Energy Yield Assessment of Zigzag Noise Barrier in a Moderate Climate Using an Advanced Simulation Tool

Abstract

Photovoltaic noise barriers (PVNBs) are the combination of noise barriers and photovoltaic systems, they are designed to reduce noise levels by reflection or absorption while simultaneously generating renewable energy. The Zigzag noise barrier structure is an innovative approach to energy-harvesting facades, and it combines the benefits of a photovoltaic system and an architectural design to achieve energy harvesting in a sophisticated manner, while allowing architects to maintain their creative freedom. In this work, the energy yield of a zigzag noise barrier demonstrator built in Chemelot campus in Geleen (the Netherlands) is simulated using the imec’s E-Yield framework, for different orientations of the barrier, and the typical meteorological year (TMY) data for the region of Genk, Belgium (25 km away from Geleen) are utilized in this analysis.