Noise Wall Post-Mounted Solar Panels
Focus Area
Noise
Subcommittee
Community & Cultural Concerns, Environmental Process
Status
Archived
Cost
$100k-$249k
Timeframe
Under 1 year
Research Idea Scope
DOTs are not currently creating renewable energy via existing or new noise wall construction. Noise wall posts are currently only used to hold noise wall panels in place. Research is needed to determine if renewable energy can be created via the design of Noise Wall Post-Mounted Solar Panels to power DOT’s own roadside devices or equipment. The results of this research may justify the need to construct Noise Wall Post-Mounted Solar Panels and a change in the current noise barrier specification and DOT Noise Policy. The goal is to create renewable energy for DOT purposes via Noise Wall Post-Mounted Solar Panels. Research the use of the photovoltaic power to run DOT’s own roadside devices or equipment directly, “off-the-grid”, getting the full benefit of the energy with no penalty. Because DOT’s noise wall posts are already adjacent to the roadway, mounting solar panels to them to run DOT’s own roadside devices or equipment directly is fitting and advantageous. The objectives include: • Design Noise Wall Post-Mounted Solar Panels • Determine the amount of renewable energy being created and the potential • Estimate associated construction costs • Determine if there is an acoustic benefit to Noise Wall Post-Mounted Solar Panels
Urgency and Payoff
This research will provide data to show if the Noise Wall Post-Mounted Solar Panels improves energy and acoustic efficiency over existing noise wall designs. The research will also provide a cost benefit analysis to show any monetary savings by supplying electricity to roadside devices being deployed by DOTs.
Submitted
05/28/2019