Italian startup gives new bird-protection resolution for rooftop PV – pv journal Worldwide

From pv journal Italy

Italian startup Italgam Srl has developed a brand new hen safety resolution for rooftop PV methods.

Its EVO 2.0 resolution consists of brushes between the again of the panels and the roof. The brushes are available in two varieties with totally different diameters, relying on the necessities.

The bristles, fabricated from polypropylene handled with anti-UV to forestall crystallization, defend the panels, whereas the metal wire of the brushes is fabricated from low-carbon chrome steel to forestall corrosion.

Italgam CEO Maurizio Chiacchierini mentioned pv journal that the inspiration for the Evo 2.0 brush got here from a gutter-cleaning brush he noticed in British Columbia, Canada. He developed and patented the Evo 2.0 brush after a photo voltaic installer requested if it might stop pigeons from nesting below the panels.

Pigeon management now accounts for about 90% of Italgam’s manufacturing. The firm claims that greater than 1,300 photo voltaic corporations now commonly use Evo brushes of their installations.

“The Evo brush for photo voltaic panels is made with knurled bristles for higher grip on the floor and staggered which permits for higher stream of warmth produced by the panels and higher stream of rainwater in below the panels in case of rain,” mentioned Chiacchierini.

He mentioned that assaults by birds, reasonably than brushes, will cut back the effectivity of the system. Pigeons are all the time panels on the bottom, which might cut back power manufacturing by as much as 30%. He added that the worst injury happens below the panels, the place dry and natural waste can accumulate, resulting in overheating and potential brief circuits that may trigger fires.

“The Evo brush with its staggered bristles doesn’t restrict the air alternate, however categorically prevents birds and leaves from coming into below the methods,” mentioned Chiacchierini. “And it is adaptable to all forms of roofs, together with these on corrugated sheet steel.”