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German and Austrian researchers are testing highway rooftop deployments.
- A pilot scheme is to be implemented next Autumn.
- This deployment model considerably cost more than conventional deployment models.
Researchers from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the Austrian Institute of Technology are testing the deployment of solar PV roofs along highways. The system comprises a 10x17m roof area installed on a steel structure about 5.5m above the road. The construction of the pilot is scheduled to start next autumn with year-long monitoring of the systems. The results from the pilot project will determine if further pilot schemes will be implemented.
The project is part of a joint road construction research carried out by Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Steffen Bilger, German state secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport, commented that the research project aims to identify renewable energy generation potential from highways. He noted that roofing highways are a challenge due to fast-moving vehicular traffic.
The German Federal Ministry of Transport pointed out that these highway PV systems are more expensive than rooftop PV or ground-mounted solar plants, needing protections against possible vehicle impacts. The government noted that there is still potential for this highway solar Pv, especially in areas where renewable energy can be generated less expensively.