Eastern Region - Environmental

The Notice below establishes interim FAA policy for proposals by sponsors of federally obligated airports to construct solar energy systems on airport property. The interim policy for FAA Review of Solar Energy System Projects on Federally Obligated Airports provides the standards for measuring ocular impact of a proposed solar energy system. It also provides direction for accessing a web-based tool for assessing ocular impact and explains the requirements for the airport sponsor to seek FAA approval to construct a solar energy system on an a federally obligated airport.

• Federal Register Notice: Interim Policy, FAA Review of Solar Energy System Projects on Federally Obligated Airports (78 FR 63276) (PDF)
• Comments Matrix for Interim Policy Statement (MS Word)

Opportunity to Comment

To comment, use the Comments Matix provided above, cite specific portions of the proposal, and explain the reason for any recommended changes. Use one of the following methods to submit comments by November 22, 2013:

• Email: 9-APP-Comment@faa.gov
• Fax: 1-202-267-5302
• Mail: FAA Office of Airports, Office of Airport Planning and Programming, Routing Symbol APP 400, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 615, Washington, DC 20591. Please send two copies of the matrix.
• Hand Delivery: Use "Mail" address above; between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please provide two copies of the matrix.

Important Note about November 2010 Siting Guidance

The interim policy replaces the guidance for reflectivity found in Section 3.1.2 of the "Technical Guidance for Evaluating Selected Solar Technologies on Airports". Users of the Technical Guidance should now follow the processes and procedures outlined in the Interim Policy Document instead of those in Section 3.1.2. As of October 23, 2013, the FAA is reviewing multiple sections of the "Technical Guidance for Evaluating Selected Solar Technologies on Airports" based on new information and field experience, particularly with respect to compatibility and glare. All users of this guidance are hereby notified that significant content in this document may be subject to change, and the FAA cautions users against relying solely on this document at this time.

• Solar Guide: Technical Guidance for Evaluating Selected Solar Technologies on Airports [View Onscreen (PDF, 6.21 MB) | Print (PDF, 14.5 MB)]