Brussels Airport Warehouse Installs 8.5 MW Brussels Airport solar System with Anti-Glare Tech
In a significant step forward for renewable energy in logistically sensitive areas, a massive 8.5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) system has been installed on a warehouse rooftop near Brussels-Charleroi Airport. Spearheaded by the Belgian logistics company Warehouses De Pauw (WDP), this project showcases a critical innovation: the use of advanced anti-glare technology to ensure the safety of air traffic while harnessing the power of the sun.
While the title mentions Brussels Airport, it’s important to clarify that the installation is located in Heppignies, near the Brussels-Charleroi Airport. This project stands as a powerful example of how technological advancements are overcoming barriers to clean energy deployment.
The Challenge: Solar Glare vs. Aviation Safety near Brussels Airport
The widespread adoption of solar energy is crucial, but installations near airports present a unique and serious challenge: glare. The reflective surfaces of solar panels can produce intense specular reflections that have the potential to disorient or temporarily blind pilots during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing.
This is not a theoretical concern. In 2024, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport had to remove 78,000 solar modules due to glare-related safety issues, highlighting the pressing need for a viable solution. Any large-scale solar project near an airfield must first and foremost guarantee that it will not interfere with the safety of flight operations.
An Innovative Solution on the Roof: Brussels Airport solar
To address this challenge head-on, WDP’s project team implemented a targeted and technologically advanced strategy. The installation, which consists of approximately 12,000 solar modules, underwent a rigorous glare risk evaluation during the planning phase.
The project required and received approval from Belgium’s air traffic control operator, Skeyes, and the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA). While the orientation of the panels was optimized to minimize reflections, a significant portion of the array still required further mitigation.
The solution came in the form of specialized anti-glare films developed by the German firm Phytonics. These films were applied to roughly 40% of the modules—around 5,000 panels—identified as posing the greatest potential risk to pilots.
High Performance Without Compromise: Brussels Airport solar
A key factor in the project’s success is that the anti-glare technology does not significantly compromise the system’s energy output. According to Phytonics, the films allow 95-97% of the nominal power output when sunlight is perpendicular to the panels. Interestingly, they may even boost energy production at oblique angles of light, with only a minimal impact on total annual energy yield.
The films were applied on-site for this project, demonstrating their versatility, though options for pre-coated modules are also available.
A Blueprint for Future Brussels Airport solar Projects
This installation is more than just a power source; it’s a blueprint for future renewable energy projects in and around sensitive infrastructure. For WDP, rooftop solar is a core component of its sustainability strategy. Ruben Vandam, the company’s energy manager, emphasized the importance of maximizing available roof space to meet renewable energy goals, even in complex locations like airport peripheries.
The growing demand for such solutions indicates a broader trend. Phytonics CEO Ruben Hüning noted that the technology is increasingly being deployed at other sites adjacent to airports.
The successful commissioning of the 8.5 MW system near Brussels-Charleroi Airport proves that with careful planning and innovative technology, the goals of green energy production and aviation safety can successfully coexist. It demonstrates a clear path forward for unlocking the vast potential of commercial and industrial rooftops for solar generation, no matter their location.
