Sunpower Glare & Reflection

Solar Panels  are designed to absorb sunlight, rather than reflect it. The FAA view is that current solar panels reflect a little more light than black asphalt, about level with bodies of water, and much below bare soil, vegetation, rooftops, glass, snow or metal.

But it does caution that “because the panels are a flat, polished surface, it is a reasonable assumption that most of the light is reflected in a specular way” so potentially having an impact on the eyes”.

Random glare and reflectance which can be observed from the air are a key consideration for sites like airports. PV systems with antireflective glass demonstrate decisively lower glare and reflectance levels from the glare and reflectance generated by standard window glass and other common reflective surfaces such as bodies of water. SunPower has multiple large projects installed near airports or on air force bases. Each of these large projects has passed FAA or Air Force standards and all projects have been determined as “No Hazard to Air Navigation.” It is suggested that customers and installers discuss any possible concerns about glare and reflectance with neighbours near the planned PV system installation.

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