Schiphol partly gets the better of the 'shimmering soap opera': 78,000 solar panels that blind pilots must be removed

The court in Haarlem ruled this after Schiphol, in summary proceedings, demanded that the company take measures against what the airport considered an 'unacceptable risk to safety.'

The Green Energy Corridor operates a solar farm of approximately 100 hectares near the Polderbaan and Zwanenburgbaan runways. A total of around 230,000 panels are installed there. Some of these panels cause severe sunlight glare between August and April, and at certain times of the day, which in turn causes pilots to become blinded.

Critical phase

According to Schiphol, the blinding occurs in a critical phase during landing, at a time when minimal errors can have very major and serious consequences for the aircraft and the people on board.

Despite having a permit, the owner "created a situation that poses a serious threat to flight safety and poses a significant risk of very serious accidents," the judge ruled. Therefore, measures must be taken, at the company's own expense.

The judge concludes that the bothersome glare is primarily caused by two fields and that the panels on those fields must be removed. Half by September 1st and the other half by October 15th, 2025.

Schiphol is not entirely satisfied with the ruling and believes the problem has only been partially resolved. The airport also states that parts of the solar park that the court has allowed to remain pose an "unacceptable safety risk." Schiphol hopes the government will continue to enforce these rules.

Closing jobs

The airport does not want to have to close runways again for the panels. They believe the consequences for air traffic and local residents, who could be inconvenienced by the closures, are too great.

Schiphol recently consulted with the park's owner, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. However, no conclusive amicable solution was found, the company stated earlier.

The solar park, the Green Energy Corridor (DGEC), was developed by four farmers who had surplus land and stated their commitment to making the Netherlands more sustainable. In early 2024, the solar park was acquired by the Energy Solutions Group.

The company maintains that the park was constructed in accordance with all legal regulations. If the park is to be dismantled, the entrepreneur wants compensation, which would cost millions of euros. Currently, however, the company is responsible for the removal of the panels and the associated costs.

Disappointed

DGEC says it is disappointed with the ruling and believes it did not act unlawfully and should not be held responsible for the costs of the measures. "We will carefully review the ruling and its implications for DGEC and determine further steps accordingly," the company said in a statement.

Pilots landing are blinded by the sun's reflection, says Schiphol.