Schiphol: solar panel problem not resolved by court
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From one of our correspondents.
The solar farm near Schiphol Airport, whose panels reflect sunlight so much that they blind pilots, must be partially removed by a court order. But according to Schiphol, this doesn't solve the problem, writes the ND newspaper. Parts of the solar farm that the court has allowed to remain also pose an "unacceptable safety risk," the airport responds. Schiphol hopes that an enforcement request from the ILT (Dutch Aviation Authority) sent this week will "lead to further action."
The solar farm is located directly beneath the approach paths of the Polderbaan and Zwanenburgbaan runways. It consists of four fields with a total of nearly 230,000 solar panels. Over 78,000 of these, located on two fields, must be removed. According to the judge, it is primarily these panels that cause the glare.
Schittering also plays out on other fields.
In March, the airport closed the Polderbaan runway to landing aircraft between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM to avoid the problem and expects the problem to recur in August. The aviation authority of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) reported on Tuesday that the environmental permit for the solar park should be revoked. They had submitted a request to the municipality of Haarlemmermeer to revoke the permit. The ILT Aviation Authority can only take enforcement action against Schiphol itself, and not against the municipality responsible for the environmental permit.
The court ruled that De Groene Energie Corridor "created a situation that poses a serious risk to aviation safety," despite the municipality's permit. Therefore, the company must take action. If the panels are not removed in time, the ND writes, the owner will have to pay a penalty of €1 million. This penalty is increased by €50,000 for each day the panels remain in place, up to a maximum of €25 million.
https://www.climategate.nl/2025/07/schiphol-probleem-zonnepanelen-niet-verholpen-door-rechter/
