Photovoltaic Power Supplies for Telecommunication Systems in Remote Areas

Currently most low powered telecommunication systems (such as VHF radiotelephone systems, high capacity microwave telephone and television repeaters etc.) in remote areas are powered by conventional stand alone power supplies which include: conventional batteries, diesel motor/generator sets and small gas turbines; with associated fuel transportation and regular maintenance costs. With the requirements of reliable, low maintenance power sources for remote telecommunication systems, photovoltaic power supplies are becoming a viable and for low loads (up to 200 W continuous and more) a preferred power supply for remote areas. However, the wide-spread use of pv power supplies for such applications depend on: a) pv system economic competition which includes lowering of solar cell panel prices as well as balance of system components (power conditioning, batteries etc.). b) Improved system design and more field experience under real conditions. The first part of this paper reports briefly the present R & D activities of AEG-TELEFUNKEN in developing pv power supplies for remote communication systems which include the automated techniques for pv panel production using 10 ?? 10 cm² multicrystalline SI-cells as well as optimized component development. The second part gives the description of various systems installed for powering several isolated communication systems such as radio telephone, transmitters and relay stations.