America Free Zone

Detailed glare and wind studies to support the safe operation of a helipad and nearby solar panels

The America Free Zone is a 100-acre corporate campus in Costa Rica that incorporates solar panels to reduce energy consumption and support its overall sustainability record. The facility’s contractors wanted to understand how the installation of additional PV panels to the roof of a building could affect – and be affected by – the operation of a nearby helipad. There were two main issues to consider: glare and “wind” from the operation of the helicopter’s rotors during takeoff and landing. After working to understand the facility’s context and priorities, we undertook analyses that would ensure safe operating conditions for the helipad while protecting the client’s commitment to renewable energy.