Arrangements regarding solution for solar park near Schiphol
After intensive consultations, Schiphol, De Groene Energie Corridor (DGEC), the municipality of Haarlemmermeer and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) have found a solution for the solar park located beneath the approach routes of the Polderbaan and Zwanenburgbaan runways. To eliminate the current safety risk, the removal of the solar panels has begun. All solar panels are to be covered with a special film that prevents glare, so that the solar park can coexist safely with the airport.
The solution
The parties have agreed to dismantle the solar panels, cover them with anti-reflective film and then reinstall them. All parties will make a financial contribution to this. These arrangements offer the prospect of a permanent solution for the solar park, subject to the wishes and reservations of the Haarlemmermeer municipal council.
This solution has been investigated by independent parties. Calculations show that the remaining reflected glare from the solar park is such that, on that basis, this solution is deemed safe by the Integral Safety Management System (ISMS), in which the aviation sector works together to ensure safe aviation.
'Safety is always top priority, both at and around our airport. We've been working hard to achieve this over the past few months. We're pleased to be on our way to a solution that ensures safe air traffic, reliable airport operations and sustainable energy. This will initially involve temporarily removing the solar panels and working together to find a safe solution. But also making long-term arrangements, as good neighbours, to ensure that the solar park can safely coexist with the airport. We appreciate DGEC's constructive approach and understand the significant impact this process has on them.'
‘We are pleased that we have reached an overall solution together with Schiphol, the municipality and the ministry. The energy transition sometimes presents challenging issues. Thanks to the good cooperation with all parties involved, we can combine sustainable energy and flight safety. This is an important step, not only for this project, but also for other sustainable energy projects throughout the Netherlands.’
'Haarlemmermeer is making a significant and essential contribution to the energy transition for both residents and businesses. We, Schiphol, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and DGEC support this, but in practice, we encountered unforeseen glare. With this joint solution, we are focusing on both aviation safety and the energy transition. However, the added value lies primarily in our collaborative approach to future solutions from various perspectives, so we can further develop the solar block around the airport in a safe way.'
'We've seen that the glare from the solar panels poses problems for flight safety. In addition, there was a risk to airport operations, with potentially many delayed and cancelled flights, as well as a prolonged change in runway usage, which would result in additional noise nuisance for the surrounding area. Therefore, I've decided that the ministry will help to resolve the problem, together with the parties involved.'
Current situation and temporary measures
DGEC has already begun dismantling fields A and B (78,000 solar panels), as recently ordered by the court. Fields C and D (150,000 solar panels) will be dismantled as soon as possible, carried out in phases. This takes time, and so the ISMS has been forced to take temporary measures to ensure the safety of air traffic.
Starting 28 August 2025, the Zwanenburgbaan Runway will be unavailable for landing aircraft at certain times in the afternoon in sunny weather. The exact times vary per day, depending on the position of the sun. These periods will be between 14:40 and 17:00, ranging from a few minutes to a maximum of one hour. At these times, landing aircraft will be diverted to the Schiphol-Oostbaan Runway if necessary. This measure will remain in effect until 29 September 2025 or until the solar panels in question have been removed. Every day, weather forecasts will be used to assess whether the Zwanenburgbaan Runway is safe for use.