Photovoltaic Noise Barriers
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. 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 etc.
Photovoltaic noise barrier along A13 in Switzerland
In 1989, TNC installed the world's first photovoltaic noise barrier alongside the motorway near Chur, Switzerland, stretching just under a kilometer. More than 20 years later, the system is still in operation and delivers more than 100 MWh of electricity annually to the public grid.
Name and location | PV noise barrier along A13, Switzerland |
Operates since | 1989 |
Rated power | 100 kW |
Annual yield | 100 MWh |
Number of modules | 2208 Kyocera modules |
Total PV area | 968 m2 |
Module mounting | Tilt angle 45°, 25° toward E |
Utility interconnection | Siemens central inverter |
TABLE 1: Photovoltaic noise barrier along A13, Switzerland, technical data
Photovoltaic noise barrier along A13, Switzerland
(Image credit: pvresources)
Photovoltaic noise barrier at the A9-motorway, the Netherlands
large photovoltaic (PV) energy system has been integrated into a noise barrier at the A9-motorway near Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (Amsterdam), the Netherlands. The PV-system consists of 2160 modules with module inverters.
Name and location | PV noise barrier along A9 motorway, the Netherlands |
Operates since | 1996 |
Rated power | 220 kW |
Annual yield | 176 MWh |
Number of modules | 2160 Shell Solar cSi modules |
Total PV area | 2200 m2 |
Module mounting | Tilt angle 50° |
Utility interconnection | 2160 module inverters |
TABLE 2: Photovoltaic noise barrier at the A9-motorway, technical data
PV noise barrier at the A9-motorway, the Netherlands
(Image credit: pvresources)
Photovoltaic Noise Barriers Worldwide
Power |
Location [1] | Description [2] | On Grid | Picture |
2.65 MW |
![]() Aschaffenburg |
Noise barrier A3 Image courtesy: Ralos |
2009 |
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1 MW |
![]() Bollberg Thuringia |
Noise barrier along motorway | 2015 | |
1 MW |
![]() Töging am Inn |
Noise barrier A94 | 2007 | |
833 kW |
![]() Oppeano |
Noise barrier S.S. 434 Transpolesana Image courtesy: FAR Systems |
2010 |
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730 kW |
![]() Marano d'Isera |
Noise barrier A22 Image courtesy: FAR Systems |
2009 |
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600 kW |
![]() Freising (Munich) |
Noise barrier A92 Image courtesy: Gehrlicher Solar |
2003-2009 |
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365 kW |
![]() Freiburg |
Noise barrier B31 | 2006 | |
283 kW |
![]() Bürstadt |
Noise barrier B57 Picture courtesy: SolarArt |
2010 |
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216 kW |
![]() Amstelveen |
Noise barrier A9 Image credit: pvresources |
1998 |
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180 kW |
![]() Vaterstetten |
Noise barrier along railway tracks | 2004 | |
123 kW |
![]() Melide |
Noise barrier Gothard Motorway | 2007 | |
104 kW |
![]() Giebenach |
Noise barrier A2 | 1995 | |
103 kW |
![]() Domat/Ems |
Noise barrier A13 Image credit: pvresources |
1989 |
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103 kW |
![]() Gordola |
Noise barrier along railway |
1992 | |
101 kW |
![]() Gleisdorf |
Noise barrier A2 | 2001 | |
100 kW |
![]() Sausenheim |
Noise barrier A6 | 1999 | |
90 kW |
![]() Biessenhofen |
Noise barriere Nestle facility | 2010 | |
80 kW |
![]() Zumikon |
Noise barrier Forchstrasse, Zumikon | 2014 | |
80 kW |
![]() Safenwil |
Noise barrier A1 | 2001 | |
63 kW |
![]() Foquiere |
Noise barrier A21 | 1999 | |
60 kW |
![]() Saarbrücken |
Noise barrier A620 40 kW + 20 kW |
1995 | |
55 kW |
![]() Utrecht |
Noise barrier A27 | 1995 | |
53 kW |
![]() Emden |
Noise barrier A31 Image courtesy: EWE AG |
2003 |
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40 kW |
![]() Seewalchen |
Noise barrier A1 | 1992 | |
30 kW |
![]() Ammersee |
Noise barrier A96 | 1997 | |
30 kW |
![]() Rellingen |
Noise barrier A23 | 1992 | |
28 kW |
![]() Großbettlingen |
"Stoiadler III" noise barrier | 2006 | |
24 kW |
![]() Melbourne |
Tullamarine-Calder Interchange, Essendon Airport, Melbourne Image courtesy: Climate Managers |
2007 |
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12 kW |
![]() Münsingen |
Bifacial PV noise barrier along railway | 2008 | |
10 kW |
![]() Zürich, Aubrugg |
Noise barrier A1, first bifacial PV noise barrier | 1997 | |
9.6 kW |
![]() Zürich, Walliselen |
First photovoltaic noise barrier along railway tracks | 1998 | |
7.544 kW |
![]() München, Pasing |
Transparent noise barrier Image credit: ertex solar |
2013 |
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Notes
[1] | Power is specified in MWp if DC array power is known. If DC array power is unknown than output power is specified. In some cases it is unclear if the power plant power is output or DC array power. |
[2] | Not all of mentioned PV noise barriers are still in operation. List is not complete. All entries are given "as is" without warranties of any kind. |
Additional Information
TNC - Strom statt Lärm - Photovoltaik Schallschutz. |
Books
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Prasad, D., Snow, M.: Designing with Solar Power: A Source Book for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV); Earthscan, London 2005, ISBN 1-844071-47-2. |
Reports
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Eiffert, P., Kiss, G.J.: Building-Integrated Photovoltaic; Designs for Commercial and Institutional Structures - A Sourcebook for Architects, NREL/BK-520-25272, February 2000. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
Papers
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Clavadetscher, L. and Nordmann, Th. (2004), PV on noise barriers, Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, Volume 12, Issue 6, pages 485-496, September 2004. |
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Clavadetscher, L. and Nordmann, Th. (1999) 100 kWp Grid-Connected PV-Installation along the A13 Motorway in Switzerland - Plant Monitoring and Evaluation - Operation and Maintenance, Annual Reports for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, 1990 to 1999. Project No. 32046. |
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Nordmann, Th. et al. (1998) Integrated PV Noise Barriers: Six Innovative 10 kWp Testing Facilities - A German Swiss Technological and Economical Success Story! 2nd World Congress and Exhibition on Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion, Vienna 1998. |
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Nordmann, Th. et al. (1997) Eight Years of Operation Experience with two 100 kWp PV Soundbarriers, 14th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Barcelona, Spain, 1997. |
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Reiche, K. et al. (1997) Integrated PV-Soundbarriers: Results from the International Competition and Realisation of Six 10 kWp Testing Facilities, 14th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Barcelona, Spain, 1997. |
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Hille, G., Reiche, K. (1996) Potential der Photovoltaik auf Lärmschutzwänden an deutschen Verkehrswegen. 11. Symposium Photovoltaische Solarenergie. Staffelstein, Germany, 1996. |
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Nordmann, Th. and Götzberger, A. (1995) Motorway Sound Barriers: The Bifacial North/South concept and the Potential in Germany, 13th European Photovoltaic and Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, 23rd-27th October 1995, Nice, France, p. 707-709. |
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Nordmann, Th. and Götzberger, A. (1994) Motorway Sound Barriers: Recent Results and New Concepts for Advancement of Technology, IEEE First World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Hawaii, December 1994, pp. 766-773. |