Solar and wind energy facility projects can pose risks to nearby residents, motorists or pilots. Developers are therefore increasingly required to consider visual impacts. Glare from photovoltaic (PV) panels and shadow flicker from wind turbines, can affect comfort, safety and overall community acceptance of renewable energy infrastructure.
Glare modelling evaluates the intensity, frequency and duration of light reflection from PV plants, identifying which receptors are likely to be exposed to visual discomfort or safety risks, including temporary after-image or flash blindness. In parallel, shadow flicker (or simply flicker) modelling simulates the moving and erratic shadows produced by rotating turbine blades, allowing developers to determine when, where and how often flicker may occur throughout the year.
Recognising the importance of understanding and managing these impacts, SRK has integrated glare and flicker modelling into visual impact assessments that feed directly into broader environmental and social impact assessment processes for renewable energy projects. Specialised modelling tools are used to quantify glare and/or flicker, providing developers with concrete data to inform design choices, particularly the layout of PV plants and the micro-siting of turbines. Outputs from the modelling include detailed maps and exposure statistics that show not only the spatial reach of potential effects, but also their timing, duration and recurrence across different seasons.
Results are then analysed against international good practice guidelines, such as those adopted by the International Finance Corporation, ensuring projects comply with recognised standards. This facilitates evidence-based decisions on PV panel and turbine orientation and layout, physical screening measures, and operational adjustments to minimise impacts. Embedding modelling early in project design fosters an iterative, adaptive design process that supports the delivery of renewable energy while safeguarding the wellbeing of affected communities.
SRK’s niche modelling expertise enables our ESG consultants to quantify impacts that were once difficult to measure, and to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures, translating sustainability principles into practical, defensible solutions for real-world projects.
