Ruth Haines
Solar farms are increasingly being installed at or near airports, with 20% of public airports adopting solar power in the last decade. Airports provide large areas of unused land, roofs, and parking garages that can be used for solar panels, and they also allow for easy connections to the grid. However, there are several factors to consider when installing solar farms at airports, such as ensuring that the reflection from the glass surfaces does not create hazardous glare for pilots and air traffic controllers, maintaining a setback of 250 to 500 feet from radar equipment to prevent obstruction or signal reflection, and preventing the creation of wildlife attractants. Despite these considerations, solar farms at airports can provide significant environmental and economic benefits, including reducing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance from airport | Solar farms can be located at, on, or near airports. The Mount Majura Solar Farm is located 7km north of Canberra Airport. |
| Glare and reflectivity | Solar panels are designed to absorb light and reflect a small amount of sunlight. Airports are encouraged to conduct glare analyses to ensure solar panels do not affect pilots or air traffic control. Anti-reflective coatings and texturing can reduce glare. |
| Radar interference | Solar installations should not interfere with radar systems. Maintaining a 250 to 500-foot setback between the front edges of a PV array and existing radar equipment is recommended. |
| Wildlife impact | Strategies should be implemented to prevent wildlife attractants and reduce the attraction of birds to the solar system for perching or sheltering. |
| Land availability | Airports provide large land areas for solar farms, such as the 120-acre solar farm at Tallahassee International Airport. |
| Environmental benefits | Solar farms at airports reduce operating costs and greenhouse gases, contributing to cleaner air and a commitment to environmental stewardship. |
| Economic benefits | Solar farms can reduce electricity costs and boost revenue for airports and communities. |
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What You'll Learn
Solar farms near airports: Glare and reflectivity
Solar panels are designed to absorb light, reflecting only a small amount of sunlight compared to most other everyday objects. Glass, a key component of solar panels, reflects only 2-4% of the light that falls on it, depending on whether it has been treated with an anti-reflective coating. These coatings are now commonly applied to panels to increase efficiency and power output.
Despite these coatings, glare and reflectivity remain key considerations when installing solar farms near airports. Airports are required to measure the visual impact of solar projects on pilots and air traffic control personnel and must file a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration Form 7460-1, which includes a statement that the project will not cause any visual impact. Glare analyses are conducted to ensure solar panels do not affect pilots or air traffic control.
In some cases, the proximity of solar farms to airports has raised concerns about glare. For example, the proposed Mount Majura Solar Farm located 7km north of Canberra Airport raised concerns about glare from its solar panels. However, because the nose of a commercial aircraft is tilted slightly upwards prior to landing, any light reflected off the panels is likely to fall on the underside of the plane rather than shine into the cockpit.
To address glare concerns, physical methods such as anti-reflective coatings and texturing can be applied to the panels to reduce reflection and glare while also improving the efficiency of the solar panels.
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Radar interference
Reflection of Radar Beam
The solar panels in a solar farm could potentially reflect a radar's beam. This reflection can create clutter and reduce detection sensitivity, thereby interfering with target tracking and weather forecasting. However, it is important to note that the likelihood of this type of interference is minimal, and there are ways to mitigate it. Maintaining a setback distance of 250 to 500 feet between the front edges of the solar panels and existing radar equipment is recommended to prevent issues related to obstruction or signal reflection. Additionally, careful planning and collaboration with aviation authorities are crucial to address any potential risks.
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
The electrical equipment associated with solar farms can potentially generate EMI, which could interfere with radar systems. While this type of interference is also possible, there are no known cases of it occurring at operational solar farms near radar sites.
To address radar interference concerns, some airports with solar farms, such as Meadows Field and Oakland International Airport in California, have implemented standoff distances of 250 feet and 500 feet from radar sites, respectively. These measures were taken as a precaution, and there are no known interference issues at these airports to date.
While the impact of solar farms on radar systems is a relatively new concern, careful planning and collaboration between stakeholders can help overcome these challenges. Additionally, with proper solar farm design and orientation, and the use of anti-reflective coatings, many potential issues can be mitigated.
In summary, while radar interference is a valid consideration when installing solar farms at airports, there are effective strategies available to minimize any potential impact on radar systems. With careful consideration and collaboration, airports can harness the benefits of solar energy while maintaining the integrity and functionality of their radar infrastructure.
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Impact on wildlife
Solar farms have been established at airports in the pursuit of clean energy and carbon footprint reduction. For instance, Tallahassee International Airport has a 120-acre, 20-megawatt solar farm that supplies solar power to more than 100 municipal buildings. Twenty percent of public airports have adopted solar power in the last decade, according to a study at the University of Colorado.
While solar power has been considered generally benign regarding environmental impacts, some solar projects have revealed mortal risks to wildlife, especially birds, birds, insects, and bats. Research by the RSPB and Cambridge University shows that solar farms can boost bird numbers and increase wildlife variety. Well-managed solar farms with a greater mix of habitats have been found to have the greatest variety of species and nearly three times as many birds compared to nearby arable farmland.
Solar farms built on low or moderate agricultural land do not pose a threat to food security or food production. However, it is vital that new solar farms are not located in areas of ecological risk or sites that are important for rare or declining species.
Large solar fields in Southern California and the desert Southwest have been observed to attract birds, especially waterbirds, during migration, as the panels appear to be lakes from a distance. The brightness and intensity of the light from large solar fields may also be attracting insects during the daytime, and the night lighting of these facilities attracts insects and their predators from the surrounding areas.
Mitigation solutions are being tested and developed to reduce the impact on wildlife, such as avian avoidance measures.
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Environmental and economic benefits
Solar farms can be installed near airports, as seen in the example of Tallahassee International Airport, where a 120-acre, 20-megawatt solar farm was set up to combat climate change and curtail emissions. This solar farm provides solar power to more than 100 municipal buildings, including the airport terminal. Airports have unused land, roofs, and parking garages that can be effectively utilised for solar power generation.
Solar farms offer a host of environmental and economic benefits, which are detailed below:
Environmental Benefits
Solar farms play a crucial role in reducing carbon footprints and transitioning to alternative energy sources. They help combat climate change and curtail emissions, contributing to a cleaner energy future. Additionally, they can support native vegetation and pollinator habitats. Low-height plants can thrive underneath solar panels, eliminating the need for mowing and providing shade for the panels. This co-existence benefits farms by increasing local agricultural yield and enabling beekeeping operations.
Economic Benefits
Solar farms create numerous jobs, both directly and indirectly, contributing significantly to local employment rates and economic vitality. Direct jobs are found in construction, maintenance, operation, and monitoring, while indirect jobs are generated in the supply chain, manufacturing, transportation, and related services. The growth of the solar industry also stimulates demand for professional services such as engineering, legal, and financial consulting.
The development of solar farms often leads to infrastructure upgrades, including improvements in roads, bridges, and electrical grid connections, benefiting local communities by enhancing connectivity and utility services. Additionally, solar farms can attract further investment from sectors drawn to improved infrastructure and the availability of renewable energy.
Solar farms can also positively impact energy prices. By increasing the supply of renewable energy, they contribute to a more diverse energy mix, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This leads to greater price stability, benefiting both consumers and local industries that rely on affordable energy supplies.
Furthermore, solar farm developers can contribute to community development by providing financial support for educational programs, infrastructure improvements, and community projects, ensuring that the benefits of solar energy are shared with the local community and promoting sustainable development.
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Leasing airport land
Leasing land for solar farms is a win-win situation for both the landowners and the solar developers. Landowners can generate income from unused land, and solar developers can benefit from the proximity to power lines and substations, which is crucial for solar farms.
The lease agreement between the airport authorities and the solar developers can span anywhere from 10 to 40 years, with options for extensions. During this period, the landowners receive annual or monthly lease payments with no obligations to maintain the solar farm. The developers are responsible for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the solar arrays and equipment.
Before entering into a lease agreement, it is essential to conduct thorough research and due diligence. Landowners should evaluate multiple solar developers and their lease terms. A pre-lease agreement can be offered by the developer, outlining the payment details and lease options. A notice of intent can also be provided, confirming the developer's commitment to the agreed-upon terms before signing the lease.
Additionally, the developer will assess the land's suitability for solar production, considering factors such as the land's proximity to power infrastructure and the amount of land required for the solar farm. Producing 1 megawatt (MW) of solar power typically requires four to eight acres of land.
Overall, leasing airport land for solar farms can provide a stable income stream for airport authorities, contribute to renewable energy goals, and help reduce the environmental impact of airports.
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Frequently asked questions
Airports often have unused land, roofs, and parking garages, which can be used for solar farms. This helps to reduce operating costs and greenhouse gases, and shows a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Primary considerations for airport solar farms include glare and reflectivity, radar interference, and impact on wildlife.
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on various factors such as local regulations, the size of the airport, and the availability of land. However, it is important to ensure that the solar farm does not interfere with airport operations, including radar systems and wildlife.
Yes, several airports around the world have adopted solar power. Some examples include Adelaide Airport, Alice Springs Airport, Newman Airport, and Ballarat Airport in Australia, as well as Changi Airport in Singapore, Gatwick Airport in London, and San Jose Airport in California.
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