Solar cells on noise board : Opportunities and limitations with an unusual placement of solar cells

This thesis deals with possibilities for solar cells on noise boards. As global warming increases, interest in reducing climate impact has also increased among people. Until today, fossil fuels are the dominant energy source that has a negative impact on the environment. For this reason, more and more countries are now choosing to invest in renewable energy sources where solar energy is one of these. The development and interest in solar cells has risen. This is due to the fact that prices have fallen more and more at the same time as the quality and efficiency have improved. Solar production is at a very low level in Sweden in comparison with other renewable energy sources that are used today. Placement of solar cells is most common on facades and roofs today, but there are more existing surfaces that can be used. One of these surfaces that is not used as much as facades and roofs, is the noise barrier. Noise plank is mainly used to reduce noise, as noise disturbance affects many people daily. Noise boards are placed along roads, railways and more to reduce traffic noise, for example. Costs for noise barriers are high and do not provide a financial return at present. In this thesis, the possibility of installing solar cells on a noise barrier and converting expenses into a long-term investment has been made. The profitability of such an investment is shown, at the same time as it is possible to utilize already existing areas and to increase solar production.With the help of previous studies, digital sources, the structure of solar cells, what functions they fulfill, support and contributions that are available to use have been included in the report. By calculating solar radiation and solar production in Kiruna, Västerås and Malmö, it is possible to show which latitudes, and slope which provides the best conditions for solar production. The extent of the differences between solar production and the current efficiency of solar cells, as opposed to the future, has also been addressed. A comparison between the same photovoltaic system in different cities around Sweden shows the profitability and loss differences depending on which latitudes, efficiency and slope of the solar cells are finally invested in. The results show that a southern location with a slope of 45 ° provides the best conditions for solar production. It is profitable to invest in Malmö, in the south, southwest and southeast of Västerås and Kiruna it is not worth an investment at present. In the future, it may be a profitable investment in several directions and in several cities, depending on the development of solar cells. Several conclusions can be drawn, including that the conditions around a photovoltaic system on a noise barrier are good. It is profitable to invest in solar cells on a noise barrier. The payback period varies depending on various factors, and the electricity price development in the future, but in which case it leads to a good contribution to the environment, which should be our responsibility