Solar Panel through Isenglass?

[syoun10]

Got a boat with a solar panel atop the bimini. But seagulls are a REAL problem and always seem to choose this boat's bimini to sit (& s--t) on!

When moored I'm thinking about putting a cover over the bimini with an isenglass window to let the sun shine on the solar panel. I'm sure this will have some lowering effect on the effectiveness but will it be a big loss? Don't want to do this if it has an enormous negative effect on the solar panel.

 

[Ross]

Not until the birds finish whitewashing it.

 

[Scott B]

Try a rubber snake to scare off the birds?

 

[zeehag]

have you tried monofilament--aka fishing line -- for deterrent--they dont like to try to stand on skinny threads-- my neighbor in sd did this without any change in effect from the panels---good luck. might consider getting a feline critter to debird your boat..

and get the neighbors to quit feeding them so they leave your area.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Don't do it, 'cuz heat can rapidly kill a solar panel.

Tom Lehrer, and 1960s humorist songwriter, did one called "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park." We have an infestation of pigeons in our marina, close by where a bunch of feral cats used to hang out but were removed by animal services (just coincidentally right around the corner from our marina!). Too bad...

zeehag is right, string is your favorite weapon.

BoatUS did a long writeup about bird repellant materials, try their website for some humorous and useful ideas.

Good luck, keep those electrons flowing.

 

[Steve Dion]

Maybe something like this?

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...glepla&cvsfa=2587&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=373432363831

 

[Ross]

I once watched a pair of ospreys playing hopscotch in the maze of monofilament strung above a boat. They seemed to be having fun.