Feasibility study of using solar panels to power BTS or telecommuncation site for cost minimization purposes. Case study: Rwanda

Abstract

Today, Telecommunication services are a valuable tool for socioeconomic development of a nation. Network technology is now used in almost every daily activity and service, aside from communication. Mobile phones connect the users to a mobile web with multiple applications. In Rwanda, citizens use IREMBO platform to request different services like land registration, requesting driving license, check driving test score and so on. The fast increase in mobile communication technology correlates with rise in the number of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS). A BTS telecom site without power supply source cannot work, all equipment become completely OFF, and the users cannot use it. Our effective organization is divided into two power system configurations: on-grid and off-grid sites. To maintain uninterrupted power supply when grid goes OFF or when it is unstable, Diesel Generators (DG) are supposed to run as backup power source on the sites. Although the initial installation cost of a diesel generator is not very high, there are other factors considered that operators suffer from, such as continuous maintenance, increasing fuel consumption resulting in high expenses. In thesis, PVsyst software has been used in simulation, the result shows the fuel cost has been reduced by 90.19%.