Based on one of TNCs ideas, an evaluation of the potential PV noise barriers on transport routes in Europe was launched in 1997. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the great potential for noise barrier technology in Europe. It provided PV producers and government authorities with the necessary basis for establishing such a market.

The Partners

The «Evaluation of the Potential of PV Noise Barrier Technology» EU Thermie B project was conducted over the course of one year beginning in March 1998. It was supported by the EU as part of the Thermie B program. The main partners of the project were TNC GmbH, who performed project management, and the Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg i.B. (ISE), who calculates radiation data and the actual potentials. Other institutes from France, the Netherlands, Italy and the United Kingdom are responsible for collecting data, liaising with local authorities and implementing the project in participating countries.

The Task

Information on the existing and planned noise barriers along the railroad lines and highways of each country was collected and used as the source data. The base data, which SBB made available afterwards, permitted an excellent analysis of the potential of this technology for Switzerland.

Work from 1999:

  • Completion of data collection in all participating countries.
  • Quality check by ISE in Freiburg i. B.
  • Calculation of potentials by ISE, extrapolation to regions where no data was available and to non-participating EU countries.
  • Creation of maps with geographical distribution.
  • Creation of final report in draft form.
  • Final meeting of all project partners in Horgen on September 2, 1999.
  • Press conference on the Swiss results in Chur on September 3, 1999.
  • Definitive final report submitted to the EU Commission.
  • Establishment of the basis for implementing the results: publication of papers, flyers and articles.

Cooperation

The evaluation helped establish or further expand cooperation with diverse Cantonal Civil Engineering Offices and noise protection specialists. Contacts were made with the SBB Head Office for Construction in order to obtain noise protection data and also further popularize the concept of PV noise barrier technology. The SBB data was first released in March 1999 as it was previously considered classified with regard to highway noise barrier technology from the embassy of the Swiss Federal Council. The data that was finally received was extremely accurate and comprehensive. The great level of cooperation among national partners lead to a much improved understanding of noise barrier technology in Europe.

Transfer of Results into Practice

The implementation of the results will be an important task for all partners in the coming months and years. The results of the evaluation are currently being put into practice in each country on a local level. The expansion of the PV noise barrier consortium to include PV cell producers (see Annual Report 1998) is still under way.