Neo Environmental undertook all work for the 3 phases of the Proposed Development which included, feasibility studies, planning and the full suite of environmental and technical assessments. This include two separate solar applications of circa 50MW (original site and extension) and the 100MW battery storage project, all of which were consented. The team co-ordinated and undertook the pre-application meetings with the council, site visits and also co-ordinated and undertook all of the planning and environmental works as well as the design (Planning reports, ecology, archaeology, noise, transport, hydrology, glint and glare, landscape and visual). This was part of a portfolio of projects that Neo received consent for (100% successful consent rate), including three 100MW battery storage projects.

Neo Environmental undertook all work for the 3 phases of the Proposed Development which included, feasibility studies, planning and the full suite of environmental and technical assessments. This include two separate solar applications of circa 50MW (original site and extension) and the 100MW battery storage project, all of which were consented. The team co-ordinated and undertook the pre-application meetings with the council, site visits and also co-ordinated and undertook all of the planning and environmental works as well as the design (Planning reports, ecology, archaeology, noise, transport, hydrology, glint and glare, landscape and visual). This was part of a portfolio of projects that Neo received consent for (100% successful consent rate), including three 100MW battery storage projects.

Neo Environmental were commissioned to coordinate and undertake the full suite of environmental assessments required to accompany a planning application for a large-scale solar farm within South Meath. The substantial development covers an area of circa 130ha and required detailed assessments.

from an early stage in the proposed development, this included input into the EIA screening report and the public exhibition. The planning application and environmental assessments were submitted to Meath County Council and received approval in August 2018. Neo Environmental also completed a full geophysical survey and archaeology testing for the project on behalf of Lightsource BP. We have also completed the condition compliance for the construction stage of the project.

Neo Environmental are delighted to have started 2022 with an approval via a delegated decision for a 100MW co-located solar and battery storage project near Hull for its client Albanwise. Neo Environmental done all of the planning, public consultation and environmental work for this large project, including the design, ecology, archaeology (including a geophysical survey), noise, traffic and transport, landscape and visual, hydrology, glint and glare and land classification assessment. The project consists of approximately 100 thousand solar panels and 24 battery storage containers on a circa 90 ha site.

Neo Environmental undertook all work for the various stages of a Proposed 155MW solar and battery storage Development near Athenry in Co. Galway. This included the initial feasibility studies and full planning for the project (105MW solar and 50MW battery). We undertook all elements including the pre-application process with the council, site visits, planning and environmental works (Planning reports, ecology, archaeology, noise, transport, hydrology, glint and glare, landscape and visual). This was one of a number of sites for this client who we still work with on various projects across the UK and Ireland (100% successful consent rate). The project was consented in 2021. Neo Environmental also conducted the Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) elements for the project.

Neo Environmental is delighted to have done the Planning and Environmental work for these two consented projects with BNRG.
It is great to see our 35 page detailed Aviation Glint and Glare assessment referenced in the article for the Monread solar farm. Neo Environmental managed all of the work for these developments including the Planning, LVIA, Archaeology & Heritage, Ecology, Noise, Traffic & Transport, Flood Risk & Drainage assessments and Glint & Glare. We look forward to seeing them built-out.

Read more here https://kildare-nationalist.ie/2020/09/30/kildare-leads-ireland-into-the-solar-age/

#solarenergy #renewableenergy #climatechange

Glint and glare assessments predict where and when solar reflections from solar panels occur, measured at 1-minute intervals over the course of a given year. The data captured can help the design process by reducing glint and glare, therefore minimising disruption for planned and existing developments, which has far-reaching consequences for the aviation industry.

Solar panels are designed to absorb as much light as possible and not to reflect it. However, glint can be produced as a reflection of the sun from the surface of a solar PV panel, usually described by those who see it as a momentary flash. Glint often needs to be tackled, especially where it can have a significant visual impact, causing viewer distraction errors on ground-based receptors, or affecting visibility for aviation workers.

Glint and glare can impact upon operators of aerodromes and other aviation infrastructure who need to give the issue due consideration. Neo Environmental’s approach to the problem was to develop an assessment to investigate the impact specifically on these aviation assets, focused on the impacts on Air Traffic Control Towers and on the final approach paths of planes coming into land. The data produced by these assessments is vital for safety.

One of the first assessments produced by Neo was conducted for Aberdeen firm Graham Mitchell Architects. They are currently providing architectural and planning services for a new project on behalf of Charles J Marshall (Aberdeen) Ltd., an important local employer looking to construct a solar farm to secure their company’s energy supply, as well as providing additional income for the business.

The application was for a 250kW ground mounted solar farm at the company’s head office in Chapel Works, Bucksburn, Aberdeen. The solar farm is located 2.1km from Aberdeen’s busy International Airport, the hub for the off-shore oil industry. The assessment entailed a particularly detailed analysis from Neo Environmental, which included a number of helicopter landing pads, for which the approach paths had to be plotted and measured.

A total of seven runways were assessed, as well as the Air Traffic Control Tower, which controls the flight paths for all of the commercial flights in and out of Aberdeen. The final outcome of Neo Environmental’s assessment showed that only two approach paths would be affected by glint and glare from the proposed development.

This impact was within the standard limits, and the report concluded that Graham Mitchell Architects should gain full planning permission. The project was approved in February of this year, and construction is expected to begin soon. Additionally, our report provided an assessment of the impact on Radar, Obstacle Limitation Surfaces and Electromagnetic Interference – providing useful data for the airport’s management, and for the solar farm’s architects. Due to the low height of the consented solar farm, this did not become a major issue.

Our glint and glare assessment procedure is data-rich, precise, and comprehensive. Since the first implementation in Aberdeen, Neo Environmental have had numerous commissions for this service for solar farms in Ireland.

For further details on our Glint and Glare services, please contact our Glasgow office on 0141 773 62 62 or info@neo-environmental.co.uk or contact our Irish Office on 00353 (0)45 844250 or info@neo-environmental.ie.

Our team will gladly advise on the glint and glare requirements for your project, whether it is a solar farm, or any structure with reflective properties.