Solar glare free solar park thanks to QING research

Research into possible glare

Solar panels can annoying reflection cause on the immediate environment. At certain times of the day, light rays can reflect from the solar panels on surrounding houses, railways, motorways, and more. In addition to nuisance and irritation, this can of course also cause dangerous situations.

The solar park in Wehl is being built with an east-west layout and equipped with a ring wall, a raised ground wall that provides additional protection and is also intended for temporary water storage. Despite these measures, there is a resident in the immediate vicinity, who may be affected by the solar park.

The brilliance tool

That is why Solar Provider Group engaged QING Sustainable to carry out an analysis. To determine whether glare would be present, QING has a self-developed software used to simulate millions of light rays.

Based on various inputs, the tool determines whether glare may occur. Examples of this input include:

• Orientation and angle of inclination of the solar panels
• The height from the receiving point
• Distance to measurement points in the solar park
• The stand and position of the sun during the year

If glare is found, the tool can calculate at the minute level at which times this happens annually. You can also think about how the glare preventing can be. This way, we can play with the different inputs, such as the angle of inclination of the solar panels, until the simulation no longer shows glare.

The image below shows what the tool's output looks like (the output below is a fictional example and does not match the Solar Provider Group results). The red color indicates glare, meaning during januari, februari, october, and november (at time 8:25-9:35) there will be glare.

Interpreting the data

Our analysis showed that there is NONE immediate glare occurs for this resident. This means that the solar park can be built without a negative visual impact on the living environment.

Clarity for the environment

The results of the study provide Solar Provider Group and the local residents involved clarity about the impact of glare that the solar park may cause.

What if there is glare?

In some cases, glare is found in surrounding areas. However, this glare can be prevented.

For example, the tool allows you to play with the angle of inclination or the orientation of the solar panels until there is no glare anymore. This output can be used by the solar park developers to to prevent glare.

If the park has already been built, you can also see where fence/afforestation can be installed to block glare.

Want to know if your solar park is glare proof? Or are you a resident of a solar park and want to validate that you are suffering from glare?

Want to read more about the brilliance survey we did for Vattenfall? Read more here.