A Dual-Function Photovoltaic Noise-Barrier System for High-Traffic Tropical Highways: Design, Performance, and Dust-Sensitivity Analysis

Highway expansion in densely populated, landscarce areas demands innovative renewable energy solutions that provide compelling performance with lower environmental footprints. This study presents the technical performance, deliverable energy, and economic viability of a proposed bifacial photovoltaic noise barrier integrated into the DhakaChattogram corridor. A detailed 3D model was developed in SketchUp and imported into PVsyst to conduct a rigorous shading analysis, scrutinize electrical layouts, model losses, and simulate annual performances. From an economic perspective, it was evaluated through a discounted cash flow analysis using practical assumptions of capital expenditure (capex), operating expenditure (opex), discount rate, inflation, and feed-in tariff. It is expected that this system would generate approximately 807 MWh of alternating current (AC) energy per year with a specific yield of$842 \text{kWh} / \text{kWp} /$year and a high-performance ratio of 85.19 %. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) was 0.0790 USD/kWh, while the simple payback period was 5.6 years, ensuring reasonable financial viability. In addition, it can avoid the emission of approximately$8,764.9$metric tons of carbon dioxide within its lifespan, reflecting its significant role in deploying highway-integrated renewable energy in a sustainable manner.