Noise protection is an important issue in urban and road construction as well as in industry. RAU® has set itself the task of revolutionizing the world of noise barriers and providing you with new, more sustainable solutions. In addition to our RAU® Climatewall and RAU® Alpin green noise barriers, our RAU® Photovoltaic product offers you another way to combine noise protection, ecology and sustainability. An important step towards the global energy revolution!
What is a photovoltaic noise barrier?
Noise protection and energy generation in one innovative solution? No problem with a photovoltaic noise barrier from RAU®. Photovoltaics (PV) is a technology for generating renewable energy, similar to a solar system. Sunlight is collected by solar cells and the light energy is then converted into electrical energy. The solar energy can thus be used as electricity.
Photovoltaic systems (PV systems) are usually installed on the roofs of buildings. However, noise barriers also offer sufficient space to install solar panels. For our photovoltaic noise protection, we work together with Green City Energy and can now offer you the first solar noise protection solution in Germany.
Photovoltaics along highways and railroad tracks
Noise barriers are very often built along freeways and railroad tracks to protect adjacent neighborhoods from the noise of traffic. A total of around 13,200 kilometers of freeway and over 38,000 kilometers of railroad tracks run through Germany. Of these, around 5,800 kilometers are currently lined with noise protection structures. According to a study by the German Weather Service (DWD), the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) and the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt), if these existing noise barriers were retrofitted with photovoltaic modules, 1,500 gigawatt hours of solar power could be generated each year. This amount would be sufficient to cover the annual electricity consumption of around 450,000 households.
More photovoltaics on freeways and more photovoltaics on railroad tracks could further increase the use of these areas and thus the resulting energy yield. In order to fully exploit the potential, future noise barriers should be equipped directly with photovoltaic modules so that they do not have to be upgraded at a later date at great expense. The solution: RAU® Photovoltaics. This product solution combines classic noise protection on roads and railways with innovation and forward thinking. In addition to the possibility of producing renewable energy through PV, the noise barriers offer other sustainable features: they can be planted, which reduces CO₂ and particulate matter and creates a habitat for small animals.
Photovoltaics and climate protection with RAU®
Insulating noise and generating electricity at the same time – that’s the future of noise barriers! RAU® products are sustainable and climate-friendly. Our noise protection solutions are also cost-effective and low-maintenance. We offer nationwide advice as well as the planning and implementation of your project. In addition to photovoltaic noise barriers, we offer you a wide range of other sustainable products. Find out more now!