EU PVNB POT: Evaluation of the potential of pv noise barrier technology for the electric production and market share

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 98.0216

Key words (English)

Photovoltaics; Sound Barrier; Solar Power

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: SME/1479/97-DE

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 5.1 Nonnuclear energies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

TNC GmbH Freiburg i.B., ENEA Rom, Phebus Lyon, Utrecht University, Frauenhofer Gesellschaft ISE Freiburg i.B., University of Northumbria Newcastle

Abstract (English)

Under the co-ordination of TNC GmbH Germany, a study on the potential of photovoltaics on noise barriers was elaborated. It was supported by the EU-THERMIE programme. The analysis of existing and planned noise barriers along rails and roads has been carried out by the national partners together with national authorities, which are experts and responsible for the required data. The methodical approach of this study includes the set-up of a grid along longitude and latitudes with a 1 by 1 degree for Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom and 0.5 by 0.5 degree for the Netherlands and Switzerland. For each degree the length and orientation of rails and roads, the existing and planned noise barriers are registered and grouped according to their orientations. The solar radiation is based on data of a METEONORM data set. This includes the solar radiation on horizontal orientation as well as various inclination angles for all possible orientations. Moreover, possible shading has been considered.
The technical specifications of noise barriers (PVNB) are based on the comprehensive knowledge of TNC GmbH and TNC AG with various plants realised. Technologies have been considered for both state-of4he-art and innovative concepts such as bifacial PVNB. In bifacial PVNB the PV-module is mounted vertically on both sides and is used at the same time as noise absorbing material.

Installed PV power and produced electricity have been calculated for:
1. theoretical potential (all roads and railway lines shall be equipped with PVNB)
2. technical potential (the existing and the barriers built in the next 5 years shall be equipped)
3. short-term resp. European extrapolated potential (barriers built in the next 5 years only equipped)
4. anticipated potential
5. EU-member assessment

The result of this study confirms the current activities to implement PV on noise barriers as an important share in the PV market.

The main results are
· The theoretical potential for the six countries investigated is huge: 83 GW~ PV along roads and rails.
· The technical potential for the six countries investigated is encouraging: approx. 584 MWp PV along roads and 217 MWp PV along rails.
· The short-term potential for Switzerland, Germany and NL is approx. 140 MWp PV along roads and 145 MWp PV along rails.

The main results for Switzerland are
· The technical potential is 73.4 MWp and the short term potenial is 32 MWp.
· For the railway lines, very accurate data for the planned noise barriers were availabe. 270 km of noise barriers are to be built in the next 15 years. From this the technical potential in the next 5 years was calculated to be 14.9 MWp.
· It was difficult to get all the necessary data for the highways from all the cantons. But from the received data, the technical potential along highways could be calculated to 58.5 MWp.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 98.0216