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HSGWAG. Helmdon, Stuchbury and Greatworth Wind Farm Action Group
Shadow Flicker
HSGWAG will be investigating the potential impacts of shadow flicker as
part of our planning appeal. In the interim here are some summary facts
outlined below.
What is shadow flicker?
The rotating wind turbine blades can cast moving shadows which cause a flickering and strobing effect. Similarly, gloss surfaced blades flash when they rotate. Shadow flicker can severely affect residential amenity of nearby dwellings.
Why does shadow flicker occur?
Shadow flicker occurs when a particular combination of conditions coincide in specific locations at particular times of the day and year. It happens when the sun is low in the sky and shines on a building from behind a turbine rotor. This can cause the shadow of the turbine blades to be cast onto the building, which appears to flick on and off as the turbine rotates. The shadow is more pronounced the closer you are to the turbines.
When does shadow flicker reduce?
At a distance of 10 rotor diameters (or 900m for Broadview's proposed turbines) shadow flicker would be perceptible, but possibly further if the turbines were located on higher land.
Stuchbury Hall Farm, Grange Farm and Station House may be particularly badly affected from a setting or low sun. This is an unacceptable impact on residential amenity.
Developers can only mitigate for shadow flicker by turning the turbines off. This in itself makes nonsense of the Spring Ridge location- it is too close to dwellings.
What is shadow flicker?
The rotating wind turbine blades can cast moving shadows which cause a flickering and strobing effect. Similarly, gloss surfaced blades flash when they rotate. Shadow flicker can severely affect residential amenity of nearby dwellings.
Why does shadow flicker occur?
Shadow flicker occurs when a particular combination of conditions coincide in specific locations at particular times of the day and year. It happens when the sun is low in the sky and shines on a building from behind a turbine rotor. This can cause the shadow of the turbine blades to be cast onto the building, which appears to flick on and off as the turbine rotates. The shadow is more pronounced the closer you are to the turbines.
When does shadow flicker reduce?
At a distance of 10 rotor diameters (or 900m for Broadview's proposed turbines) shadow flicker would be perceptible, but possibly further if the turbines were located on higher land.
Stuchbury Hall Farm, Grange Farm and Station House may be particularly badly affected from a setting or low sun. This is an unacceptable impact on residential amenity.
Developers can only mitigate for shadow flicker by turning the turbines off. This in itself makes nonsense of the Spring Ridge location- it is too close to dwellings.
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Helmdon, Stuchbury & Greatworth Wind Farm Action Group committee and our members.
Although we have tried to be as accurate as possible in relaying facts on issues relating to the
proposed development and the wind industry in general, we cannot be held responsible for any
inaccuracies found therein. If you believe any content to be incorrect or inaccurate please let us
know.