Safety study for the creation of a solar power plant on Fontenay-le-Comte airfield

The objective of this safety study is to provide assistance to Solaire Direct in its process to obtain the appropriate authorization from the French Direction Générale de lAviation Civile (DGAC) to implement and run this power plant and start the associated construction works. This study will provide precise data in terms of constraints and dazzling risks caused by light reflexion on the solar panels. In the frame of this contract, Egis Avia will study:

• The project compliance with the aeronautical regulation in force in terms of obstacle limitation surfaces, airport norms and constraints and the possible consequences in case the project infringed one of these aspects;
• The potential interfering risks caused by sunlight reflexion on the solar farm and interception in the obstacle limitation surfaces nearby the runway that could dazzle the pilot during critical flight phases (take-up, landing and taxiing manoeuvres).

In this perspective, Egis Avia will collect data on the field and compare gathered information to sun trajectory parameters using a specific calculation tool. Germany or Switzerland, and more recently by the United States were the first countries to implement solar power stations on airfields (on the ground or on terminal roofs). Large portions of vacant land on airports can provide profitable opportunities to cut down energy expenditure and use a source of clean renewable energy. Many other airports could hence follow example in the coming years.