Cambridge Ice Arena applies for solar panels on its roof

Plans have been submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council for 156 solar panels on Cambridge Ice Arena.

The application seeks permission for 286 square metres of solar PV panels to be installed on the pitched roof of the arena in Newmarket Road.

The panels would be oriented in an eastwards direction to align with the slope of the roof and are proposed to remain in a fixed position throughout the day and during the year.

“The panels will face east (100 degrees) and will be inclined at an angle of 16 degrees,” the report states.

Solar panels are designed to absorb as much light as possible and not to reflect it. However, glint can be produced as a reflection of the sun from the surface of the panel.

A report examining the glint and glare of the proposed panels over a 30km area found the overall impact of the PVs to be acceptable and “not significant”.

The report looked at Cambridge City Airport and Duxford airfield.

The decision on whether or not to grant permission for the proposal will be made by officers unless the application is called in by councillors.