Following on from a competition held in 1996 to encourage Swiss-German innovation in PV noise barriers, TNC consulting AG is now field testing a 10 kWp system of novel bi-facial PV modules.

The system, which was commissioned in March 1998, spans 120 m of the Aubrugg bridge on the A1 motorway outside Zurich. The modules, which provide dual functions of electricity generation and protection from traffic noise, were constructed by the German manufacturer ASE. They are installed vertically rather than tilted towards the sun, and are oriented in an east-west direction, as opposed to conventional modules which would normally be south-facing in the northern hemisphere to maximise solar energy capture.

The ongoing two-year monitoring campaign hopes to demonstrate that the bi-facial design an product almost as much electricity (800 kWh/kWp is anticipated) as an optimally orientated conventional module - and with a more even power generation distribution over the course of the day.

Combining the 'power without noise' functions is helping to bring down the cost of PV generated electricity, primarily through avoided land costs. The bi-facial design if successful will overcome the restriction to orient modules to the south, so opening up far greater stretches of motorway noise-barrier for PV power generation plant.

Information:

• Thomas Nordmann
  TNC, Switzerland
  Fax: +41 1 921 13 77

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