Sound absorption
DLα = 12 ± 0.2 dB for the configuration described in the 2018 technical file.
SOUND SOLAR PANEL · ETWAY
Photovoltaic noise barrier.
On the road to the future.
For roads, motorways and industrial sites, Etway Sound Solar Panel combines acoustic protection and photovoltaic generation in one barrier. An essential structure can generate electricity and create value over time, subject to project conditions.
A4 / B3acoustic classes from
historic laboratory documentation*
historic laboratory documentation*
11 / 32 dBreflection and insulation indices
of the panel tested in 2022*
of the panel tested in 2022*
2 functionsacoustic protection
and solar generation
and solar generation
SSP installation, Cittadella (Italy) Photography: Etway
01 / THE SOLUTION
Turn a problem
(noise) into a resource:
generate energy.
Infrastructure operators, public authorities, designers and businesses address noise along roads, motorways and industrial sites. A road noise barrier protects people who live or work near the source: it is a necessary investment. Etway developed Sound Solar Panel to give that structure an energy function as well. The Sound Solar Panel project, already installed in Cittadella, is covered in a 2013 Infobuildenergia article (in Italian) ↗.
The panel has a shaped geometry: one face absorbs sound, the other limits transmission, and the inclined surface carries photovoltaic modules. The same structure that reduces noise generates electricity for self consumption or other uses. Over time, energy can offset part of the barrier’s cost and, in favourable projects, create a positive economic balance. An acoustic and financial study assesses each site.
Explore the panel geometryReduce noise
Generate electricity
Create value over time
Electricity will play an increasingly central role.
Transport, buildings and industry are electrifying; solar power is growing. A barrier that generates electricity is already aligned with this future.
Outlook: IEA · Electrification ↗ · Renewables 2025 ↗ROADS AND MOTORWAYSMUNICIPALITIES AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIESINDUSTRY AND LOGISTICSSCHOOLS AND SENSITIVE SITES
INSIDE THE SYSTEM
An innovative geometry designed for two functions.
The image identifies the panel and its components:
- 1Solid rear element for sound insulation
- 2Joint for stacking panels
- 3Inclined support, ventilation and cable routing
- 4Accessible fastening for module maintenance
- 5Perforated sound absorbing front
- 6Sealed side closure
- 7Double sound absorbing layer
- 8Integrated photovoltaic module
Galvanised steel sheet elements are coated with thermosetting polyester powder, with a choice of RAL colours. The 2026 brochure specifies a minimum coating thickness of 80 μm. Finish and electrical layout are defined for each project.
02 / DATA AND TESTING
Measured performance.
Precise project questions.
The figures relate to different tests and configurations. The noise reduction at a receiver requires a site-specific acoustic assessment.
Sound insulation
Sound insulation index = 30 ± 0.4 dB for the configuration described in the 2018 technical file.
Reflection DLRi
Index for the panel tested using the Adrienne method, 2022 report.
Insulation DLSi,E
Index for the panel tested using the Adrienne method, 2022 report.
2022 Adrienne report: sound insulation DLSi,E 32 dB for the panel, DLSi,P 23 dB for the post and DLSi,G 25 dB for the tested assembly.
* The A4/B3 classes come from laboratory tests in the historic technical file; the Adrienne indices come from free-field tests in 2022. The methods and samples are distinct. Noise reduction at a building is assessed for the specific project.
03 / FIELD EXPERIENCE
More than an idea.
Projects already built.
From a monitored prototype to infrastructure scale barriers. The stated power may include project specific solar additions beyond the SSP panel. The Valmontone motorway project is also covered by Quattroruote (in Italian) ↗.
ROAD · OPPEANO (VR)
Protection along the Transpolesana
A barrier protecting the community, with SSP and a photovoltaic top.
LENGTH1,700 m
POWER833 kWp
SCHOOL · CITTADELLA (PD)
Cittadella: protecting a nursery school
School screening with transparent sections and photovoltaic panels.
LENGTH123 m
POWER41 kWp
MOTORWAY · VALMONTONE (RM)
Solar power along the A1
Green Solution barrier: around 80 MWh/year* of expected generation for the toll station, according to the official Autostrade per l’Italia statement (in Italian) ↗.
PV SECTION~300 m
POWER60.48 kWp
HOSPITALITY · PORTO RECANATI (MC)
Porto Recanati campsite
Acoustic screening for the campsite with integrated electricity generation.
LENGTH153 m
POWER32.4 kWp
MORE COMPLETED PROJECTS
Four settings, different solutions.
SSP and combined systems in different settings. Melzo features Solar Fence, separate from SSP.
SSP · PROTOTYPE
Borgo Valsugana (TN)
Barrier protecting a pedestrian and cycle path, with a station for monitoring the product.
40 m · 12 kWp installed
SSP · SOLAR READY
Lodi (LO)
Noise barrier in three sections near the bypass, designed to accommodate a future photovoltaic system.
Solar capacity planned, not installed
SSP + SOLAR FENCE
Costermano (VR)
Photovoltaic noise barrier protecting homes near the sports field, integrated with Solar Fence.
90 m · 15 kWp planned for future installation
SOLAR FENCE · LOGISTICS
Melzo (MI)
Photovoltaic fence around a container storage and handling yard, with a PMMA section.
Solar Fence reference, separate from SSPEvery route has its own configuration
Schools, roads, motorways and hospitality sites show how height, finish and solar layout vary with context. * Valmontone: expected generation, not measured output. The project is also discussed in the QualEnergia article (in Italian) ↗.
SEE THE BARRIER UP CLOSE
Sound Solar Panel in the field
Etway footage from Cittadella and other installations. Play on demand, with sound and controls.
04 / HORIZON EUROPE · SPHINX
Etway selected to bring SSP into European research.
The SPHINX ↗ consortium secured Horizon Europe funding to develop and demonstrate new integrated photovoltaic solutions. Etway is the only Italian partner among the project’s 12 organisations and led the photovoltaic noise barrier demonstrator, working with Fraunhofer ISE ↗, a leading European solar research institute, and coordinator VOLTEC SOLAR ↗. The team’s work is described in the SPHINX interview with Luca Trainotti and Davide Avantaggiato ↗.
The result is a full scale experimental installation near Freiburg. In Merdingen, SSP Evolution and a second vertical configuration make it possible to compare geometries and photovoltaic technologies outdoors. This is a concrete step from Etway’s established panel to its evolution tested with international scientific partners.
Launched in November 2023, the three year programme held its final General Assembly on 14 October 2026 in Strasbourg and Merdingen; formal completion is scheduled for 31 October 2026. Demonstrator monitoring and evaluation require field data.
3 yearsNovember 2023 – October 2026
12 partnersFrom 7 European countries
1 Italian partnerEtway
€6.22mTotal project cost; EU contribution €5.25m
* Project data: European Commission CORDIS record ↗. Experimental configurations are documented separately from the production product.
05 / ENERGY AND VALUE
Configure your barrier.
Explore energy and value.
Choose length, height, specific yield and energy value: the model builds an initial scenario. A technical and economic feasibility study adapts it to your route.
EXPLORE AN ILLUSTRATIVE SCENARIO
How much could it generate?
100 m2.000 m
1,69 m5 SSP levels above 1 m of concrete7,23 m
9001.600
0,07 €0,90 €
Assumed section: 1 m concrete base and SSP levels 0.692 m high each. Each level has two 160 Wp modules per 4 m bay: about 0.08 kWp per linear metre. No solar power is assigned to the concrete. Actual configuration depends on bays, modules, orientation, shade and electrical design.
THE SCENARIO IN NUMBERS
Indicative rated power400 kWp
Energy generated · year one520,000 kWh
Cumulative revenue or savings · 20 years*—
Cumulative revenue or savings · 30 years*—
* Illustrative assumptions: initial specific yield under unchanged conditions, 0.475% annual module degradation and 2.25% annual nominal growth in unit energy value (within a 2–2.5% range). The 20 and 30 year figures sum undiscounted annual values.
The selected value may represent grid sale price, savings from self consumption or the customer price for EV charging. Results are nominal gross values. A technical and economic feasibility study determines actual yield, grid connection, construction and operating costs, self consumption share and charging service margin for the project.
Assess your routeCUMULATIVE FORECAST · 30 YEARS
Thirty years of energy and value
The chart shows cumulative energy generation and revenue over 20 and 30 years, based on the parameters and assumptions above. On a phone, choose the year below the chart; on a computer, hover to read its figures.
AFTER 20 YEARS
Cumulative energy—
Cumulative revenue—
AFTER 30 YEARS
Cumulative energy—
Cumulative revenue—
* Cumulative energy is the sum of yearly production, not stored energy. Value may represent sale revenue or self consumption savings; nominal gross amounts before costs and taxes, rather than profits.
A CONVENTIONAL BARRIER
Acoustic protection and construction cost.
→AN SSP BARRIERAcoustic protection, solar investment and potential energy value throughout its life.
06 / DOCUMENTS
Explore further.
In your language.
The Italian 2026 brochure covers the latest configuration and SPHINX. The English datasheet, generated in 2023, already includes the 2022 Adrienne-method tests; other editions are earlier. Request current technical documents for your project. The Czech copy is temporarily available on request.
Download the 2026 brochure · ITWhat is a photovoltaic noise barrier?
It performs an acoustic function and integrates photovoltaic modules to generate electricity. In SSP, the module is housed in the acoustic panel; height and layout are designed for the noise source and site conditions.
How much noise does SSP reduce at nearby homes?
SSP is a high performance acoustic barrier: its absorbing front and stacked inclined baffles present several surfaces to sound waves, rather like sea waves meeting a series of rocks. More height can better screen the direct sound path, but the decibel reduction at a home also depends on length, distances, terrain, sources, reflections and gaps. Clients’ experience from built installations has been positive. A project acoustic report is needed to quantify performance at receptors; panel indices describe a different measurement.
Which tests and certifications are available?
Documentation includes sound absorption and insulation tests under UNI EN 1793, a 2022 Adrienne method report under UNI EN 1793-5/6, and mechanical checks for wind, snow, self weight, stone impact and falling fragments. Applicable CE documentation should match the offered configuration.
Where can it be installed?
Projects include roads and motorways, public authorities, logistics centres, industrial sites, schools and other noise-sensitive locations. Each project requires acoustic, structural, planning and electrical checks. A Canale Energia article (in Italian) ↗ describes the photovoltaic integration in the Valmontone motorway barrier.
How much can the generated energy be worth?
It depends on use. In an illustrative scenario, grid sales may be worth around €0.07–0.10/kWh; self consumption avoids purchased electricity costs, which for some users may be €0.25–0.40/kWh. An EV charging service may charge customers more, up to €0.90/kWh in this example: that is gross service revenue, not net profit per solar kWh. Contracts, self consumption share, charges, taxes, investment and operating costs change the outcome.
How much does it generate, and when does it pay back?
Generation depends on power, orientation, shade and climate. The configurator shows year one energy and 20 and 30 year cumulative projections, assuming 0.475% yearly degradation and 2.25% nominal growth in the value of a kWh. Payback depends on project costs, electrical arrangement and cash flows, which a feasibility study establishes.
Can I choose the barrier colour?
Yes. Galvanised steel sheet elements are coated with thermosetting polyester powder in a choice of RAL colours. The 2026 brochure specifies a minimum coating thickness of 80 μm; the offered configuration defines the coating system and finish.
Can the barrier be prepared for future photovoltaics?
This can be designed from the outset. Some references include power capacity that can be installed later; component compatibility and electrical and structural requirements must be verified for each case.
What was built in the SPHINX project?
Etway, the Horizon Europe consortium’s only Italian partner, led the photovoltaic noise barrier demonstrator with Fraunhofer ISE and VOLTEC SOLAR. SSP Evolution and a vertical configuration were installed near Freiburg for comparison and monitoring. The 12 partner, 7 country project formally concludes on 31 October 2026.
LET’S DISCUSS YOUR ROUTE
A noise problem?
Start with the site data.
Tell us the province, approximate length, height and known constraints. For projects outside Italy, select the international option and enter the country and town. Etway can prepare an initial acoustic and energy assessment and identify the documents needed for your project.