Noise emissions generated by the operation of a photovoltaic solar farm were investigated as part of a noise complaint investigation.
The solar farm has a generation capacity of approximately 1 megawatt (MW) that provides power to approximately 250 dwellings, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 420,000 kg per annum.
An attended noise survey was undertaken on and in the vicinity of the solar farm, which included narrowband Fast Fourier Transform noise measurements in proximity to the solar farm’s inverters and HV transformer plant and the measurement of narrowband frequency and broadband A-weighted Lmax, Leq,T and L90,T noise levels in the far-field.
A noise model of the solar farm was developed using the SoundPLAN noise modelling software and used for the prediction and disaggregation of plant noise components in the far-field and to investigate the sound reduction afforded by the installation of a noise barrier, for the attenuation of the solar farm’s operational noise levels at residential receptors.