Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belgian company Energy Solutions Group must remove 78,000 of 230,000 solar panels at Schiphol Airport after a court order; pilots reported glare. CEO Bert Creemers cites urgent safety and financial risks.
As GVA News reported, the solar panels from a Belgian company, Energy Solutions Group (ESG), at Schiphol Airport that were causing glare for pilots are being taken down after a court ordered their removal. The solar park sits directly under the flight paths of the Polderbaan and Zwanenburgbaan runways. Pilots had reported being temporarily blinded by reflections from the panels while landing, which created serious safety risks.
The court ruled that De Groene Energie Corridor (DGEC), the owner, must dismantle 78,000 panels out of the total 230,000 in 2 stages, with deadlines on September 1, 2025, and October 15, 2025. The remaining 150,000 panels are also expected to be removed as soon as possible. The glare from the panels had already caused temporary runway closures and prompted Schiphol Airport and KLM to take legal action to protect pilots and passengers.
What risks does Belgian DGEC face after removing 78,000 Schiphol panels?
The panels were built using lightly textured glass that reflects more sunlight than the recommended deep-textured glass. The municipality of Haarlemmermeer had approved the solar park even though warnings had been raised about the potential glare hazard. Schiphol Airport says the other panels in the remaining fields also create risks and should be taken down.
The future of the solar park near Amsterdam, known as the Groene Energie Corridor, may now be secured through a structural solution agreed upon by several organisations. The plan addresses the glare issue that caused major safety issues at Schiphol airport.
The organisations have reopened agreements with the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management, and all have committed substantial monetary resources to help make the plan. The exact amounts of money involved have not been disclosed.
“The energy transition sometimes presents challenging issues. Thanks to the excellent collaboration with all parties involved, we can combine sustainable energy and aviation safety,”
Says Bert Creemers, director of DGEC and CEO of Energy Solutions Group, in a press release.
The solar park was developed by Belgian green energy company Energy Solutions Group (ESG), based in Heusden-Zolder. ESG invested €90 million in the project and acquired De Groene Energie Corridor in early 2024.
Construction of the park began in July 2024, and it has been fully operational since May 2025, according to the company’s website. Earlier this month, the Green Energy Corridor sent a warning letter stating that a forced demolition of the park could lead to bankruptcy.
