Solar panels near Schiphol Airport that blind pilots with reflected sunlight are to be temporarily removed. The panels will be covered with a film that prevents reflection and then reinstalled, to allow the Belgian-owned solar park to continue to operate safely.
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Solar panels at Schiphol to be removed and adapted to prevent glare blinding pilots
Belga
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The measure was announced by Schiphol, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer and solar park De Groene Energie Corridor (DGEC).
The park is directly under the approach paths of two runways at the airport. A court recently ruled that the owner must remove the panels, as they are the main cause of the glare that temporarily blinds pilots.
The energy transition sometimes presents challenging issues
DGEC has already started dismantling 78,000 panels on two of its four fields. The remaining 150,000 will be dismantled as quickly as possible, in phases.
According to the organisations, this will provide a structural solution for the solar park, which is still subject to the decision of the municipal council of Haarlemmermeer, near Amsterdam.
The organisations have made agreements with the ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The parties say they will each contribute financially but have not disclosed how much money is involved.
The Belgian green energy producer Energy Solutions Group (ESG) from Heusden-Zolder in Limburg took over DGEC at the beginning of 2024 and invested €90 million in the solar park. Construction started in July and it has been operational since May this year.
“The energy transition sometimes presents challenging issues. Thanks to the good cooperation with all parties involved, we can combine sustainable energy and flight safety,” Bert Creemers, director of DGEC and CEO of Energy Solutions Group, said in a press release.
Earlier this month, the company warned that forced demolition of the park could lead to its bankruptcy.
