Contributed

The Ray is proud to release groundbreaking research on solar noise barriers in conjunction with Innovia Technology, a UK based innovation consultancy.

The Ray’s research was conducted in parallel with the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Center, which recently released complimentary research. The research dives deep into different designs and technologies, key technology providers and innovators, and gives an in-depth cost-benefit analysis of noise barriers that are made from photovoltaic materials that produce renewable energy, all while blocking highway noise pollution.

One of the ways that The Ray reaches its sustainability and safety goals is by examining transportation infrastructure to find places where assets are being underutilized. So much of transportation infrastructure has multi-tasking potential. In 2016, The Ray introduced Wattway, the world’s first drivable solar road which produces renewable energy when not obscured by vehicles, to the U.S. market. Turning to solar noise barriers as another opportunity to maximize a staple of highway infrastructure is a natural next step.

Unlike solar farms, solar noise barriers do not require additional dedicated land, allowing for the adoption of this technology in built up areas where land is at a premium.

“Miles of sound barriers have been produced from the same traditional materials over and over again,” said Harriet Langford, president and founder of The Ray, “By changing the decision on the front end about what kind of materials we use, we can unlock additional value. If you can mitigate noise pollution and produce renewable energy at the same time, why wouldn’t you?”