Visual Impact Assessment for Wind Turbines
The visual impact assessment shows how the planned turbines will appear in the existing landscape — and is a mandatory component of the formal BImSchG permitting procedure. It is also the most important communication tool for public engagement events with citizens and local politicians.
What is delivered?
- ZVI map (Zone of Visual Influence) — visibility analysis: from which areas the turbines are visible, and from which they are obscured
- Photomontages from 6–12 representative viewpoints: current state + photomontage with planned turbines, identical camera data
- Landscape scenery assessment: impact evaluation under the protected asset "landscape"
- Pre-existing impact assessment from existing turbines + infrastructure
- Recommendations: optimise turbine positioning, height limitation, construction cut
Selection of viewpoints
Authority requirement: 6–12 viewpoints, selected according to the following criteria:
- Nearest settlements (3 main views per locality, from entrance roads and main streets)
- Important crossroads and hiking trails
- Touristically significant vantage points (hilltop churches, castles, observation towers)
- Representative residential buildings (from the district with the strongest visual impact)
- Protected areas (nature reserves, landscape protection areas, recreational areas)
- Cultural heritage monuments in the line of sight
Technical standards
| Parameter | Standard |
|---|---|
| Focal length (full-frame equiv.) | 50 mm (normal); 35 mm for long-distance views |
| Camera height | 1.60 m (eye level) |
| Photo timing | Foliage-dependent (summer + winter variant) |
| Weather conditions | Clear visibility, blue sky or light cloud cover |
| Software standards | WindPRO, WindFarmer; LandschaftsPro for photomontage |
| Turbine geometry | Exact modelling from manufacturer geometry data |
| Print format | A3 landscape, 300 dpi, calibrated print |
Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) — visibility analysis with terrain profile and map view
What does it cost?
Indicative range: EUR 4,000 – 18,000. Factors:
- Number of viewpoints (6 vs. 12)
- On-site photography + weather conditions (waiting time for good conditions)
- Summer + winter variant (doubles the effort)
- Topographic complexity (hilly terrain more expensive than flat land)
- Animation/video options (rare, but useful for public referendums)
Who prepares this?
Specialised landscape/visualisation consultancies or the turbine manufacturers themselves (with a WindPRO licence). Important: calibration against on-site photographs, documented camera data, and where applicable comparison with existing turbines in the region.
Commission a visual impact assessment
We connect you with a consultancy experienced in WindPRO — including the 360° online variant for public engagement events if desired.
Request a quoteFrequently asked questions
Are computer renderings sufficient, or must photomontages be used?
Pure renderings are not accepted — the authorities require photomontages in which the turbine is rendered into an actual on-site photograph. This ensures realistic scale accuracy and lighting conditions.
How far can the turbine position be shifted for a favourable image?
Not at all — the visualisation must exactly match the planned turbine position. If the position changes during the procedure, the photomontages must be updated.
What about summer/winter changes?
Deciduous vs. bare vegetation can significantly alter visibility. For high-value landscape areas, the authority often requires both variants — for average sites, usually only the most critical one (winter).
What about night views / BNK?
With demand-driven night-time marking (BNK), the aviation obstruction lighting is very rarely active. A separate night view is therefore usually not required — a textual note in the report is sufficient.