Analysis on Solar PV based Hybrid Power Solution for Remote Telecom Towers

Abstract

Telecommunication is considered as one of the major support services required for the growth and modernization of various
economic sectors. The major problem associated with the Telecom Towers is the poor electricity supply that is available, which is
tackled by means of Diesel generators (DG). Use of Diesel power leads to an increase in operating cost as well as greenhouse gas
emissions. The regulatory authorities are contemplating to curb carbon emissions and rising fuel cost by putting pressure on the
operating margins, the use of Renewable energy could be a solution. The commonly used clean energy technologies at the
Telecom sites are Solar Photovoltaic (SPV), Wind Turbines, Fuel cells, Biomass power etc. This paper focuses on Telecom sites
powered by Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) arrays along with DG and battery. Here the study of a Telecom site powered by hybrid
power solution is carried out. The design is done using PVSYST software. The cost analysis of the existing, retrofit and newly
proposed site are done manually as well as with the help of HOMER software, which compares the system based on the net
present cost, cost of energy and operating cost.