Noise Emission, Shadow Flicker and Zone of Visual Influence of a Large Scale Wind Farm

Abstract

This research is to study noise emission, shadow flicker, and zone of visual influence (ZVI), by a large scale wind farm that will be installed in Pakpanang and Huasai districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, and Ranot district in Songkhla province with 138 MW installed capacity. Noise emitted by 60 sets of a large scale wind turbine generator (WTG) and propagation under ambient condition surrounding the WTGs was simulated in order to investigate the sound pressure level (SPL) above ground. Shadow flicker and ZVI were investigated using sun-earth geometry and GPS modeling. Results show that the SPL a.g.l. within 2 km surrounding the WTGs was in the range of 45-55 dB(A). It was higher than background noise that less than 10 dB(A) which under the legislation of Thai’s law for pollution control. Shadow flicker within 100 m was less than 1,0 00 hr accounting for 11% for all year-round. ZVI for 1-5 and 6-10 WTGs was 54 and 18 km² respectively.