DESIGN FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC FOR RURAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) have become an important part of today’s global economy. ICT infrastructural development is developing at a very fast in Nepal. Currently base stations depend mainly on the national grid, with diesel generators as backups, for its power requirement. In some remote or hilly areas where there is no grid supplied electricity, base stations are usually powered with diesel fueled generators since lengthy grid extensions will not be cost effective. In addition to high fuel delivery and consumption costs, maintenance of the generators can also be expensive in terms of parts and labor time working on the unit. There are also concerns about environmental pollution using diesel generators. Photovoltaic technology has the ability to convert solar energy into electricity consuming no fossil fuels, using no moving parts, creating no pollution and noise, and will be lasting for years with little maintenance. In this thesis work, the use of solar PV technology as a cost-effective source of power for cellular base stations in remote or hilly areas far off the national grid, is reviewed. The rapid growth of wireless mobile communication technology and the corresponding significant increase in the number of cellular base stations (BSs) have increased operational expenses (OPEX) for mobile operators, due to increased electricity prices and fossil fuel consumption. Thus, identifying alternative solutions to reduce OPEX has become a major priority of mobile operators. Solar energy is considered an economically attractive and eco-friendly option.