Design of Solar Energy Systems for Supplying Power to Remote Communications Centers

Three different load models are evaluated in the context of designing a solar energy system for supplying power to remote communications centers. The loss of power supply probability is used as a measure of performance. The load models range in sophistication from a typical load profile for a communications center based on recorded data to a simple model consisting of just two parameters, namely the maximum and minimum load demands. It is found that the simpler load models are good substitutes for the more sophisticated load model from the design view point. Also, the final design values, based on the loss of power supply probability approach, for a typical solar energy conversion system with energy storage supplying power to a remote communications center are given. The results and discussion presented should be useful to designers of solar energy conversion systems with energy storage.