Wind Turbine Colour - Windmill Painting
Selecting the most appropriate colour for a turbine(s) is an important part of detailed windfarm design and mitigation. It has previously been assumed that wind turbines could be painted a colour that would camouflage them against their background. Experience has shown that it is not possible to ‘hide’ turbines. There are a large number of variables which affect visibility of wind turbines.
These include:
–the immediate landscape context and anticipated backcloth against which the turbines will be viewed predominantly (for example sky, heather moorland, woodland, sea horizon). Colour contrast is an important factor affecting visibility. Generally, the base of a turbine is seen against the land and the tower and moving blades seen against the sky, so colour choice will inevitably be a compromise between reducing contrast with the land or with the sky;
–the direction the turbines will most frequently be viewed from (including the angle of the sun and how it is likely to reflect on the wind turbines);
–the predominant weather conditions (which will dictate typical sky colour and will vary for different parts of the country);
–seasonal variation in landscape colours;
–the number and type of viewer (e.g. resident, worker, recreational)and the nature of the viewpoint;
–distance from the development. Colour is most apparent in close views, and in these situations turbines are most likely to be viewed against the sky;
–the proposed design and layout of the windfarm; and other windfarms within the area.
Colour choice is therefore likely to be an ‘on-balance’ judgement based on a clear design objective or objectives, in order for these to be tested. Examples of design objectives may include:
-reduce visual impacts;
-camouflage;
-integrate with the landscape;
-reinforce local identity;
-reduce cumulative effects; or
-make a statement.
When dealing with a situation where a large number of variables exist, it is important to focus on one or two key design objectives.
As a general rule for m
ost rural areas of Scotland:
–a single colour of turbine is generally preferable;
–the use of graded colours at the turbine base should be avoided as public perception studies have demonstrated that aesthetic unity is viewed favourably. Therefore graduated schemes, or turbines with colour variation, should be used with caution;
–a light grey colour generally achieves the best balance between reducing visibility and visual impacts when seen against the sky, although this works less well when viewed against the land;
–the use of coloured turbines (such as greens, browns or ochres) in an attempt to disguise wind turbines against a landscape backcloth is usually unsuccessful although variation from the standard light grey colour may be successful when the wind farm is backclothed from important viewpoints or receptors. The chosen turbine colour should respond to the character of the site and its setting;
-light coloured turbines seen against a land backdrop may have greater prominence than light or dark turbines seen against the sky;
-there is more scope to vary the colour of smaller turbines, which are often located on lower ground than larger turbines, and therefore more often backclothed by land;
–paint reflection should be minimised. Texture is an important factor in reducing reflectivity, and matt or light absorbent finishes are preferable;
–for multiple wind farm groups or wind farm extensions, cumulative colour effects will be a key consideration.Astrategic approach to turbine colour
is desirable and the colour of turbines should generally be consistent;
–precise colour tone and the degree of paint reflectivity should be specified at the application stage. Commercial implications may be a limitation to varying turbine colour on a commercial scale, including cost, availability, lead
-in-time and weathering/fading;
-colour may be subject to aviation restrictions or,for off
-shore turbines, navigational requirements. For example it is a navigational safety requirement for the base of off
-shore turbines to be coloured bright yellow for 25 metres above sea level.
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