Solar-wind hybrid power for rural Indian cell sites

Rapid expansion of rural cell phone subscriber base in India is facing some tough challenges in getting the stable back up power for cell sites. Grid power availability is very poor and use of diesel generator is turning out to be expensive with heavy fuel and transportation costs. Use of alternative energy provides a long term viable solution. Solar-wind hybrid power generation system was installed on a typical rural Indian cell site to demonstrate the reduction of fuel consumption by over 90%. Practical implementation and results are presented in this paper along with providing the grid power availability scenario in rural India.