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Since March 4, Schiphols Polderbaan runway will be temporarily unavailable to landing traffic between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. in sunny weather due to glare from solar panels. Since Tuesday, March 4, the Polderbaan runway at Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport has been temporarily unavailable to landing traffic between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. in sunny weather. The reason is the glare caused by the solar panels located under the approach path to the Polderbaan runway, which are outside the landing area but hinder pilots visibility when the sun is shining. The position of the sun causes this effect to occur in the morning, explains the Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS), adding that pilots have recently submitted several reports on the matter. “The Netherlands Air Traffic Control (LVNL), KLM, easyJet, and Schiphol, under the ISMS, are obliged to take this measure to ensure air traffic safety.” Since then, weather forecasts are used daily to assess whether or not to use the Polderbaan runway, as failure to do so impacts noise levels around Schiphol. Landing traffic will make more frequent use of the Zwanenburgbaan and Buitenveldertbaan runways. The aviation industry has held prior consultations with the municipality of Haarlemmermeer regarding the installation of solar panels near Schiphol. The industry indicated that the use of special glass (deep-textured glass), which absorbs sunlight rather than reflecting it, is necessary for flight safety. The municipality of Haarlemmermeer and the owner of the solar park are working hard, in consultation with the aviation industry, to find a structural solution, the airport concluded. Solar modules typically have an anti-reflective coating. However, according to Karlsruhe, Germany-based technology company Phytonics, this is not sufficient to prevent solar modules from being glared. Typically, the anti-reflective coating only serves to increase the modules performance. Phytonics has developed a self-adhesive film designed to reduce the modules glare effect to the necessary extent. It features special bionic microstructures. These ensure that even very flat incident light is efficiently coupled, the company explains. This not only makes the modules glare-free, but also increases their performance during off-peak hours. According to Phytonics, the film is made exclusively from materials that have already proven their long-term stability over many years of outdoor use. Therefore, the film is resistant to influences such as UV radiation, moisture, heat, and hail. The film can now be ordered directly from the company in rolls or sheets. Initially, the film will be available for €70 per module ($76.20). Future price developments will depend on several factors, the company emphasizes. |
