Findings
• Casino and hotel resorts exist in Keesler AFB ’ s runway approach and departure corridors .
• Local jurisdictions do not specifically regulate building materials relative to the flight mission at Keesler AFB .
ISSUE LG‐2
Reflective Materials from Solar Farms Reflective panels on large‐scale solar farm developments can create glint and glare which can affect pilot visibility and is of concern on aircraft approaches . A solar farm is proposed approximately five miles north of Keesler AFB .
Glare produced by sunlight reflected from untreated solar photovoltaic panels can cause blinding conditions and other secondary visual problems like temporary after‐image or retinal burn .
Reflectivity refers to light that is reflected off of surfaces . The potential impacts of reflectivity are glint and glare which can cause a brief loss of vision . The primary concern with this issue is if this loss of vision occurs when operating vehicles or other machines in the area including aircraft . This temporary vision impairment can increase the risk profile in this area for accidents . Solar energy facilities could cause substantial amounts of glare depending on their type , location , angle and direction , resulting in a reduction of a pilot ’ s view , even at a very high altitude .
The amount of reflectivity varies greatly among solar technologies with concentrated solar power technologies being highly reflective and photo voltaic ( PV ) being primarily absorptive . Because solar energy projects introduce new visual surfaces to the airport setting where reflectivity could result in glare that causes flash blindness episodes on pilots or air traffic
controllers , reflectivity requires study during pr amount of analysis will depend on site‐specific
There is a 57‐acre solar farm considered north o farm would be part of an energy project for the solar energy for powering the city ’ s fleet of veh still in its infancy , it underscores the need for a Keesler AFB .
Compatibility Assessment To avoid potential mission impacts , the Air Forc regulatory agencies , state and local governmen community to communicate concerns early in t development process and achieve compatible s farms in proximity to military installations is sub Energy Siting Clearinghouse . The main respons Siting Clearinghouse is to comprehensively revie energy projects and their possible effects on Do projects , factors that would need to be submitt the heights of the solar panels , the layout of the acreage , and the overall nature of the project . military training routes or airspace must underg which would determine whether or not the pro navigable airspace based on various factors . W unlikely that a project would be approved that w mission of the Air Force at Keesler AFB .
On the local level , the City of Biloxi has an Airpo identified as the Height Hazard Overlay . Within create glare for pilots at Keesler AFB during tak related use , such as solar farms , related to aviat other parts of the city .
Background Report