Road-Integrated Photovoltaics, PV in Railways and Noise Barriers (RIPV)

Noise barrier with integrated PV modules in Neuötting, Germany
© Source: R. Kohlhauer GmbH
Noise barrier with integrated PV modules in Neuötting, Germany

Transport-area-integrated photovoltaics comprises the integration into and near road-ways and railways. The PV modules can be integrated directly into roads, cycleways, footpaths or urban squares, but also over the sleepers of railway tracks or into associated areas like noise barriers or highway verges.

The available areas are enormous but also the requirements are stringent and expecta-tions are high. A current approach to develop particularly resilient modules is based on reinforced and structured glass surfaces. Within a research project at Fraunhofer ISE, the structure of PV road-paving elements was developed to achieve an optimal electricity yield, a long lifetime and safety.

 

Our services

  • PV technological consultancy
  • Design and development of prototypes for integrated PV
  • Determination of the solar electricity yield
  • Module reliability testing
  • Analyses of electricity yield and costs
  • Coordination and management of R&D projects with industrial partners


 

Selected Research Projects

 

PV-Süd

PV road roofing system

 

PVwins

Development of Wall-integrated PV Elements for Noise Protection

Downlaod Flyer

Flyer: Solar Energy from Traffic Infrastructure