Schiphol asks court to demolish solar panels blinding landing pilots

Schiphol is filing a lawsuit against an owner of nearby solar panels that are reflecting sunlight in such a way that it is blinding pilots. With a summary proceeding, the airport is attempting to force the owner to remove the solar panels. According to Schiphol, they pose an "unacceptable safety risk."

In March, Schiphol closed the Polderbaan runway for planes that needed to land between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for weeks due to the issue. The airport expects the disruption caused by the solar park to reoccur in August, as the sun will be lower then. “Removing the solar panels takes several weeks to months. That is why Schiphol feels forced into filing a lawsuit,” a spokesperson said in response to a report from De Telegraaf.

Schiphol, the Dutch air traffic control, and the airlines do not want to have to close another runway due to the solar panels. They feel the consequences for the air traffic is too significant. In addition, certain groups of nearby residents could experience more nuisance if a runway is closed because it would then become busier at other landing areas.

De Telegraaf reported that removing the solar panels will cost millions of euros. The municipality of Haarlemmermeer were warned of the risks that the solar park would have to planes years ago when it gave permission for the park. The glass used in the solar panels is not the same as the ones recommended by the safety platform IMS. It was said that this glass was no longer available, hence why they used a different type of glas. However, insiders have said that the glass is available, but it is more expensive.

According to Schiphol, there is no other solution for this problem. The airport held discussions for a while with the owner of the solar park, called the Groene Energie Corridor, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

The Groene Energie Corridor has said that it will respond to the news at a later stage.