Green energy firm warns of bankruptcy over Schiphol solar farm dispute
Belgian green energy company Energy Solutions Group (ESG) says it could be forced into bankruptcy after a court ordered the partial dismantling of its 90 million euro solar panel project near Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. The future of the 230,000-panel installation has been called into question following reports of safety concerns from pilots affected by glare.
In a letter to the airport and several government bodies, the operators of the solar park, known as the Green Energy Corridor (DGEC) said: “Without compensation for costs and damages, this will lead directly to the bankruptcy of DGEC, making the removal of the farm (and thus air traffic safety) even more unlikely, and only increasing the costs and damages for all parties.”
Construction of the 100-hectare solar park began in July 2024, backed by a 90 million euro investment from ESG. The facility, comprising 230,000 solar panels across four fields, officially opened in May 2025 and is expected to generate 23GWh of electricity annually, enough to power around 40,000 households.
However, even before the site became operational, it appeared that the panels were causing glare for pilots landing on Schiphol’s Polderbaan and Zwanenburgbaan runways. The issue rendered both runways unusable between 10.00 and 12.00 in March. According to the airport, similar problems will recur between 28 August and the end of April due to the sun’s position.
Court order
In response, Schiphol appealed to the preliminary relief judge, who ruled this month that DGEC must remove 78,000 panels from two of the fields, citing “disturbing reflections”. The court set deadlines for removal: half by 1 September, the remainder by 15 October.
Schiphol issued an urgent appeal on Friday, calling on authorities to intervene and remove all 230,000 panels.
"DGEC agrees with Schiphol that flight safety should be paramount, but considers the removal of the entire solar farm unnecessary"
“Without action, at least tens of thousands of travellers will be affected and residents near the airport will experience increased noise pollution,” the letter read. “The remaining parts of the solar farm will still cause the blinding glare that pilots previously reported. This leads to unacceptable safety risks, resulting in necessary runway closures.”
Airport management warned that reduced runway capacity could cause hundreds of flight cancellations or severe delays, and cost tens of millions in lost revenue.
Alternative solutions
In its response on Saturday, DGEC said: “DGEC disagrees with this ruling, but will naturally comply with it. DGEC agrees with Schiphol that flight safety should be paramount, but considers the removal of the entire solar farm unnecessary and counterproductive to flight safety.”
DGEC has proposed alternative solutions, such as applying anti-reflective film or a special coating to the panels, saying these would significantly reduce glare at a fraction of the cost of dismantling the entire site. It argues that forced removal would not bring Schiphol closer to a long-term solution.
The aviation authority, part of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, has also called for action, urging the municipality of Haarlemmermeer to revoke the solar farm’s permit.
A decision from the local authority is still pending. Schiphol maintains that dismantling is a “necessary start” while continuing discussions with DGEC to find a lasting solution.
#FlandersNewsService | A solar park near Schiphol Airport. The airport is filing a lawsuit against the owner of solar panels that reflect sunlight in such a way as to blind pilots © PHOTO ANP REMKO DE WAAL
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