Noise barriers along traffic routes fulfil an essential function by protecting residents from traffic noise. At the same time, they harbour enormous potential for sustainable energy generation through photovoltaics. Together with the Kirchdorfer Group, AIT has developed an innovative solution in which wood-concrete noise barriers are equipped with a versatile, adaptable photovoltaic solution. The energy generated can be fed directly into the road infrastructure and used for lighting or traffic guidance systems, for example. A flexible substructure allows the panels to be optimally orientated towards the sun and at the same time protects them from wind and snow loads. 

Detailed yield forecasts by the AIT showed that the solar power generated by this system compensates for all the energy used for production, transport and installation after just two years of operation. The technology was optimised in extensive variant studies, technology options, yield and cost analyses, as well as acoustic simulations and measurements in the AIT laboratory. The first infrastructure projects using this solution have already been realised. A further development of the next generation of PV noise barriers is currently in progress, with AIT again responsible for the photovoltaic solution and the acoustic analyses. The close cooperation between science and industry enables a scalable solution for the large-scale use of renewable energies along transport infrastructures.

 

“We have been working with experts from the AIT for over a decade in order to ultimately realise innovations from our ideas and developments. Especially in the areas of noise protection and photovoltaics, we greatly appreciate the fact that we can draw on the existing expertise in both specialist areas under one roof and thus make very rapid progress in project implementation.” - Gerald Lanz Project Manager at MABA Fertigteilindustrie GmbH, part of the Kirchdorfer Group