ZVI Module
Visual impact and radar visibility mapping for wind turbines
The ZVI (Zone of Visual Influence) module in windPRO makes it easy to calculate and visualise the visibility of wind turbines from any point in the surrounding terrain. Whether you're assessing the cumulative visual impact of a wind farm or ensuring compliance with radar visibility restrictions, ZVI provides the data and visuals you need to make informed planning decisions.
Understand and document how wind turbines are seen in the landscape – from homes, roads, and radar stations
Calculate Wind Turbine Visibility
- See which turbines are fully or partially visible from any location.
- Choose visibility based on hub height or blade tip height.
- Use ZVI to assess how turbines visually affect the landscape.
Measure Visual Impact
- Calculate the vertical subtended angle to show how tall turbines appear.
- Calculate the horizontal subtended angle to show how much of the view the wind farm occupies.
- Easily compare the visual impact from more layouts in one operation.
Plan Around Radar Constraints
-
Use Radar ZVI to identify areas where turbines will not influence or obstruct the radar systems.
-
Generate radar planning maps that show suitable turbine placement zones.
-
Calculate clearance heights to ensure safe and compliant turbine locations.
Advanced Terrain and Obstacle Modeling
ZVI uses digital height data (e.g., SRTM, contour lines, grid files) along with buildings, forests, and other obstacles to create accurate terrain models. This allows for detailed line-of-sight analyses between each observation point and each wind turbine, accounting for earth curvature and atmospheric refraction in radar calculations.
Powerful Visualisation & Reporting
ZVI delivers professional reports and interactive maps that support your project planning and stakeholder communication:
-
Visibility Maps – Show how many turbines are visible from each location.
-
Subtended Angle Maps – Illustrate the apparent size and spread of wind farms.
-
Radar Maps – Reveal turbine clearance heights and radar blind spots.
-
Pie Charts & Tables – Summarise visual impact across the entire landscape.
-
Layer Comparisons – Instantly compare layout options and turbine configurations.
All results can be exported as high-quality graphics, GIS shapefiles, or Google Earth (KMZ) files.
Easily input and edit
-
Wind Turbine layouts (including existing and planned WTGs)
-
Height contour lines or elevation grids
-
Obstacles (e.g. buildings, trees, hedges)
-
Areas with specific heights (e.g. forests or urban zones)
-
Radar locations and elevation
Why Choose ZVI?
- Clearly communicate visual impacts to planners, authorities, and the public
- Assess and mitigate turbine visibility from sensitive locations
- Comply with radar interference and visibility guidelines
- Optimise layout for both performance and aesthetics
Want to visualise how your wind farm will appear in the real world?
ZVI shows you where turbines can be seen – and where they can't.
Recommended Training
Learn more about ZVI with the Shadow & Visual course
These modules might also be interesting for you
Visualization Modules
PHOTOMONTAGE
Visualization of WTGs on photo or artificial landscape.
ANIMATION
Animated presentation of a photomontage.
SketchUp INTEGRATION
Import and export from SketchUp.
Use ZVI for Permitting & Environmental Impact
Permitting wind energy projects requires more than just technical performance — it demands regulatory compliance, environmental sensitivity, and strong community engagement. Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) must be must be thorough and the findings well-communicated or the entire project can face costly delays or rejection.
