Photovoltaic Noise Barrier – Soundproofing That Generates Electricity

Noise protection and the energy transition in the same space—RAU Photovoltaik combines a greenable noise barrier with integrated solar panels, transforming the noise barrier into a power-generating surface. This is particularly useful wherever noise barriers are required anyway and sun-exposed wall surfaces would otherwise remain unused: at commercial sites with high self-consumption, along transportation routes, or at municipal facilities. The wall remains what it is—a highly absorbent, greenable noise barrier with vegetation at its base that requires no irrigation. We provide planning, bid documents, installation, and customer service all from a single source at our Kaufbeuren location, serving municipalities, businesses, and project developers.

Whether this combination is worthwhile is determined during the planning phase—the orientation and tilt of the wall surface, shading from buildings or vegetation, and the load profile of the consumer all determine the yield. Commercial facilities with consumers operating during the day benefit twice over, because the electricity generated can be used directly on-site, while the wall simultaneously shields against noise from production, cooling, or logistics. We assess early on which wall sections are suitable for modules and where greening takes priority; both functions can be combined in sections within a single installation. From the initial site assessment through bid documents and construction plans to installation, we support the project with consulting, planning, and execution all under one roof, ensuring that soundproofing certification and the energy concept do not diverge into separate processes. For ongoing maintenance, our in-house service teams are on hand to inspect both the vegetation and the wall structure during the same visit—an advantage over solutions where sound insulation and solar technology are provided by separate contractors. It is also possible to prepare for expansions in later phases, for example, if only a portion of the surface is initially covered with modules.

Solar technology and vegetation only appear to compete for the same space. With RAU Photovoltaics, the base structure—which can be greened—remains intact; the panels occupy defined sections, while the vegetation continues to grow at the base of the wall and traps fine particulate matter—here, too, no irrigation is required, as the plants rely on natural precipitation. Our overview of noise barrier systems illustrates which systems are suitable as supports and how the green structures generally function. The structures are typically filled with soil and mineral raw materials sourced locally, which makes the construction dimensionally stable and durable—a property that matters when modules are in use for decades. Installation is carried out as a turnkey project by our teams or as a kit for specialized contractors; we coordinate electrical connection work with the client’s designated contractor. Municipalities use such a system to combine noise control requirements with climate goals in a single structure—an argument that regularly tips the scales in favor of this combined solution during committee meetings. The panels themselves remain accessible for maintenance and replacement without requiring any changes to the wall structure or vegetation.