Upcoming Glint Engine release: faster calculations, automated road receptors and clearer assessment evidence
Glint Engine continues to advance. Our forthcoming 3.3.0 release brings together the improvements developed across recent revisions, helping assessors prepare projects more efficiently, explore solar reflections in greater detail and present results more clearly.
- Faster calculation: larger cached geometry, AMD Ryzen & AMD threadripper enhanced, reuse of line-of-sight calculations and automatic multicore processing reduces repeated work when assessing larger fixed PV schemes. 45% reduction in time processing for full year screening for large and massive solar arrays (UK assessed)
- Automated road receptors: select start and end points, add via points, discover nearby roads automatically or trace a route manually, then generate assessment points at a chosen spacing.
- Directional road screening: assess separate travel directions with driver view filtering and guided review of the roads included in the project.
- Detailed terrain assessment: automated guided Environment Agency LiDAR acquisition, native resolution terrain analysis, elevation and datum checks, and recorded source provenance strengthen the assessment evidence.
- Explainable terrain blocking: line of sight profiles and first intersection displays show where terrain obstructs a potential reflection path.
- Controlled scenario comparisons: saved terrain screened, retained elevation screening off and flat ground scenarios help explain the influence of topography around the site.
- Finer event sampling: one minute and 30 second calculation options support detailed examination of short reflection events (important for large sites)
- Clearer result displays: clearer annual occurrence calendars, optional event counts, clearer sunrise and sunset context, and site sun path plots make results easier to interpret.
- Improved maps and Google Earth exports: clear line keys, exact position markers, optional labels and organised KML/KMZ layers support project review and presentation.
- Stronger traceability: saved inputs, software build identity, terrain provenance and run audits preserve a clear record of each assessment.
- Better help index: enhanced help index and help search redesigned to enable the user
- Quick start option: location proof of concept for a quick check of the magnitude of possible impacts and effects
These advances combine practical workflow improvements with detailed engineering evidence, supporting efficient review from project preparation through to exported assessment results.
Take part in beta testing
Upcoming Glint Engine new release to include faster multicore calculations, automated directional road receptors, enhanced terrain evidence and clearer maps, calendars and exports.
Please download the beta testing software from https://www.gtechsurveys.co.uk/glint-engine/ via your login credentials. Stable version 2.8.0 is also available.
Developed by GTech Surveys, drawing on our experience in impact assessment and consultancy since 2006. Used by GTech Surveys since 2020 for solar and PV Glint and Glare Assessment peer review.