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Bird Control Groups autonomous laser system reduces bird populations in specific areas by more than 70%. In many cases, bird activity has been reduced by more than 99%.
The Bird Control Group sells a self-contained laser deterrent that has been shown to reduce targeted bird populations in sensitive areas by more than 99%. The company is confident enough to guarantee at least 70% fewer birds, and is currently developing a machine learning algorithm that will further increase the effectiveness of the laser system.
The lasers are class 3B, with a power output of 5 and 499 milliwatts. Class 3B can be dangerous to the human eye when exposed directly and for a long period of time. The Bird Control Group claims that their deterrent products have a spread beam, which ensures that only a small percentage of the lasers potential can enter the eye.
The unit can be plugged into standard 240V electricity or run on its own self-contained 24V battery and solar power system. The beams are green because green lasers are better perceived by birds, and have an effective distance of 300 to 600 meters full sun. At night lasers can be effective up to 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away.
In New England, seagulls can be a nuisance, as they have been known to drop clams on solar panels. And even when they dont directly damage the panels, their droppings can be a nuisance, covering panels, roofs and cars in droppings and clogging drains. A laser installed on a rooftop in the Netherlands in 2014 showed a 90% reduction in seagull activity, a figure that should raise eyebrows for solar developers and owners of large solar power installations near oceans and lakes.
For crop protection, most bird problems were addressed at dawn and dusk, when birds are actively foraging. The reduced sunlight at these times also helps the laser work more efficiently.
In its online videos, the company notes that a stand-alone unit costs about $20,000 with the 24V solar panels, battery, controller, and wiring. Other bird control devices rely on noise, such as propane cannons or squawks. These devices are cheaper (a professional squawker costs about $1,600), but neighbors wont appreciate the noise, and after a while most birds learn to ignore them.
Another excellent use of these devices is to limit the spread of bird flu from wild populations to those raised on poultry farms. When lasers were tested on these farms during the day and night, the university team found a 99.7% decrease in mallards visiting the area. Other wild birds decreased their visits by more than 96%.
For farmers and solar developers who want to integrate agrivoltaics, and who may be concerned about damage and contamination from bird feed and droppings, the unit has already proven itself in various farming scenarios. Berries, grapes, sunflowers, sweet corn, and many other agricultural products are delicacies for local bird populations. Despite the temptation, the birds in these places were well deterred by the lasers.
Blueberry farmer Paul Sweetland set up a new solar project in Rockport, Maine last month that installed solar panels on the blueberry fields he grows. Photo by Brianna Soukup
One corn farmer said he believes his system paid for itself in the first year, cutting his sweet corn losses by 70%.
Frankfurt Airport uses the manual version of the laser. The airport is surrounded by forests and meadows, which are very popular with birds. They have extensive experience dealing with birds and are of course aware of the danger that lasers pose to pilots eyes when operating aircraft. Wildlife control coordinator Jürgen J. Ebert explains that the devices patented Horizon security system "makes it easier for authorities to authorize the use of [the] laser at airports." Before using the Aerolaser, the airport used pyrotechnics, shotguns and loudspeakers. The best results were obtained among birds that tend to perch more on the ground.
The company now believes its product will be a good fit for the solar industry, especially as the market shifts towards agrivoltaic systems. |
