Photovoltaic noise barriers

Should you think this web site needs improvement, don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be happy of any constructive criticism. Any comments on terminology and web site content are appreciated. E-mail them to:

Noise barriers with photovoltaic modules

"If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would astound ourselves."
(Thomas A. Edison)

Noise barrier along A13 in Switzerland - photo Denis Lenardic Noise barrier along A31 near Emden, Germany - courtesy EWE AG Noise barrier along A9 in Amsterdam - photo Denis Lenardic

Noise barriers along A13 in Switzerland, A31 in Germany and A9 in the Netherlands
(pictures photo/courtesy: EWE AG, Denis Lenardic).

Noise barriers - Barriers for reducing the propagation of sound: they are widely used in industry and alongside roads and railways to shield receivers from noise sources. Barriers can be made of various materials but they need proper planning in order to be effective.

(European Environment Agency, Glossary - http://glossary.eea.eu.int/EEAGlossary/N/noise_barrier)

An efficient way of noise prevention by application of photovoltaic modules was first demonstrated in Switzerland in 1989. Later, the solution was applied also in some other European countries. Noise prevention is also a research subject of several projects conducted in European Union. Different photovoltaic noise barriers can be built considering motorway features, barrier construction, the height of the barrier, and other factor influence (environment etc.). Modules are fixed on the main barrier (a wood or a solid barrier) in different ways, such as vertical, tilted fixed as a zigzag construction (for details please refer to the literature).

Some photovoltaic noise barriers built in european countries

Noise barrier along A13 in Switzerland

Construction year: 1989
Number of modules: 2208 Kyocera polycristalline modules
Modul area: 968 m²
Tilt and azimuth: 45^o / 25^otoward east
Peak power: 100 kW
Energy Supply: 110 000 kWh/Year
Inverter: Siemens central inverter

100 kW PV Noise barrier along A13 in Switzerland
(photo: Denis Lenardic)

Noise barrier along A13 in Switzerland

Power energy meter in PV system along A13 Motorway in Switzerland
(photo: Denis Lenardic)

More information on the Swiss photovoltaic systems can be found following the link VSE - Verein Schweizerischer Elektrizitätsunternehmen. In the table below you can find some facts on the largest European photovoltaic noise barriers.

Noise barrier along A9 in Amsterdam

Construction year: 1996
Number of modules: 2160 Shell Solar Monocristalline Modules
Modul area: 2200 m²
Tilt angle: 50^o
Peak power: 220 kW
Energy supply: 176 000 kWh/Year
Inverter: 2160 module inverters

Noise barrier along A9 in Netherlands

Noisebarrier along A9 in Amsterdam
(photo: Denis Lenardic)

Power	Location	Description	Constructed	MWh/GHG	Picture
499 kW	Germany, Freising (Munich) Picture courtesy: Gehrlicher Umweltschonende Energiesysteme GmbH	Noise barrier along A92 motorway GC, NB Special ceramics for back side used. 1080 I-50 modules, 6750 I-50 CER modules, special ceramics for back side used. 12 x Sunpower SP40000 inverters	Gehrlicher Umweltschonende Energiesysteme GmbH/Isofoton 2003	475 MWh
216 kW	The Netherlands, A9, Amstelveen Photo: Denis Lenardic	A9 noise barrier NB, GC	1998
180 kW	Germany Vaterstetten	400 m long noise barrier along railway tracks NB, GC	Phönix SonnenStrom AG 2004.
123 kW	Switzerland, Melide (Tessin)	Noise barrier along Gothard motorway 585 STM 120 modules	SunTechnics Fabrisolar AG July 2007	130 MWh 100 tons CO₂ emmision reduction annually
101 kW	Austria, Gleisdorf	Noise barrier along A2 motorway near Graz 1520 SOLAREX MST-MV 43 modules 357 PW1000 Photowatt modules.	2001	80 MWh
100 kW	Germany, Sausenheim	Noise barrier along the A6 motorway.	Pfalzwerke AG, Solon AG 1999	70 MWh
100 kW	Switzerland, Domat/Ems Picture courtesy: IEA PVPS Task 2	World's first photovoltaic noise barrier along the A13 motorway.	1989
100 kW	Switzerland, Giebenaach	Noise barrier along the A2 motorway.	1995
80 kW	Switzerland, Safenwil	Noise barrier along the A1 motorway.	2001
63 kW	France, Foquiere	Noise barrier along the A21, Lens - Calais motorway.	1999
40 kW+ 20 kW	Germany, Saarbrücken	Noise barrier along A620 motorway Saarbrücken - Gündingen. 429 transparent modules GPV 110 + 264 BP275 modules used.	1995	50 MWh
55 kW	The Netherlands, Utrecht	Noise barrier along the A27 motorway.	1995
53 kW	Germany, Emden Picture courtesy: EWE AG	Noise barrier along the A31 motorway. Project partners EWE AG, BP Solar, Land Niedersachsen.	EWE AG 2003	32 MWh
40 kW	Austria, Seewalchen	Noise barrier along A1 motorway near Salzburg.	1992
30 kW	Germany, Ammersee	Noise barrier along A96 München-Lindau motorway.	June 1997	25 MWh
30 kW	Germany, Rellingen	Noise barrier along the A23 motorway.	1992
28 kW	Germany, Großbettlingen	PV system "Stoiadler III" mounted on noise barrier in Großbettlingen.	2006
24 kW	Australia, Melbourne Picture courtesy: Climate Managers	Tullamarine- Calder Interchange, adjacent to Essendon Airport, Melbourne GC, NB Schott Solar aSi modules	June 2007
10 kW	Switzerland, Zürich - Aubrugg	First bifacial photovoltaic noise barrier along the A1 motorway.	1997
9,6 kW	Switzerland, Zürich - Walliselen	First photovoltaic noise barrier along the railway tracks.	1998

Interesting noise barriers related web sites

TNC - Die TNC Consulting AG ist ein kleines, unabhängiges und interdisziplinär tätiges Team von Fachleuten mit einem Kompetenzschwerpunkt Photovoltaik und Planung, Durchführung und Management von Projekten bei der Energieeffizienz und im Bereich der erneuerbaren Energien.

Languages:
Webmaster's choice - interesting description of some european noise barrier projects. Comprehensive download section.

Literature and more information

Prasad, D., Snow, M.: Designing with Solar Power; a source book for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV); The Images Publishing Group Pty.Ltd. and Earthscan, London 2005.
Eiffert, P., Kiss, G.J.: Building-Integrated Photovoltaic; Designs for Commercial and Institutional Structures - A Sourcebook for Architects (9766 kB).

Borg, N.J.C.M, Jansen, M.I.: Photovoltaic noise barrier at the A9-highway in The Netherlands - Results of the monitoring programme; Nuon International, European Commission, 2001. (6324 kB).
Thermie B Project: EU PVNB POT: Evaluation of the potencial of PV noise barrier technology for electricity production and market share; Project Number: SME 1479-97, Final Report Volume 1, TNC Gmbh, 1999.
Thermie B Project: EU PVNB POT: Evaluation of the potencial of PV noise barrier technology for electricity production and market share; Project Number: SME 1479-97, Final Report Volume 2 (Annex), TNC Gmbh, 1999.