3MW Rooftop Solar Array Cleaned On BMW Mini Plant in UK

by | Mar 19, 2017 | Bird Issues, Oxford

Clean Solar Solutions have completed cleaning the solar panels on the roof of the BMW Mini plant in Oxford, UK.  The 3MW solar array is spread across 3 roofs and has a total of 11,659 solar panels, spread across 20,000 square meters.

The solar panels were originally installed by UK installation company, Evoenergy in 2014, but has fallen victim to infrequent bird dropping strikes.  A window cleaning company was called in to clean the solar panels, but they were unable to cope with the scale of the project.  Clean Solar Solutions were then called in to expertly clean the solar panels and provide their advice about how to inhibit the bird activity.

Times are changing in the UK as to who will be allowed to clean solar panels.  Currently, like Australia, there is little legislation or regulating of solar panel cleaners, but the health and safety conscious Brits are looking to limit those who can clean solar panels by way of training and certification.  Managing Director of Clean Solar Solutions, Steve Williams, is playing his part in advising the UK industry.  His expertise is part of the reason Clean Solar Solutions got called in for this clean.

There is the extra complication with this solar array as it seems that the bird strikes only occur twice a year, indicating that the BMW Mini plant sits under a migratory flight path.  However, cleaning was completed on site within 5 days and we put forward our proposal for inhibiting the bird activity. 

Speaking about our cleaning of the solar panels, BMW Head of Sustainability spoke with Clean Solar Solutions M.D. Steve Williams at a solar conference in Milan, Italy and said “Sustainability is a guiding principle of BMW’s corporate strategy.  By 2020, the BMW Group will be the leader in the use of renewable energy in production and value creation.  Efficient solar systems are part of the success story.”

Clean Solar Solutions are glad to be playing their small part in helping the BMW Group reach their renewable targets with their solar panel cleaning service.  Commenting on this, Williams states “The BMW Group and other large corporations continue to press forward with renewable ideals.  They have amazing ambitions and here in the UK, we should be listening to their plans and strategies.  We as a company are proud to be providing our services to such global brands as the BMW Group and look forward to helping them hit their targets in any way we can.”

It continues to be the case that birds are blighting solar panels across the country.  Now that spring is approaching, this problem will only get worse as birds mark their territory and begin the nesting season.  

SEE ALSO:  The Harsh Reality Of Bird Droppings And Solar Panels

Bird droppings can inhibit output considerably by creating hotspots, shading and etching on solar panels.  This can have a dramatic negative effect on PR, so acting quickly is a must.  Clean Solar Solutions can provide you with a swift (no pun intended!) solution to the bird dropping problem you may face on a solar array and also provide you with advice and solutions on how to reduce bird activity around the solar panels.  

Please contact us for more information.