Modelling of noise barrier efficiency with integrated photovoltaic elements

Abstract

Railway noise pollution is a significant environmental concern, affecting urban and rural areas. Photovoltaic Noise Barriers (PVNBs) represent a multi-purpose solution that reduces noise pollution and generates renewable energy all at once. This study explores the effectiveness of various PVNB configurations in mitigating railway noise, considering factors such as barrier height, surface absorption, and tilt angle of the Photovoltaic segment. Special attention is given to the acoustic properties of bifacial PV modules, evaluating their impact on sound reflection and absorption. This research uses numerical simulations to assess the trade-offs between noise attenuation and solar energy efficiency. The results provide valuable insights for optimising PVNB designs to enhance noise reduction while maintaining energy harvesting performance, contributing to more sustainable urban infrastructure. This research clarifies that the crowning configuration of the PVNB has an impact on noise attenuation efficiency, for instance, the effect of the barrier crowning tilt angle on a point 50 meters away from the source for noise reduction was the highest for the horizontal configuration noise barrier crowning, ranging between ‒10.6 dB(A) neglecting the barrier effect, –30.2 dB(A) for the horizontal crowning barrier, and –28.3 dB(A) for the vertical configuration.