Motorway sound barriers: recent results and new concepts for advancement of technology

Since the first grid-connected 100 kW photovoltaic plant on sound barriers along the N13 went into operation in autumn 1989 (Mark I, see Fig. 1), comprehensive monitoring data has been collected and analysed. In over five years of operation, the plant fed an annual average of 11000 kWh into the grid. The average performance ratio was 80%. Findings concerning this plant and a subsequent project located along the railway line in Canton Ticino (Mark II, 100 kWp, in operation since autumn 1992) are being systematically analysed. A further step towards the improvement of the economic viability of photovoltaic installations associated with sound barriers can be seen in the integrated approach to building these. In the framework of a long-term research and development project in Switzerland and Germany, the possibility of integrating photovoltaic units into sound barrier components will be explored.