Solar panels if close to airport

Bellie1 · 07-02-2022 11:59am #1

Have spent weeks researching solar panels and then yesterday came across something about not being allowed if on a flight path. We are close to Cork airport, about 3km as the crow flies. Saw 10km radium mentioned somewhere. Does this mean not allowed to put any up? If I ring, would they be able to advise or should I just apply for planning? Or park the whole idea.

bullit_dodger · 07-02-2022 12:27pm

Depends. I've no direct experience here on planning permission with respect to airports and solar panels.....although I do have pilots license (private). If you were right on the flight path to the runway and close to the airfield (like <1Km close) then it could potentially be a problem. I'm saying "could" at a MASSIVE stretch here. The sun would have to be hitting the panels at a certain time of the day, at a certain time of the year etc. .....

If you are 3km away and off the centerline of the runway - nahh can't see it, and as for that 10km. That's nonsense for sure. Everyone inside the circle below (including everyone in Cork metropolitan area) would be in breach of that then if they put up solar panels. Nonsense whoever said that.

No, unless you are living right next to the airport, you can rest easy. But don't take my word for it.....

Dudda · 07-02-2022 12:42pm

It is a potential issue but generally only when you're near an airport (or hospital with an emergency helicopter landing pad) and on the flight path. It would also need to be a big area of roof. Are you in the red area of this? https://www.dji.com/ie/flysafe/geo-map

What's usually more of an issue is the crane. I've had issues with tower cranes around hospitals for example.

lawred2 · 07-02-2022 12:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058231765/solar-panels-if-close-to-airport

we're under the flight path into Dublin Airport. All the houses in the estate have solar panels. Airport is about 3km away.

Bellie1 · 07-02-2022 12:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118594398#Comment_118594398

Is the red the flight paths? No am outside that. So reckon be ok? Imagine paying 7k for panels and then being told to take them down and paying for that also. How can I be 100% sure. Would SEAI advise? Although they'd probably say have to apply for planning regardless and go by the book totally. I haven't seen any houses in area with panels, then again it's not the wealthiest part of the city so that wouldn't surprise me

the_amazing_raisin · 07-02-2022 4:04pm

I'm within 2km of Dublin airport and lots of houses here have solar panels. They're pointing at the airport as well so it's probably the point there'd be maximum glare

If you need planning permission for your panels then that's probably the point at which you'll hear any objections.

I noticed that most of the panels installed near me are the all black ones that don't reflect as much. Not sure if it's for aesthetics or a requirement this close to the airport

MarkR · 07-02-2022 4:17pm

There are solar panels all over Shannon. A 3 km circle from the end of the runway would cover 99% of Shannon.

bullit_dodger · 07-02-2022 4:50pm

Honestly lads. The whole thing is nonsense. Its like that 12m2 rule that "technically" is in the solar planning exemptions. I betcha every one of us has broken that rule. I've 24.5 sq meters up on my roof. Am I worried? Should I be?

No.

If you were (literally) right on the extension line of the runway within 1Km and can actually see the thing, I might pause for a few nanoseconds, but if your a few Km away, it's just not even on the radar (excuse the pun)

Move on Roy, move on! :-)

spose · 07-02-2022 10:35pm

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/03/7-cool-solar-installations-at-u-s-airports/

Coltrane · 09-02-2022 2:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058231765/solar-panels-if-close-to-airport

It's not SEAI's call.

Your issue will be whether your PV is permitted by the planning regulations.

Have a look at the exemption for PV. As far as I remember, there is nothing in it which disapplies the exemption in case of houses near airports. In which case, you could safely install up to the limits contained in the exemption.

If you exceeded the limit and were in an area close enough to an airport to cause unacceptable glint and glare risk you might be at greater risk of enforcement action.

What you may have come across is that the Department is looking at expanding the exemption for PV in areas far enough away from airports to carry acceptable glint and glare risk to pilots.

MAULBROOK · 10-02-2022 8:08pm

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2022/0209/1278843-daa-lodges-plans-for-solar-farm-for-dublin-airport/

the_amazing_raisin · 10-02-2022 9:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118612304#Comment_118612304

I was about to mention that, it'll be hard for them to object to any of our little rooftop panels now

I get that if someone put a big solar far north of ten airport where it could reflect a load of glare into pilots eyes there might be a case against it. But Keeling's have a load of glasshouses around there anyway so it can't be much of a concern

poker--addict · 13-02-2022 12:48am

PV panels arent mirrors.... wouldn't worry about this (as a home owner and pilot)

[Deleted User] · 13-02-2022 1:58am

There's planning legislation going through the orachtas at present to deal with all this .I think it's in it's third stage..wait for it to conclude

the_amazing_raisin · 13-02-2022 4:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118623590#Comment_118623590

Deal with it in what way? Hope it won't make things more restrictive than they already are

Jonathan · 13-02-2022 4:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118625212#Comment_118625212

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2021/88/

[Deleted User] · 13-02-2022 5:02pm

Biggest one for me would be the 12 sq meter rule..that's about 6 panels allowed without planning.may as well put nothing up.

MAULBROOK · 13-02-2022 5:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118625359#Comment_118625359

NO rush lads, take your fecken time.

10-10-20 · 13-02-2022 5:10pm

There are panels which are low-glare, suitable for airports, etc.

https://www.pveurope.eu/solar-modules/non-reflective-solar-modules-places-where-glare-unwelcome

the_amazing_raisin · 13-02-2022 9:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118625396#Comment_118625396

Yeah it's a bit pointless, but judging by the installations getting posted about here my guess is that it gets widely ignored.

Not sure many council officers would be willing to climb a ladder to make sure the gaps between the panels and roof edge

slave1 · 14-02-2022 6:06am

Gaps are SEAI rules

the_amazing_raisin · 14-02-2022 9:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118625359#Comment_118625359

But that's just for public buildings, no help for private homes right?

ECO_Mental · 14-02-2022 10:48am

No problem I live very near Cork airport and the airport police have not been down to me yet....what I did have to get was a permit from the Airport when I had a crane on site lifting my Ducon concrete slabs into place thought so bear that in mind.

timetogo1 · 14-02-2022 10:51am

These guys look like they're within the 3KM limit

New Solar Farm Opened At Dublin Airport

Bellie1 · 14-02-2022 12:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118628023#Comment_118628023

Thanks for the reassurance. Is crane needed to put the panels on roof? Never considered the logistics

ECO_Mental · 14-02-2022 12:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118628508#Comment_118628508

No, I had scaffolding up for the house build so they were installed off this. The panels are very light anyway

puntypower · 14-02-2022 2:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118627590#Comment_118627590

What are the guidelines for panels and edge of rooflines? Will be doing a self installation and not going seai route.

slave1 · 14-02-2022 2:36pm

No idea, but the SEAI rules of 20cm/50cm are not limiting I'd imagine

Zzippy · 14-02-2022 2:42pm

If you're flying into Luton airport there are whole solar farms on the final approach, I doubt very much there is an issue with glare. Lots of airports have waterbodies on approach that reflect sunlight as much as panels, pilots wear polarized sunglasses to minimise glare. I wouldn't worry about a few panels on a house.

Mickeroo · 15-02-2022 10:53am

The "issues near airports" thing looks to me like something someone in the department who knows nothing about solar panels has latched on to as an issue rather than anything logical or necessary to the legislation.

bullit_dodger · 15-02-2022 11:32am

It's the "12m2 issue".

We should close this thread. it's a legitimate question that has a right to be asked, but the answer is "ignore it", you have other things to worry about rather than glint of a solar panel. I speak that as a solar owner and a pilot.

Solar panels if close to airport

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