Travis AFB Sustainability Study Report Final Background Report | Page 160
facilities must be reviewed by the ALUC and are required to conduct a glint
and glare study based on the SGHAT model. Solano County has adopted an
ordinance prohibiting commercial scale solar facilities to prevent conversion
of agricultural lands. Commercial solar facilities are considered any solar
array that coverts solar energy to utility power for the primary purpose of
resale or off‐site use. There are no regulations restricting non‐commercial
or residential solar panels.
Commercial wind turbines typically reach a total height over 300 feet above
ground level (AGL), often ranging between 300 to 400 feet AGL, with newer
models increasing to over 400 feet AGL, to reach better wind resources. It is
required by the LUCP that new wind turbines over 100 feet AGL must not be
within a line‐of‐sight of the Travis AFB Digital Airport Surveillance Radar
(DASR), with placement reviewed by the ALUC. Appendix H of the LUCP
provides viewsheds where 100‐foot, 200‐foot, 300‐foot, 400‐foot, and
500‐foot tall objects would likely be within the line‐of‐sight of the Travis AFB
DASR. These viewsheds are shown on Figures 5.8‐2, 5.8‐3, 5.8‐4, 5.8‐5, and
5.8‐6. A comparison of the Travis AFB DASR line‐of‐sight viewshed with the
map of wind energy potential, in Figure 5.8‐1, shows that placement of wind
turbines greater than 100 feet AGL is limited in areas that are considered
outstanding and excellent for wind resource potential. Wind turbine
placement is also limited in the eastern portion of the county where wind
resource potential is considered fair and marginal.
Source: Travis AFB LUCP, /www.bcse.org/sustainableenergyfactbook/
Since the 2015 Travis LUCP update has been in place, there have been no
new wind facilities proposed.
Relative to solar energy, solar facilities could cause glare depending on their
type, location, angle and direction, resulting in a reduction of a pilot’s view,
even at a very high altitude.
Solar facilities are regulated by the Travis AFB LUCP to prevent any reflective
glint and glare hazards to aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers. Travis AFB
uses the Sandia National Laboratories‐developed Solar Glare Hazard Analysis
Tool (SGHAT) that analyzes proposed solar array systems and recommends
mitigation methods if needed. This method provides predictions of
potential glare impacts and allows for evaluation of design alternatives to
avoid those impacts.
Regulations for solar energy in the Travis AFB LUCP include restricting
commercial‐scale solar facilities with the potential for glint or glare that
would impact an existing or planned airport traffic control tower or
approach path. All new or expansion of existing commercial‐scale solar
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Figure 5.8‐2.
DASR Line‐of‐Sight Viewshed for 100 Foot Objects
Compatibility Assessment