Overview

• Dr Caroline Johnson argued in Parliament that glare from solar farms in Lincolnshire could jeopardize RAF pilots and Red Arrows operations.
• Energy Minister Michael Shanks rebutted the claims, stating that solar panels are designed to absorb light and glare risks are assessed during planning.
• A senior RAF source dismissed safety concerns, asserting that solar panels are unlikely to affect pilots or training operations at nearby airfields.
• Johnson also raised alarms about the impact of solar farms on prime agricultural land in Lincolnshire, which produces 30% of the UK’s vegetables.
• Five large solar farms have already been approved in Lincolnshire, with more projects in the pipeline, as national guidelines require glare assessments near airfields.