Building the world's largest bifacial solar noise barrier

Abstract

In the Solar Highways project, knowledge institutes ECN and SEAC, and the executive body of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment (Rijkswaterstaat) teamed up to build a bifacial fully integrated solar noise barrier. Not only is it the largest solar noise barrier in the Netherlands to date, it will also be the largest bifacial noise barrier in the world. The solar noise barrier will be 400 m long and 5 meters high and will be facing east and west. To achieve the objectives of maximum solar energy output and minimum operation and maintenance costs, we designed and published a procurement based on the principles of ‘Most Economically Advantageous Tender’ (MEAT), enabling the weighing of monetary alongside non-monetary aspects in the same procurement. Six system designs were submitted by contractors. After assessment of all submitted offers in the MEAT framework, the assignment was granted to Heijmans Infra. By submitting a design that enables a high cell coverage ratio together with minimized construction shading, the output is maximized. Smart design features ensure minimum operation and maintenance effort. After commissioning of the installation in December 2018, we will carefully monitor it with respect to energy output and maintenance costs