Travel firm TUI has installed 1,358 solar panels on the roof of its head office in Zaventem (Flemish Brabant), the home of Brussels Airport. This was no easy task as the building is located next to Brussels Airport and the reflection of sunlight on the solar panels could blind pilots. That is why special solar panels with low reflectivity were installed.
Special solar panels needed near Brussels Airport to ensure pilots are not blinded
Colin Clapson
Published:
‘Building a solar park within the perimeter of Brussels Airport is a particular challenge,’ explains Gunther Hofman, director at TUI. In airport zones strict standards apply with regard to safety and pilot visibility.
Approval needed
Solar panels can dazzle pilots when they reflect sunlight. That is why additional approvals were required from the Brussels Airport Company, airspace manager Skeyes, the fire brigade and the grid operator. After several technical analyses, solar panels that reflect little light were chosen.
Greater sustainability
The project, in collaboration with energy company Eneco Solar, means travel firm TUI is taking a new step in the roll-out of its sustainability strategy. The installation will cover more than half the building's annual electricity consumption with locally generated green electricity.