Open landscape
Landscape and visual impact assessment for solar farms
Effect of ground-mounted installations on the landscape: calculated visibility in the official surface model, viewpoints in the 3D model and a traceable evaluation for the near and far zone.
Geodata: © GeoBasis-DE / GeoSN (2025), dl‑de/by‑2‑0
Background
Ground-mounted photovoltaic installations change the appearance of a landscape. In the permitting procedure – for example in the environmental report or when weighing objections – the question therefore regularly arises: From where can the installation be seen, and how strong is its effect there?
The analysis answers it by calculation on the basis of the official digital surface model (DSM), which includes buildings and vegetation as well as the terrain.
Scope of the analysis
- Near and far zone – residents up to about 1 km, viewpoints up to about 10 km
- Each viewpoint as a view in the 3D model – understandable for the municipal council and the public as well
- Cumulative effect with neighbouring existing installations
- Recommendations on where screening planting reduces the effect
Six criteria for a traceable evaluation
The evaluation follows a fixed matrix based on the recommendations of the KNE (Kompetenzzentrum Naturschutz und Energiewende, German Competence Centre for Nature Conservation and the Energy Transition). The decisive parameter is derived from the six criteria: the dominant influence of the installation on the landscape – low, medium or high.
| Criterion | Content |
|---|---|
| Visibility | Proportion of the installation area to which there is a clear line of sight from the viewpoint |
| Distance | Distance between viewpoint and installation |
| Horizontal extent | Width of the visible module tables in the field of view, including existing installations |
| Vertical extent | Mean vertical visual angle of the visible module tables |
| Pre-existing visual impact | Technical character of the area due to railways, commercial uses, power lines or existing installations |
| Reflection and glare | Approximate classification of possible reflections towards the observers |
Analysis procedure
Step 1 – Visibility
A visibility analysis in the surface model shows from where the installation can be seen.
Step 2 – Viewpoint in the 3D model
For each viewpoint, the line of sight is calculated and the view is reproduced in the 3D model.
Step 3 – Far zone
From viewpoints, the effect within the overall landscape is examined.
Result: a traceable report
You receive a report with
- Visibility maps for the near and far zone
- Site plan, modelled view and evaluation for each viewpoint
- A summary with recommendations
- On request, photorealistic visualisations of selected viewpoints
Photorealistic visualisation
Based on photographs that we take on site at the relevant viewpoints, we create photorealistic views of the planned installation. Module tables, fence and stations are inserted into the photograph in their correct position – so it becomes visible before construction how the installation appears from the farm track, from the edge of the village or from the viewpoint.
The visualisation supplements the landscape impact assessment with clear images, for example for the municipal council, public information or the environmental report. It can also be commissioned as a separate service.
Along a farm track
Near zone
Frequently asked questions
When is a landscape impact assessment useful?
When the effect on the landscape becomes an issue in the procedure – for large or several neighbouring installations, in landscapes with little existing visual impact, close to settlements or below viewpoints. The earlier it is available, the more readily the site layout and screening planting can still be adjusted.
Are existing installations taken into account?
Yes. Horizontal and vertical extent are determined including neighbouring existing installations, so that the cumulative effect of existing and planned installations is captured. Existing technical character is also included as pre-existing visual impact.
Is glare also assessed?
As an approximate estimate, as one of the six criteria. A time-resolved calculation according to the guidance of the LAI (German Working Group on Immission Control) is the subject of a separate glare assessment.
Is a site visit required?
Not necessarily for the analysis. It is based on high-resolution official geodata. Small-scale structures such as individual hedges or new plantings may differ in detail; the report states this. For photorealistic visualisations we take the photographs on site.
Can I commission the visualisation without a landscape impact assessment?
Yes. The photorealistic visualisation is a separate service and can optionally supplement the landscape impact assessment.
How long does a landscape impact assessment take?
Usually two to three weeks after receipt of complete documents. If it is urgent, please contact us.
Enquiry
Use the form, call us on +49 4103 121 4221 or write to kontakt@sonnwinn.de – whichever suits you best.
You do not need to attach documents to your enquiry – once we have received it, we will help you put together the documents required.
Which documents are helpful
- Site plan or layout plan of the installation, preferably as DWG, shapefile or KML
- Details of the module tables (height, orientation) and screening planting
- If available: development plan, environmental report and comments from the authority