As cities grow and densify, the amount of traffic in and through settlement also increases. Horizontal surfaces are increasingly disappearing in favor of housing and infrastructure. This leads to increased noise levels and increased emissions in both residential and green belts. Where exploitation cannot be adapted in any other way, or where natural shielding against noise cannot be achieved, noise screens are often erected to minimize noise propagation from roads and railways. The most commonly occurring noise screen today consists of wood, but given its prerequisites, the study intends to investigate whether noise screens in concrete can be a better alternative. The purpose is thus to design and dimension noise screens in concrete. The study is carried out in collaboration with Butong AB, which since 2009 has developed and constructed plant walls in concrete. The objective is to construct and dimension a self-supporting noise shield, with integrated substrate for plants to grow and germinate, based on Butong's existing plant walls. To achieve the report's objectives, different types of matrices and designs have been evaluated with respect to strength and mechanical properties. The calculations made are numerical and performed in SolidWorks. The results from the numerical tests have been used to produce a noise shield with intended dimensions and where loads have been applied according to current eurocodes and SIS standards. The conclusion indicates that green noise screens in concrete maintain a high competitiveness against noise screens in wood. The long span, good mechanical properties and aesthetically pleasing design are some of the factors that support the conclusion.

City of Malmö has ambitions for the district Hyllie to become a demonstrative area ofsustainable urban development. As a part of this the following report aims to investigate the potential in using noise barriers combined with photovoltaics along Annetorpsvägen to generate solar electricity. To quantify the losses that shadows from buildings along the roadmight cause, a 3D-model of the area was constructed in SketchUp. This digital model made it possible to simulate shadows and how they change over the year. A reference model of a photovoltaic noise barrier (PVNB) was constructed and used to find the dates on which the solar cells are shadowed depending on building heights and positioning of the barrier. The results show that two lengths with a total distance of 400 meters is appropriate for applying photovoltaic noise barriers. Along distance A, a PVNB with a total capacity of 19 kWp is expected to generate 18 000 kWh per year assuming realistic shadowing, which equals 6% losses compared to production without shadows. The PVNB along distance B with installed capacity of 37 kWp has no considerable problems with shadowing and is expected to generate 37 500 kWh per year. This gives a total production of 56 500 kWh per year. The combined investment costs (excluding costs for the actual noise barrier) for both power plants are assumed to be approximately one million SEK. Expected economical outcome is a negative capital value after 25 years, although a change of critical factors such as investment aid, investment cost, electricity prices and cost of capital may result in a more positive outcome. Production losses from shadowing and dirt seem to have a minimal effect on the outcome Despite uncertainty in the economical outcome, realizing the project would have several other positive effects such as reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and a positive impact on the public view of renewable energy.

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.