Herrington Consulting are specialist Light consultants. We work on projects ranging from individual private builds and extensions to high rise developments and Motorway Service Areas, working with architects, developers, retailers, and planners. When you need help delivering your project on time with the optimal commercial outcomes, whilst minimising solar glint and glare impacts, our team of experts is always happy to talk you through and advice on the technical requirements needed for planning.
What is a Solar Glint and Glare Assessment?
Glint and Glare Assessments are technical evaluations conducted to understand the potential impact of reflective surfaces, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, on the surrounding environment. These assessments are often required to support planning permission, for ensuring that new developments are designed with consideration for their environmental and social impact. They are particularly important for developments that include solar PV installations or buildings with large glass surfaces and/or are located near infrastructure such as airports or railways.
Why the need to assess?
“Glint and glare” is the general term used to describe the reflection of sunlight from a reflective surface, typically one that is capable of producing specular solar reflections. Glint is defined as a momentary flash of bright light typically received by moving receptors or from moving reflectors, whilst glare is a continuous source of bright light, typically received by static receptors or from large reflective surfaces.
Solar glint and glare is a phenomenon caused by the concentrated source intensity of light and it can manifest in the built environment when the sun is reflected off infrastructure or building façades. In certain situations the scattering of light inside the eye can become visually disabling resulting in impaired vision. This impairment can present particular hazards to pilots, and drivers of vehicles and trains, and needs to be assessed.
The Solar Glint and Glare Assessment quantifies the potential for this disabling glare to present unacceptable risks in the vicinity of a building or infrastructure such as solar panels.
How we work
Herrington promotes a commercially balanced, phased approach to all types of lighting assessment with initial scoping assessments which may be used to address planning conditions in low sensitivity locations or to support a planning application, followed by more design / receptor specific assessment and constraint modelling where an issue has been identified requiring a higher level of consideration.
Using industry proven modelling techniques and software to model for scenarios such as an aircraft on final approach or a train driver as they pass a signal, if a potential risk is identified, Herrington works with the team and the client on layout modifications (such as changes to panel tilt and elevation angle) which can often alleviate concerns and overcome objections. Our approach is to be comprehensive but cost effective and importantly, be team players for the wider project.
What our Clients say
Private Client“I have to say it is had been a very smooth process from start to finish.
I definitely plan to use yourselves again on future projects.”
