regretting it later.

Waiting to switch to solar brings up regret for many reasons, including:

• #1. Missing out on Savings: With rising electricity costs, homeowners who invest in solar panels can save a substantial amount of money over time. Waiting too long means missing out on those savings and paying more than necessary for their energy bills.

• #2. Advances in Technology: Solar technology continues to advance rapidly, which means that newer and better systems are constantly becoming available. By waiting too long, homeowners may miss out on these advancements and upgrades that could have made their system more efficient or effective.

• #3. Government Incentives & Tax Credits: People often regret waiting because they miss out on government incentives and tax credits for switching to solar. Many states offer rebates and other financial incentives for homeowners who install solar panels before certain deadlines.

• We Live in the Sunshine State: Why rely on local utility companies with ever-increasing costs and potential blackouts? We don’t have time for that! With solar power, you can harness Florida’s ample sunshine to power your home during the day, at night, and even in inclement weather like a hurricane!

Is Solar Power Right for You?

Are you considering solar power for your Orlando, Florida home but not sure if it’s the right choice? Don’t worry! Solar power is a great investment for homeowners in Orlando. It not only lessens your carbon footprint, but it also ends up saving you money over time.

One of the main benefits of solar power is its cost-effectiveness. Solar panels generate electricity that can be used to power your home, which means you don’t have to rely on expensive utility companies. Looking at you, Florida Power & Light! Additionally, solar energy is renewable and free once you invest in the initial installation cost. This means that over time, your savings will offset any upfront expenses.

Another benefit of solar power is its durability and reliability. Unlike traditional energy sources like coal or natural gas, sunlight is available every day (even on cloudy days).

Plus, using renewable energy reduces our dependence on non-renewable resources and helps combat climate change. By choosing to go solar in Orlando, you’ll be doing your part to preserve the local ecosystem and protect wildlife habitats. And you’ll have a dependable form of electricity that you can rely on for years to come. Nice!

Feel the Sunshine: Go Solar in Orlando!

There are numerous benefits to making the switch to solar energy in Florida, we live in the Sunshine State after all! Not only does solar power offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to power your home, but you can also take advantage of lucrative tax incentives.

NOW is the perfect time to switch if you haven’t already. Waiting too long may cause you to miss out on some of these great benefits, so why wait?

Get started by calling Solar Bear Orlando for an installation quote today; (727) 471-7442!

3 Tips for Diagnosing a Broken Solar Meter

A typical residential solar energy system consists of many components, all of which are built to last, helping you harness free electricity from the sun. When a component like a solar meter fails, what do you do?

A solar meter is responsible for logging your home’s solar energy system generation in real-time. By referring to historic production data against current data, you can quickly spot anomalies that indicate your system isn’t performing at its best. For most homeowners with a solar energy system, a solar meter is the only line of defense against lost savings. So, what happens if your meter stops working? Here are our tips to help you quickly identify and fix a broken solar meter.

Diagnosing a Broken Solar Meter

Any number of possible causes could lead your solar meter to stop working. While some situations require swapping out your current solar meter with a new one, there’s always a chance the root cause is something you can pinpoint and even troubleshoot yourself. Some of the potential causes—and how to fix them on your own—include:

• Tripped Breaker Switches. Your breaker switches manage electricity flow to your home, and a tripped breaker switch is one of the leading causes of solar meter “failure.” Breaker switches can get tripped due to storms or sudden power surges. If any breaker switches in your electric panel are in the down or “off” position, flick them back on and see if this resolves the issue.

• Lost Wi-Fi Connection. Most modern solar meters require a Wi-Fi connection to report energy collection. You can confirm that your solar meter has a Wi-Fi connection by turning off your router for 30 seconds, turning it back on, waiting for it to reboot, and checking whether your solar meter has a Wi-Fi signal.

• Outdated Meter. Solar meters are generally well-built and don’t need consistent maintenance, but they can become outdated if they’re running on 3G or 4G cellular protocols. Soon, your solar meter will be unable to wirelessly share the information it collects from your panels. Check the original manual your solar meter came with to determine what cellular signal it uses. If it runs on 3G or 4G, investing in a replacement is your best option.

Call Solar Bear of Tampa to Diagnose and Treat a Broken Solar Meter

Without a working solar meter, you won’t be able to tell if something’s wrong with your solar energy system until you’re hit with an expensive utility bill. Rather than leaving things to chance, and paying higher energy bills, call the solar experts at Solar Bear of Tampa to help you diagnose and treat any issue with your solar meter, or any other critical solar energy system components. Call us at (727) 471-7442 today — we’re ready to answer your questions!

How Hot Is Too Hot for Solar Panels?

While photovoltaic solar electric systems have been around for years, there are still some common misconceptions regarding how they function. Most people still assume that solar panels function best in hot climates. In fact, a solar system’s efficiency is less about the temperature and more about the amount of sunlight that the system soaks up each day. But is there a temperature that’s too hot for solar panels to function? Read on to learn about how solar systems work in very high heat, as well as other common extreme weather conditions.

Solar Systems Can Withstand Extreme Heat

Solar panels are built to withstand very high temperatures. In fact, the average solar panel can hold up to temperatures of up to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. Even in a warm place like Florida, this is no problem since the weather doesn’t reach over 120 degrees in almost any location in the country. When it comes to solar systems, the more sunlight the better. Your solar panels can soak up as much energy from the sun as possible, regardless of how hot the temperatures get.

Extreme Weather Conditions and Solar Panels

Now that you know that solar panels can withstand extreme heat, how do they hold up to other outdoor elements? Solar panels are built to last and stay put during even the wildest weather conditions, including:

• Heavy Rain: Most solar panels are designed to be waterproof, providing full protection of all electrical components even in the heaviest of rains. Rain won’t affect solar panels—they’ll stay in place and start soaking up energy once the sun comes out again.

• High Winds: The average solar panel is certified to withstand winds of up to 140 mph—higher than the windspeed of the average tornado. While some hurricanes can exceed this speed limit, damage to solar panels is most likely to come from large debris hitting the panels. Even so, solar panel damage is very rare during a hurricane.

• Hail: The average hailstorm rains down ice pellets at the rate of 20 mph. The typical solar panel is designed to withstand hail falling at speeds of up to 50 mph, so they hold up very well during even the most severe hailstorms.

Making the Switch to Solar Is Easier Than Ever

Solar panels are well-designed and well-built, able to withstand virtually anything nature throws at them. From extreme heat to high winds, heavy rains to hailstorms, you can count on your solar panels functioning well and adding value to your home for years to come—even in a place like Florida that sees volatile weather year after year. Want to learn more about how easy it is to switch to solar, and about all the benefits you’ll receive? Reach out to the solar experts at Solar Bear of Tampa today at (727) 471-7442—we’re ready to answer all your questions!